Free Rebel Princess by Evelyn Anthony Page B

announced thickly. “Is that a man’s pursuit? I have given him a girl that any man would be glad to bed with, and he has never even touched her! Oh, I have had them watched, day and night, but they might be brother and sister for all the interest they show in one another.”
    She began to walk about the room, holding on to the furniture to steady herself.
    â€œThey must marry and beget a child. How am I to have peace while the throne depends upon this weakling, idiot nephew of mine? Would to God there was someone else,” she muttered, and the answer followed dismally. “But there is no one.…” She swung round and caught at the back of a chair to steady herself, while the sight of the doctor pulled her together.
    â€œBut why should I torment myself? Peter is backward perhaps, but he is still half Romanov! My sister was hot blooded enough. Once he and the Grand Duchess are married, all will be well!”
    She turned to the doctor.
    â€œHow long before the nuptials? Come now, speak out; when will my nephew be ready for his bride?”
    The physician made what he considered a compromise.
    â€œA year, Your Majesty.”
    â€œSix months!” amended Elizabeth. “And not a moment longer! You may go!”
    Then the Empress seated herself once more and took a long comforting draught of wine.
    Of course Peter and Catherine would produce an heir; she already saw the infant in her mind’s eye and cradled it in her own empty arms. The expression on her delicate face boded ill for the Grand Duke and Duchess if they should disappoint her.
    During the long weeks of his convalescence, Peter moped disconsolately about his apartments in the palace, for he was still too disfigured to appear in public.
    The time passed slowly for him and he spent his leisure hours shut in with his lackeys, drilling them endlessly, or discussing his coming marriage with his tutor, Brümmer.
    As a subject for conversation, his wedding opened up endless interesting conversations with the otherwise taciturn Swede, who waxed most eloquent on the theme of a husband’s rights over his wife. Mindful of his own domineering spouse, mercifully left behind in Sweden, he emphasized the need for a firm hand in dealing with women.
    â€œAlways remember, Highness, the man is the master! Women are inferior creatures and they’re always the better for a good beating. Use your fists and use them often; the Grand Duchess must have no will but yours, and a good blow on the head will do her no harm!”
    Peter listened delightedly; the manners of servants and lackeys to their women suited him exactly.
    â€œVery well,” he thought. “Until now I have always been bullied, forced to come to Russia, to do everything I hated. Even my games at drilling are frowned upon. My gracious aunt has given me a wife for my amusement instead … perhaps it will be entertaining after all, if marriage is indeed what Brümmer says.…”
    His eyes lit up with pleasure at the thought of the superior Catherine cowering under the weight of his fists, and he doubled them in anticipation.
    He need not fear her, or shrink from her. His tutor had taught him something worth learning at last.
    â€œIn the meantime,” added Brümmer, “look about you, Highness. These court bitches would fight for your favors, I tell you. Before or after marriage, no man’s eyes should be turned always on his wife! God above, if I were in your place I know the ones I’d choose,” he muttered.
    Peter accepted this advice too, and promised faithfully to follow it. Excited by Brümmer’s envy, his imagination began to review the ladies who attended at court and whose company he would select instead of Catherine’s. More than company he did not want, not yet, he thought hastily, but it made him feel strong and virile even to pretend; and, perhaps, with a woman who pleased him he might make pretence to reality. At any