Free Imperial Dancer: Mathilde Kschessinska and the Romanovs by Coryne Hall

the fact that they had very different political opinions, Mathilde finally won Blum round and they became such firm friends that the masseuse stopped accepting payment and even agreed to meet Andrei. Blum gave Mathilde a plant, which she succeeded in bringing out of Russia and kept for many years as a memento of the strange friendship between the women – one the mistress of a Grand Duke, the other a personal friend of Lenin.
    In November 1918 the British cruiser Liverpool and the French Ernest Renan anchored off Novorossisk. Almost simultaneously came news of the fall of the German and Austro-Hungarian empires, the armistice and the end of the war. Just before Christmas General Poole arrived in Anapa, with an offer from the British government to convey Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna abroad. The indomitable Grand Duchess refused to leave, believing she was quite safe. He then suggested that Andrei join General Denikin’s Volunteer White Army but Miechen turned down this proposal as well, saying that they had not remained in Russia to take part in a civil war. Andrei had approached Denikin but was turned down. The presence of Romanovs in the White Army was ‘undesirable’. 11
    Queen Marie of Roumania wanted to bring them to Roumania but departure was postponed indefinitely because of the difficulties of travelling. Besides, the Grand Duchess was adamant that she would not bring ‘the harem’ to Roumania, and Mathilde ‘absolutely refused’ to leave Russia without Andrei. 12
    On New Year’s Eve rumours reached Anapa that Grand Duke Sergei and the Romanovs imprisoned with him had been killed at Alapayevsk. Although Mathilde continued to receive messages which led her to believe Sergei was still alive, there was now ‘cruel uncertainty’ as to his fate. 13
    It was not a good omen for the New Year.
    By March 1919 the Bolsheviks were closing in on the Crimea and the Romanovs there (who included the Dowager Empress and her daughter Xenia) were preparing to evacuate. In the Caucasus, to Miechen’s distress, Boris and Zina also decided to leave but no amount of persuasion would induce the Grand Duchess to go. With the fate of Nicholas II, his son and his brother Michael still uncertain, Miechen was ready to sacrifice everything while there was a chance that Cyril could become Tsar. Cyril and his family were in Finland and although communication was difficult, it was certainly not impossible, and it seems that his mother was able to keep in contact. Andrei remained with his mother and beside him was Mathilde.
    Mathilde found two rooms in a priest’s house, one for herself and Vova, the other for Julie and Ali. Father Temnomerov’s son was the same age as Vova. One evening he entertained them with a conjuring show and at Easter he modelled a bust of the Tsar from butter. Less welcome entertainment was provided by killing the many cockroaches and other bugs which appeared every night in the bedroom.
    Early in April HMS Montrose arrived bringing Commander Goldschmidt and an armed escort, sent by the Commander of the Black Sea Squadron. Unsure of whether the port was held by the Bolsheviks or the Whites, Goldschmidt’s orders were to find the Grand Duchess and her son and bring them to Constantinople if they were in danger. Once more Miechen refused to leave, stressing that she would not consider abandoning her country unless it proved to be really necessary. That time had not come. It was arranged that in case of danger someone should telegraph Novorossisk where a British warship was stationed and Commander Goldschmidt would be back within two days. Over tea on the Montrose (an invitation which theGrand Duchess declined because her legs were very weak) Andrei and Commander Goldschmidt discussed whether the Tsar was really dead, or whether the rumours were Bolshevik disinformation. Andrei had no information but the Commander insisted on drinking the Tsar’s health; Andrei later told Mathilde that he had the feeling the British