“I had a tremendous scolding, Your Majesty, this morning, because you did not open the ball with me and I think it was very unfair that you have got off scot-free!”
The King laughed.
“I am sure because you look so pretty that you will eventually be forgiven.”
“I doubt it!” Stephanie replied.
She did not wait for him to answer, but kissed Princess Olga and then the two girls.
They were all aware that she was in high spirits because the King had not proposed.
Stephanie realised because she was to travel in another carriage that her mother had for the moment accepted defeat.
But that would not mean, Laetitia thought, that the Grand Duchess would give up the chase altogether or perhaps she had another King in mind.
However, Stephanie’s good humour was somehow infectious and, as they si
