I'll pretend, I tell myself. Pretending is safer than believing.
My sisters and I sit together on a pair of suitcases. If we've forgotten anything, it's already too late -- our rooms have all been sealed and photographed. Anyway, Tatiana would say it's bad luck to...
I wish I wasn't an imperial highness or an ex-grand duchess. I'm sick of people doing things to me because of what I am. Girl-in-white-dress. Short-one-with-fringe. Daughter-of-the-tsar. Child-of-the-...
It's different now, like pushing the stop lever on my camera until nothing except the war can squeeze through the lens.
We should be used to it, Tatiana reasons. There have always been lines separating us from the rest of the world, whether they were satin ribbons or iron rails.
Maria cries unashamedly on my shoulder while I whisper and pet her cheek, but Anastasia grips my other hand and stares fiercely back at our Alexander Palace with her wet blue eyes until it is no more...
Guys are always confused by how soft and sentimental they are.
We must all learn to do things we don’t want to do. You may be afraid, but you may not let your fear chase you away from what must be done.
I cross myself and close my eyes. Where we go next, we go together.
Before you decide, pray.
If people would only do me justice that is all I ask, but it seems as if every word I have uttered has been distorted and such a false construction placed on it that I am bewildered. I can't understan...
I spend a lot of time trying to convince myself that nothing really matters except being alive.
Perfect silence is a safe resort, when such control cannot be attained.
I'd like to know how anyone can write the truth about us if we've never met.
How much of what they loved in her was real, and how much was fashioned from what they envisioned her to be?
All our luxuries won't keep some men from dying -- it can only be a matter of time until I see it happen -- but in our lazaret death will creep silently onto the operating table or nestle between clea...
Be thankful for what is given. Caroline heard the words in her mother’s voice. No matter if it is not enough, be thankful.
There ought to have been layer cakes, and cookies, and squiggles of boiled sugar candy, Caroline thought as she sat vigil by the bake oven. Swedish crackers, vinegar pie, dried apple pie. The cabin sh...
A woman can resolve that, whatever happens, she will not speak till she can do it in a calm and gentle manner, she recited to herself as she waited for the flare of temper to ebb. Perfect silence is a...
Like most girls, I want a lot. Fame and fortune. Equal rights. Shoes no one else has. But I'd trade all that in for the perfect guy. (Don't tell me there's something wrong with that. I don't know of a...