“We have had no opportunity, Anastasia, of falling in love with each other.”
“I – I know that,” Anastasia answered, “and – because I think you – love someone else, I would not – want you to – pretend where I am concerned.”
The King stiffened.
“Who has been talking to you?” he asked sharply.
Anastasia did not reply and he said,
“If I thought it was one of my servants – Captain Aznar, for instance – I would dismiss him instantly!”
“No – no, Captain Aznar would not presume to mention such a thing,” Anastasia answered. “I was told that your heart was – involved before I left England.”
“Surely that is impossible!” the King ejaculated. “Who could have dared to suggest – who could have known?”
“That is immaterial. The point is I do know that you – care for someone.”
“And yet you were pre
