Page 203 of Snowbound Surrender

“Maxim!”

“You really stole it?” Meredith sounded impressed. “But did the queen not have guards, and…and soldiers?”

“Hundreds of them,” said Maxim solemnly. Anne risked a glance at Meredith, who was utterly enraptured. “But I was pure of heart, and all they wanted were the diamonds. I escaped, and I have been holding onto that diamond necklace ever since, waiting for the beautiful woman who deserved it.”

Meredith glanced up at Anne, and said softly, “And now you’ve found her.”

Anne blushed as Maxim said, “Precisely. The moment I saw your sister, I could see her beauty, but as I have become more acquainted with her, I have seen and felt the real beauty of her heart. We are to be wed tomorrow, and I knew it was time to give her the necklace.”

Meredith stared at the two of them for a moment, evidently astonished at the story. “Is that true?”

Anne squeezed Maxim’s arm. “Of course it is. Why would Maxim make up such a story?”

“Meredith!” The call came from Sir Thomas, who had stepped out of a doorway and was waving at the trio. “Come on now, we must be going!”

“Coming!” Meredith let go of Maxim’s hand, but hesitated before running off. “Was there a second necklace that you stole from the queen?”

“Meredith!”

But Maxim laughed. “No, my child. I did take a bracelet from her jewellery box, and a wise hermit told me the true legend of it – but that is a story for another day. Go to your father.”

Anne smiled as the girl scampered away. “You should not tell her such stories, Maxim.”

“Why not?” He smiled, squeezed her hand. “She is a delightful child, and I like to tell wild stories. You never know, I might have been telling the truth.

Anne laughed. “A Russian queen that lived for hundreds of years? Diamonds in the snow? You, getting past hundreds of soldiers?”

“You do not believe I could do it?” Maxim protested with a smile. “Do not worry, I already have the bracelet wrapped. It was intended to be a Christmas Day present, and now it will be all the more delightful for her, I hope. You are fortunate indeed to have Meredith as a sister.”

Anne’s blood went cold, but Maxim did not appear to need a response. She bit her lip. Was now the time to tell him the truth? But it would hardly help him, and it would certainly not help her.

All the truth would do is confuse him.

“Alexei Dmitry Immanuil Maximilian Konstantinvich?”

They turned around to see a footman standing in the freezing cold, shivering.

“Yes?” Maxim said, clicking his heels and bowing. “That is I.”

The footman handed over a piece of paper without saying another word. Maxim read it, his dark eyes widening as he finished it, and then without saying a word he handed it over to Anne.

She read it carefully.

Alexei Dmitry Immanuil Maximilian Konstantinvich,

You have waited around for long enough, damn you. Come and find me in my rooms, and let us discuss this Czardom you claim.

His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent

When Anne looked up, Maxim was smiling broadly.

“This is the moment,” he said softly, as the footman looked away respectfully. “This is it, Annika. Today is the day that I am confirmed as Czar! And tomorrow, you will marry him.”

Excitement welled up in Anne’s heart, but not because of his latter words. “You really think he will confirm you?”

Her voice had been a whisper, but Maxim had caught every word. “Why else would he want to see me?”

His whole demeanour had changed; the relaxed nature from his story to Meredith had gone and his body was taut with excitement.