Silver Nights Read Online Free PDF Page B

own turn. “And they are the truth. If you remember those truths, then you will be better able to deal with that world than was your father. No, let me finish.” He held up his hand imperatively as she opened her mouth. “No one means you any harm. This marriage that has been arranged for you is intended for your good and the good of the Golitskov. It will reinstate the family, something that I am too old to do. You must have children, Sophie. The family will die with you otherwise; and you must have those children with a man of equal rank. It is time for you to enter the world. Her Majesty makes it clear that when you leave my house she will take personal responsibility for you until you pass under your husband’s roof. It is a great honor.”
    â€œIt is no honor!” she spat. “It is tyranny, as you know. You would betray me and everything you believe in!” She swung on the count. “I will not go with you, sir.” The door banged violently on her departure; the fire hissed in the draft; the lamp flickered.
    Prince Golitskov sighed, trimming the wick until the flame steadied. “I expected nothing less. It is up to you now, Count.”
    Adam looked aghast. “You are not suggesting I take her away from here a prisoner? You can surely persuade her into acceptance. Or, at the least, use your authority to insist on her compliance.”
    The prince smiled. “ My authority, Count Danilevski? I was under the impression that Sophia Alexeyevna is now under the authority of the empress, and you are the imperial representative.”
    â€œFor God’s sake, man! What good is this going to do your granddaughter? If you have the slightest affection for her, you will make her see the reality of her situation.”
    â€œDo not question my affection for my granddaughter,” said the old man very quietly. “I have done all I can, and I will not hinder you in any way. You forget, perhaps, that I know Sophie rather well. Nothing will be gained by my repeating myself. She must come to see these things for herself. She will do so eventually, because she is a remarkably intelligent young woman. But I do not know how long it will take. If you have the time to remain here for a few weeks, then I am sure you and I together will succeed in persuading her to accept her destiny with good grace. But if you are in a hurry…” He shrugged, and walked to the door. “I am an old man, Count, and seek my bed early. I will see you at breakfast.”
    Adam looked in some disbelief at the closed door. Of all the stubborn, malicious, awkward old bastards! He could not possibly cool his heels in this wilderness trying to cajole that hot-tempered creature to come quietly. But he knew how she felt, had felt the same way himself twelve years ago when, under military escort, he had left his own home and all that was familiar for an unknown destiny in a place of which he had heard only stories to alarm. And Sophia Alexeyevna was going to become the wife of General, Prince Paul Dmitriev.
    The image of his general rose in his mind’s eye. Prince Dmitriev was a martinet, feared and loathed by those under his command. A man who exercised his power without compunction, and who heard no one’s voice but his own. Yet he won battles, and so long as he did so no one questioned the gratuitous waste of life, the methods he used to send terrified troops into certain death. But Sophia Alexeyevna was to be Dmitriev’s wife, Adam reminded himself, not a member of his army. He quashed the uneasy thought that the general seemed to lose wives, rich wives, as indifferently as he lost soldiers in the interests of glory.
    The vodka bottle remained on the side table, and he helped himself, certain that sleep would not come easy this night. He was a soldier under orders. It was not a soldier’s right to question those orders. This princess of the house of Golitskov was going to St. Petersburg under