Granny Dan by Danielle Steel

even reached Tsarskoe Selo, she was exhausted from the emotions of the departure.
    “It's my whole life, you know. I don't know anything else. I've been there for so long, I can't imagine being anywhere else, even for a minute. “ She explained it to him as they rode along, but he already understood it. And as always, he was kind and sympathetic.
    “You're not going to lose anything by being away for a while. You'll get your strength back, Danina, just as you should, and they'll all be waiting for you when you return. And you'll be better than ever. Trust me.” She did, and she was grateful for his support and companionship on the trip. It was so easy being with him. It was easy to see why the whole Imperial family loved him.
    And as soon as they arrived, he settled her comfortably in the little guest house, which was more luxurious than anything she had ever dreamed. The bedroom was done all in pink satin, and the living room was a lovely blue and yellow. There were beautiful antiques everywhere, a kitchen to prepare her meals, there were four servants to take care of her, and two nurses. And half an hour after she arrived, the Czarina came to visit her, and brought Alexei with her, so he could show Danina his card trick. Both of them were shocked to see how hard hit she had been by her illness, and were glad that she had come there to recover. They only stayed a little while, so as not to tire her, and when they left, the doctor went with them. He didn't want to exhaust her either, and he promised to come and see her again in the morning to make sure she was “behaving.”
    It was odd for her, being there that night, without all the familiar people she knew, and the other girls she was accustomed to sleeping near. Despite the luxurious surroundings, she felt lonely. And she was surprised when the nurse came into her room, shortly after settling her in bed, and told her she had a visitor. Dr. Obrajen-sky had returned to see her. It was only eight o'clock, but she hadn't been expecting him again until morning, and she was surprised by the unexpected visit.
    “I was on my way home,” he explained, “and thought I'd come by to see how you were doing.” He looked her over carefully from where he stood, and could see that his suspicions had been correct. She was looking a little mournful. “I had a feeling you might be lonely.”
    “I was,” she confessed sheepishly, wondering how he knew. He seemed to understand so much about her. “I suppose that's silly of me.” She was embarrassed to seem so ungrateful to him.
    “Of course it's not,” he said, pulling a chair up next to her bed, and sitting beside her. “You're accustomed to living in a community of people.” He had seen the room she lived in with five other dancers, and had begun to know many of the others in the time he visited her after her illness. “It's a big change for you being all alone here.” And she was still so young, only nineteen. She was so disciplined and mature in some ways, but extremely protected and childlike in others. And he loved that about her. “Is there anything I can do to make it easier for you?”
    “No, I love your visits.” She smiled at him. The one this evening had particularly touched her, because he seemed to understand exactly what she was feeling.
    “Then I shall have to visit more often,” he promised. It was easier for him to see her now, it was a short walk between her cottage and the Alexander Palace. He knew that Alexei and his sisters were already planning to keep her company, that was their intention, and the whole point of her coming. “You won't be lonely for long, and soon you can go for walks, and go over to the palace, when you're stronger.” She still couldn't walk across the room without assistance. “I predict you will feel better in no time.” She felt foolish suddenly for being lonely. Everyone was being so kind to her. In spite of missing her friends and Madame Markova, she was suddenly glad