Princess Eugénie’s grandmother, the Princess Katherine, had met her husband-to-be, the Prince Nikolai, at a Ball in Kyiv (Київ; Kiev) in Ukraine. Prince Nikolai came from a poor, but honest family who lived on a small estate on the edge of a Hamlet among the Ural Mountains that is now part of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Neither his family nor that of his wife came from wealth and as a result, they lacked sufficient funds for their children to be presented at Court or spend an extended time in St. Petersburg and take opportunity to find suitable husbands for their three daughters and a wife for their only son, Prince Karl. However everyone enjoyed living on their small estate, and although they lacked finery, none lacked love.

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Her Grace’s parents, Prince Karl and Princess Caroline, met during a rare visit of Prince Karl to St. Petersburg. He first saw his future wife in a large store during a shopping expedition. Caroline was English and was employed by a wealthy family as Governess to their children. She was accompanying the family on the shopping trip in the hope that her presence would control her normally unruly charges. When Prince Karl and Caroline first saw each other, it was love at first sight, and after a whirlwind courtship, he presented the young and charming Caroline to his parents.

Prince Karl’s parents, Prince Nikolai and Princess Katherine, were horrified at first when his son presented the charming young lady since it was their hope that his son would make a better match (i.e., a richer one) to help restore their estate to its former glory since his father and grandfather had allowed it to decline.

But, as Her Grace would say whenever she was in a whimsical and somewhat romantic mood, love conquers all, and she would then add when telling this tale, that her grandparents lived happily ever after despite being as poor as church mice! But she added that her grandfather did eventually restore the estate. After a pause, Her Grace would wipe away a tear from her eye and then sigh deeply!

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Her Grace’s grand parents, Prince Karl and Caroline, were married in the little church on the edge of the forest. They lived on the family’s estate and were overjoyed when each of their four daughters were born with Princess Eugénie being the eldest and followed by Louisa, Mary and Ann. Their daughters were accomplished having been educated by their mother who had once earned her living as a Governess and attempting to educate spoiled disinterested children.

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Naturally Prince Karl was not overly impressed with Prince Anatole’s prospects, since he would remain a soldier and would, no doubt, find himself in situations where he would be tempted by the vices open to him. But he had to admit that the young Prince did sound sincere in his affection for his daughter.

The presence of Prince Anatole and his proposal once again reminded Princess Caroline of her own proposal made by Prince Karl. She was a mere Governess and Prince Karl was as eager and determined to marry her as Prince Anatole now appeared to marry their daughter. She said that despite their own romance being whirlwind, his parents had noticed the love that they shared. And now, they still loved each other and she knew that they would spend the rest of their lives together with joy. Princess Caroline said that she felt that she could not deny her own daughter the same opportunity. Her talk with her daughter had revealed to her that the Princess Eugénie felt the same towards Anatole as she had, and still did, to Prince Karl.  She believed that although she was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world, she loved the young man with a deep and lasting love.

The Prince was taken aback at the words of his wife, but they set him thinking. He thought back to his first meeting with Caroline when she was a Governess and how his heart raced at the thought of her and how he knew she was the one that he wanted to marry and cherish.

The Prince and the Princess spent the remainder of the day and late into the night discussing this matter and had periodically asked their daughter to return several times to answer further questions. With each return, her parents realised more and more the deep passion that burned in their daughter heart.  And now after all their talk, they needed to speak further with Prince Anatole when he returned the following day.

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After Princess Eugénie left her parents alone, Prince Karl and Princess Caroline sat quietly and thought about the decision they had to make. Once they started to talk, they discussed how it would be if they were to agree to this love-match and how it would be if they did not.

From the limited discussions that they had had with their daughter, they knew that her feelings for the young man were deep.  Prince Karl said that he only hoped that Prince Anatole’s feelings were as deep. Princess Caroline said that she knew that were. The Prince smiled at his wife for he had learned long ago that she was an unusual woman with a keen sense for what was true and what was not, and was invariably right in her assessments. Anyway, they knew that their daughter would be heartbroken and would be inconsolable if they did not agree to the union.

The Princess Caroline remembered the pain she felt after her husband’s family said no to their wish to marry. Prince Karl said that he loved Caroline and that he would not give her up. And he did not. And now here they were facing the same situation with their own daughter. She and her husband went against his family and they have had no regrets.

Now if they agreed to the union of their daughter and Prince Anatole, they knew that there would be repercussions – very serious repercussions – since the Grand Duke was not a person to cross and that he would seek revenge on the whole family. They knew that in order for the young couple to have a life without fear, they would need to leave Russia and do so quickly for it was certain that the Grand Duke would pursue them and would most certainly have Anatole killed!

For the couple to venture anywhere in Europe and seek sanction would be tantamount to signing Anatole’s death warrant since the Grand Duke had spies and allies everywhere. But if they were to travel east, it would be a different matter. He had few allies east of The Urals and certainly did not enjoy universal admiration there. Prince Karl had a number of friends living across The Eurasian Steppe and felt certain that there would be many willing and able to help the young couple escape the clutches of the tyrant.

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That night both Anatole and Eugénie felt that their hearts would burst with anticipation at the answer Eugénie’s parents promised to give the next day. Each played out various scenarios as what would take place the following day. When light was first appearing over the trees at the far end of the garden, both fell into sleep which was filled with more images of their loved one.

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The next afternoon found Prince Karl, Princess Caroline and Prince Anatole seated in one of the drawing rooms of the House. Prince Karl questioned the young Prince further on his feelings for their daughter and asked how he would support her and their eventual family. The Prince said that he had some money that his grandparents had left to him and that he was now a Professional Soldier in The Service of The Czar. All very nice the Prince thought should they agree to the marriage and be able to remain in Russia. However the Grand Duke would most certainly seek revenge once he learned of their relationship! He said that should they agree to the union then he and Eugénie would have to leave Russia since he felt certain that the Grand Duke would pursue them and have him killed. Anatole said that he would live anywhere and do any work available, as long as he was with Princess Eugénie.

Finally, Prince Karl asked if he had discussed his marital plans with his parents. Anatole said that he had not since he knew that they would be angered, as they expected him to marry a wealthy member of Court. And so he thought it best not to mention it. He said that he was not especially close with his family – certainly nothing like the relationship enjoyed by Princess Eugénie with her family. He continued by saying that he hardly knew his parents, as his father had always been too busy to bother with his children, much preferring the company of members of the Court and of his Club. And his mother found his presence to be intrusive and bothersome and so allowed governesses and tutors to raise him, although she had expressed some dismay when he joined the army. He said that his parents would certainly be furious with him and probably disown him. But he was prepared for this outcome.

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And now, the Princess Eugénie was sent for and the situation explained to her. She was overjoyed to learn her parents decision and said that although she was sad at having to leave her parents and sisters, it would not be forever. Her Parents and Anatole looked surprised at this remark. Eugénie smiled amid her tears and said that the Grand Duke could not possibly live forever and then they would be free to return! Her parents gave a sigh of relief since they had forgotten this!

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Anatole smiled also, but not for the same reason for he now knew that his dream was going to come true ……. that Eugénie and he would spend the rest of their lives together.

You are Beautiful – Johnny Mathis

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