Rebel Princess Read Online Free

they had to wear masks to protect their faces from the icy air; weeks of traveling under such conditions, with little sleep, tormented by cold, cramp and fatigue, reduced the future Grand Duchess to terror and despair.
    On the 6th February, 1744, the battered procession entered Riga, where the emissaries of the Empress of all the Russias awaited them.
    They were magnificently received, and Johanna found herself lodged in sumptuous rooms in the castle, a train of servants placed at her disposal, the attention of the whole Russian garrison centered on herself and her daughter.
    Elizabeth’s advance reception promised great things, and Johanna accepted greedily the superb furs that were presented to them with the Empress’s compliments.
    But too much delay was not encouraged, and the last stage of their journey began. In the few days at Riga Augusta had been bewildered by the extravagance and splendor she had witnessed, but the most fantastic sight of all awaited her when she accompanied her mother from the castle.
    A train of sledges stood drawn up in the snow, piled high with baggage. A mounted military escort pranced about them, and at the head of the procession stood an enormous golden sledge, covered in crimson. Even Johanna’s haughty airs could not take this complacently, and, her eyes were as wide as Augusta’s own as she was led to the vehicle.
    The sledge was designed as a huge bed, piled with mattresses and cushions upon which the two princesses lay at full length, wrapped in silken coverlets lined with sable.
    Their journey to Moscow was carried through with the maximum speed, but in perfect comfort, and in the last stage, when the city lay seventy versts distant, sixteen horses were harnessed to the royal sledge and it flew over the ice at a tremendous speed, arriving in Moscow within three hours.
    They were driven straight to the Wooden Palace, where Elizabeth and the court were in residence. It was eight o’clock in the evening. Snow was falling steadily from a dark, leaden sky as the Princess Augusta alighted from the sledge.
    She gazed at the great palace, its hundreds of windows ablaze with light, and shivered despite the furs that enveloped her. It reminded her of a picture-book fortress, seen and remembered through nights of childhood fear.
    The interior of the palace dispelled the momentary shadow of oppression, for gracious figures, gorgeously dressed, hastened to welcome them in the Empress’s name. The great staircase was thronged with men and women, extravagantly jeweled and clothed, who stepped aside as they approached, staring at them with open curiosity. With great ceremony they were conducted through the palace to apartments specially prepared for them, lofty, firelit rooms, magnificently furnished. Gratefully Johanna approached the great fire that burned in their bedroom and spread her hands to the blaze. The courtier who had first welcomed them bowed courteously.
    â€œI hope you find these rooms comfortable, Your Highness,” he said.
    â€œThey are charming,” replied Johanna condescendingly, anxious not to appear overwhelmed by her surroundings. The smiling Russian bowed again, but there was just a hint of mockery in his voice as he answered:
    â€œHer Imperial Majesty will be gratified at your approval.… Now, Highness, I have orders for the Princess Augusta to accompany me elsewhere! If you will excuse us!” Without another word he motioned Augusta to the door, and with one startled glance at her nonplussed mother, she obeyed and walked into the corridor.
    â€œWhere are you taking me?” she asked. “To the Empress?”
    â€œNo, Highness,” came the answer. “To the Grand Duke Peter.”
    It seemed an age to Augusta as they walked past many doors, each guarded by a huge uniformed lackey, and her legs were trembling with weakness and excitement. The Russian seemed to sense her nervousness, for suddenly, without a trace of ceremony,