Against a Crimson Sky (The Poland Trilogy Book 2) by James Conroyd Martin

Author:James Conroyd Martin [Martin, James Conroyd]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Hussar Quill Press
Published: 2014-04-24T22:00:00+00:00

“A splendid idea, Anna! We’ll see just who’s come out for this little divertissement.”

The Royal Castle’s interior was unchanged from the last time Anna had seen it. They walked through the Marble Room, where there hung portraits of more than twenty past Polish kings. A sudden pang entered Anna’s heart. Knowing that it was indeed possible there would never be another Polish king, an immeasurable sadness filled her.

Entering the National Hall, Anna felt an even deeper melancholy in this room that was a veritable pantheon of Polish history, its massive canvasses displaying richly important scenes from the interconnected past of Poland and Lithuania. Passing into the Throne Room, Anna relived in just a few seconds the day King Stanisław had surprised her—and hundreds of others—by naming her a princess. She looked up at the king’s dais now, a hundred carved eagles flying against the red velvet backing of the canopy. There the gilt throne stood shimmering in the light of a score of the best bees wax tapers—empty and forlorn.

“Are you all right, Anna?” Zofia asked.

“What?—Yes, fine.”

“You look a bit pale.—Charlotte is supposed to be here. Do help me keep a lookout for her.”

Everyone of the slightest importance in Warsaw and beyond had been invited, and judging by the thickness of the crowd, no one had declined. After about fifteen minutes, Anna and Zofia came across the Potockis in the Great Assembly Hall and were welcomed into their party. Compliments were made all around as to the women’s appearances. Anna was particularly taken by Anusia Potocki’s black velvet gown, a perfect foil for the Potocki diamonds.

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