KIRA STOOD NEXT TO THE PICTURE WINDOW of their Moscow apartment and observed the movement down on the cobbled street. Several carriages passed by along with a horseless carriage. What a funny looking contraption, she thought.
Her smile faded when she spotted a cavalry soldier approach dressed in a white tunic and black pants, similar to Roman’s uniform. Kira held onto the back of a chair to steady herself. As the soldier and horse moved closer, her heart beat faster. He veered his horse towards the hitching post as if he were going to stop and dismount. She dug her nails into the chair. A large carriage passed and the officer tipped his helmet to the occupants inside, then continued down the street. Kira relaxed her stance and exhaled a sigh when she realized it was not Roman.
Alexander took a sip of coffee then placed his cup on the table beside him. “What are your plans today?” He sat back on a gold and white stripped empire style chaise.
Kira ignored his words, still vowing not to speak to her father. Her heels clacked as she walked across the white marble floor. She sat on an ornately carved chair, picked up a book and flipped through the pages.
“I received an invitation to a ball.” Alexander waved the paper at her. “But if you are not speaking to me, I guess I’ll have to decline.” He rested his head on the padded rollback and swung his legs onto the end of the chaise. “I’ve invited Colonel Mikhail Vershinin to join us.”
Kira slammed the book shut hard enough to cause a reverberation. “I don’t want him here. I don’t want see him. And I definitely don’t want to marry him.”
Alexander leaped to his feet. “You will do as instructed young lady. This arrangement was made years ago and his wealth will suit you very well.”
Her anger surged and she felt as though it would explode from all extremities like bolts of lightning. Knowing she could not maintain her argument, Kira rose and rushed out of the room.
Exciting! Will this young woman defy her father? Looking forward to the next post.