Nadia struggled back to her feet. The children were up as well, apologetic. They had pressed too far, had been too bold. They had interrupted the countess’s questions, even worse. Viola coldly looked at them in turn. “I expect answers for questions I ask,” she said icily. “Ivan, you should know this, even with the unexpected arrival of your mother.” “Yes, countess,” Ivan said. “Now, how are your studies?” “I’m reading go…well,” he said. “And […]