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| ГА РФ, ф. 651 оп. 1 д. 260 л. 3 фото 32 (eavm | Fotki.Yandex) |
Standart Roadstead, Summer 1910
A small guard detachment was assigned to escort the Romanov family on their holiday cruise to the Finnish skerries. We travelled there on the imperial yacht Standart. Halfway into the journey, a seaman was looking for the Grand Duchess Maria. The chefs were cooking meals for the family and she had gone missing. The seaman asked me to help find her but to remain discreet because he was responsible for her safety.
I found Maria below decks weeping at one corner. She apparently had a quarrel with her elder sisters, who called her fat. Wiping the tears from her eyes, I told her she was not fat and offered to carry her in my arms. She was reluctant at first because she feared she was too heavy for me, but I proved her wrong. I carried her up to the main deck and handed her over to the seaman, who escorted her to the dining saloon. Her tears were gone by then.
Maria later asked me to accompany her to the bow section of the ship, where we could enjoy the view of the Finnish coastline. I did not properly introduce myself to her earlier. It was the first time I've ever had a conversation with a grand duchess. She was keen to know about me and was a surprisingly good listener. The sailors would not stop looking at us. After she left, they jokingly accused me of courting her. I hope I have not drawn any unnecessary attention.
While we were ashore on the mainland, I had a chance to lay back comfortably on a bench to gaze upon the stars. It would have been an incredibly beautiful night if only I was alone. Anastasia kept me occupied with her usual pranks and playfulness. Were it not for her, I believe I would be having the time of my life. I know she means well, but she is quite possibly the naughtiest child I have ever met.
I found Maria below decks weeping at one corner. She apparently had a quarrel with her elder sisters, who called her fat. Wiping the tears from her eyes, I told her she was not fat and offered to carry her in my arms. She was reluctant at first because she feared she was too heavy for me, but I proved her wrong. I carried her up to the main deck and handed her over to the seaman, who escorted her to the dining saloon. Her tears were gone by then.
Maria later asked me to accompany her to the bow section of the ship, where we could enjoy the view of the Finnish coastline. I did not properly introduce myself to her earlier. It was the first time I've ever had a conversation with a grand duchess. She was keen to know about me and was a surprisingly good listener. The sailors would not stop looking at us. After she left, they jokingly accused me of courting her. I hope I have not drawn any unnecessary attention.
While we were ashore on the mainland, I had a chance to lay back comfortably on a bench to gaze upon the stars. It would have been an incredibly beautiful night if only I was alone. Anastasia kept me occupied with her usual pranks and playfulness. Were it not for her, I believe I would be having the time of my life. I know she means well, but she is quite possibly the naughtiest child I have ever met.
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