“I understand,” Xenia said in a low voice, “and thank you, Mr. Donington, for being so frank with me.”
“If I have said anything to perturb Your Royal Highness, you must forgive me.”
“I asked you for the truth and I am glad that you have been so outspoken.”
“You are very gracious, ma’am,” Mr. Donington bowed.
When she thought over what she had heard, Xenia told herself that it would be a disaster for the King to lose his throne and for Luthenia to cease to be independent.
Her mother had talked to her about the previous King, who had been a friend of her grandfather’s. She had said that of all the small countries in the Balkans in her opinion Luthenia was one of the most beautiful.
“There are high snow-capped mountains, Xenia,” she said, “fertile valleys, silver rivers running through
