Chapter 18 The Garden“Dmitri, Aerys, you won t be having lessons today,” Zinaida announces at the breakfast table. I glance up from my blini with barely concealed irritation. My reading last night and waking up early to study Russian have put me a mite bit behind on sleep, and hearing that one of my few pleasures is being taken away for the day hardly improves my situation or my mood.
“Whyever not, Mother?” Dmitri asks, no doubt sensing my disgruntled aura and choosing to handle the situation before I make some snarky remark.
“Because today we will be hosting a ball to celebrate your engagement, and you simply must spend the day practicing for a few minor ceremonial things and getting ready.” The look on Zinaida s face is a blissful picture of the rosy imaginings flitting through her min
