Happy Choice

By Olga Kryuchkova

Imperial Russia. End of the 19th century. Estate near the city of Pskov. The Matveev family and the Rogozin family go to the Matveevo-Orlovo estate for a joint vacation. They intend to have a great time, and at the same time bring Pauline and Anatoly Rogozin closer together. The men plan to devote time to duck hunting and fishing in a special hunting lodge on Reeds Island. Women intend to relax and enjoy the local beauties. And Pauline and Anatoly, in the opinion of their parents, should get even closer and also visit Reeds Island. But, alas, the plans of the venerable families were thwarted. Pauline went on a horse ride alone. Paulina's stallion was frightened by the bird and rushed towards the neighboring estate. Pauline was already preparing for the worst when Peter, the nephew of a landowner neighbor, came to her aid. A chance meeting with Peter changed the course of subsequent events.
Nevertheless, Paulina and Anatoly went to Reeds Island, as their parents had planned. However, the young people never reached the island. What happened to them?
Who will Pauline give preference to Anatoly, whom she knew from childhood, or fearless Peter?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Mar 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215756348

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

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Olga Kryuchkova

Love Mysteries Book Series

Happy Choice

Book 3

Cover Design: Cover Generated by AI (Stable Diffusion, NightCafe)

1898, St. Petersburg, The Russian Empire

The long-awaited Saturday was approaching, when guests were to come to the house of the Matveev couple. The Rogozins were well aware of the purpose of this meeting. The purpose of the meeting was not only to meet up with old friends, but also to renew his acquaintance with Anatoly Pauline.

In a private conversation between Antonina Petrovna and Mrs. Rogozina, the ladies came to a unanimous agreement: Pauline and Anatoly became adults. And they, as parents, need to think about the future fate of their children. Of course, as befits a respectable mother, Mrs. Rogozina praised Anatoly: he is smart, handsome, amiable with young ladies, well educated. And most importantly, Anatoly Rogozin is the only heir to a huge fortune.

Antonina Petrovna with a smile on her lips listened to the praises lavished on Anatoly, without doubting them at all. She wanted to see Pauline in marriage as Mrs. Rogozina.

However, Mrs. Matveeva-Zabrodina firmly decided that there would be no wedding without her daughter's consent. It's almost the twentieth century in the yard. And you can't force a girl to marry. In addition, she perfectly remembered her first unsuccessful marriage.

Antonina Petrovna also liked the fact that Mr. Rogozin Sr. was expanding his trade ties and his extensive affairs required a permanent representative in Dresden. Mrs. Rogozina did not hide, but on the contrary, willingly told Antonina that her husband had acquired an excellent estate in the vicinity of Dresden. In reality, by German standards, the estate was a small well-kept castle that once belonged to Baron von Klein. The castle was surrounded by a park designed in the best traditions of landscape design and many outbuildings.

Mr. Rogozin Sr. filed a sales contract with the further expectation that Anatoly will marry, certainly settles in a German castle and will control the supply of goods from Germany, as well as from France to St. Petersburg.

Therefore, the Rogozin family accepted the invitation to dine in a mansion on the Furshtadskaya Street with joy and optimism.

Ah, mother! exclaimed Anatoly, who learned about the invitation. I have no doubt that Pauline has become a lovely adult young lady. How many years have I not seen her?

Three years. While you were studying in Germany, but if you remember...

Yes, yes, mother! You can tell me that before studying in Germany I avoided meeting Pauline. Alas, I was young and stupid! Now I have a completely different mood. I, like you, consider Pauline to be a very suitable bride from a respectable family.

We should give her a present. Have you thought about it? asked Mrs. Rogozina.

Of course! And what does she like? What is she interested in?

I don’t know exactly. I think Pauline is a very serious girl. Although, however, as far as I know, she attends lectures at the university as a free listener.

Really? And what does she show interest in at the university?  Anatoly was curious.

It seems Pauline is not indifferent to ancient history and archeology.

Anatoly never ceased to be surprised.

Wow! She is a versatile girl with a wealth of spirituality! This requires a special approach.

I totally agree with you. So think about it: what kind of key is needed to the heart of the beautiful Pauline.

On the same day, Anatoly went to Sytin's trading house, where he could buy any book.

He turned to a sales girl who was talking to customers and finally freed herself.

I am listening to you, sir! she said. Can I help you?

I really hope you can help me. For I need to make a present to a young well-bred girl who is fond of ancient history and archeology.

She wondered.

Hmm... I know what you need. Recently, the trading house received a book by Heinrich Schliemann Ilion about the excavations of ancient Troy. This is an excellent German edition in Russian with a lot of photographs by the author himself and sketches by his wife Sophia Schliemann.

Perhaps this is what I need.

The sales girl brought Schliemann's weighty work. The book was in a sturdy cover made of genuine leather with gold embossing.

Please, sir: twelve rubles.

Anatoly paid off immediately.

Could you nicely pack the book?

Of course! the girl took a beautiful sheet of special wrapping paper, deftly wrapped Schliemann's work in it, and tied it with a scarlet ribbon.

Having received a work on the antiquities of Troy, and even packed in a completely marvelous way, Anatoly decided that he was quite ready to meet Pauline.

***

As Saturday approached, Pauline felt herself starting to worry. Of course, she was not yet attracted to Anatoly as a man, but she remembered him well. Even in his youth, he was a rather attractive, tall and strong young man. Over the years, she liked this type of men. She involuntarily remembered the insidious Gregory Veniaminov, mentally comparing the two young people. But... The comparison was not good, because she had seen Gregory quite recently, and, alas, had not met Anatoly for three years.

But unexpectedly, Pauline realized that Gregory and Anatoly were somewhat similar. But how exactly they are similar, she could not understand? Maybe they are similar in appearance? Perhaps, for both of them were stately, tall