Contrary to myself: chapter 8

Adeline? - the young prince's eyes widened in surprise. “How did you end up here?” I've already rummaged through all the rooms, trying to find you. Father does not like being late to the table, you know!

“I just ... went to the garden, wanted to pick flowers,” the girl replied, finally catching her breath.

“So in a hurry that I forgot to do this?” Where, let me know your bouquet? - Michelle incredulously squinted.

Lord, she seems to have really dropped the bouquet in the garden! Adele frowned in annoyance. Go to the mysterious gate once again she had no desire.

“What happened, Adele?” Her brother asked in a serious tone. “You look scared.”

“It is,” the girl nodded. “I think I just saw someone in the garden.” Maybe it was a thief, I did not make out. He hid in the bushes at the fence, and then ran away through the gate. We need to tell the guard to lock her, Michelle. Maybe you tell the officers yourself? If we tell papa, he just tears them apart, you know.

Michelle smiled at the little sister’s face: maybe, of course, Adele and the most spoiled girl in the world, but with all her egoism, she has a good heart.

- So be it, I will do everything myself. And you finally go to the table, otherwise the father will tear us to pieces instead of his officers, ”the young prince grumbled, pushing his sister to the door.

      Trying to give her face the most complacent and calm expression, Adele hurried after her brother to the large, elegantly furnished dining room, where their father was waiting for the head of the long table.
      Prince Andrey Alekseevich Vyazemsky was fifty years old at that time. He was a tall, stately man, quite attractive in appearance, he kept his fair-haired hair almost untouched by gray hair, which made him younger than his years, and the prince's brown eyes were still distinguished by a sly, boyish brilliance.
      In a word, he enjoyed absolute success with the noble ladies of London, being a coveted trophy for hunters for husbands and merry widows. What can I say, even many married ladies did not mind reducing him ... a closer acquaintance, but Andrei Alekseevich held himself in his hands and never tarnished himself with defamatory ties.
Seeing his beloved daughter, whom he did not really see during her nightly arrival at the mansion, the prince got up from the table and extended both hands to her.

- Bonjour, chérie. You look beautiful, my dear! I missed you so much! ”Said the prince and gently pressed Adele to himself.

- Merci, papa! I missed you too! - the princess smiled, taking a laid kiss on the cheek and answering her father the same.

“But for me, therefore, no one missed you,” Michelle said in a mockingly offended tone.
In response, the prince kindly patted his son on the shoulder and smiled.

“Of course, Michel, I always miss both of you.” But you don’t want me to kiss you like a boarder? He asked slyly.

      Breakfast was held in a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. Prince Andrew shared with his children the immediate plans for their submission to the court, as well as to London high society.
Many invitations to dinner parties, balls, picnics, and home performances have been received at the Prince’s mansion almost every day since the light learned that the children of the most mysterious and unapproachable Russian diplomats in Britain would come from Russia to England.
      Everyone was interested to look at them, in addition, the young prince and princess Vyazemsky were half British on the maternal side and belonged to the powerful family of the Rutlands. The old Duke of Rutland, who had recently celebrated his eightieth birthday, although he was still quite peppy, was already wondering which of his many relatives he would leave the lion's share of his huge fortune.
      Since the duke’s son died while still very young and did not leave offspring, and the only daughter died in Russia, it was the duke’s grandchildren, Mikhail and Adeline, who could well be considered the main applicants for the inheritance. This, of course, could not please the numerous nephews and nieces of the old duke, who were already asleep and saw themselves as owners of the ducal title.

      Adeline tried to listen carefully to her father, but from time to time her thoughts again returned to the mysteriously open gate in the garden. It seemed to the girl that she miraculously escaped danger this morning. She could not explain to herself why such a hunch was connected, but the disturbing sensation did not pass.
      Someone was watching her, hiding in the bushes. How now to go out into the garden? Can't she even feel safe even at home?
However, Michel promised to make sure that the gate was closed. So, with her everything will be in order, so there is nothing to cheat yourself.