As she sat down carefully, she folded her hands primly in front of her. “And your father agrees to your plans? Why would he allow his daughter to be subjected to such misery?”
“Misery?”
“It is not a life for a pampered young girl, Highness. Why would you throw away the life you have for one such as mine?”
“I want to help people. I want to find cures for diseases.” I’d always known that it would be hard, but I had not expected a female doctor to be so hostile. I had expected more camaraderie. More support. “And I am not a pampered young girl,” I said, unable to ignore her bitter remark.
“Don’t believe for a moment that your father’s money and imperial ties will make it easy for you,” she continued. “It’s bad enough if the instructors and the fellow students believe you have received special favors for being a woman. Whether you actually received those special favors or not. And if they believe your papa bought your admission to the university, it will be a thousand times worse.”
“I passed the entrance examination to Zurich on my own,” I said coolly.
She nodded, but did not seem very impressed. “Perhaps you think it will get easier once you hold your diploma in your hand, but that is rubbish. There are more political and bureaucratic hoops to jump through in order to practice here in Russia as a doctor.”
“And yet you intend to practice in St. Petersburg, and not in the country,” I pointed out. “Surely the problems with bureaucracy are greater in the city.”
Dr. Bokova sighed. “Yes, and I am very grateful to his highness, your father, for this opportunity. I am willing to risk the headaches and heartache. There are so many poor women and children in the city that need medical care.”
“I hope the other doctors at the hospital will not make your work difficult,” I said. Secretly, I worried if Papa could do anything about it if they did.
Dr. Bokova shook her head. “That is neither here nor there. There are always trials and struggles.” She actually smiled a little, the lines around her eyes softening. “It builds character, you see.”
I smiled back, hoping that she might be warming toward me. But as she glanced back at the unfinished cathedral, now fast disappearing from our view, my apprehension returned. “Those men out there,” I asked warily, “you said you saw others with the same symptoms in St. Petersburg?”
“Yes. And before that, in Paris.” She looked back at me and started to stand up. “I am sorry, Your Highness, but I should return to my research.”
“In Paris? Can you tell me when this was?”
“Last month,” she said, nodding. “Do not be alarmed, Your Highness. I don’t feel this mysterious disease is contagious, whatever it is. But I do hope to continue my research when we reach St. Petersburg. Rest assured it will not interfere with my duties at the hospital.”
“Of course.”
Dr. Bokova smiled again, stiffly. “Best of luck to you with your studies, Duchess. Are you headed for Zurich now?”
“Unfortunately, no. My parents wish for me to delay my studies one more year and continue at the Smolny Institute this fall.”
Her smile grew warmer. “Do not be impatient. Perhaps the tsar and his ministers will reopen the women’s courses at the Medical and Surgical Academy in St. Petersburg.”
“That would be wonderful, but my father has his doubts.” I stood up, realizing the sun was coming up and my mother might be awake and wondering where I’d gone. “It has been such an honor to meet you. Please don’t let me keep you from your research.”
“Thank you, Duchess.” With a curtsy she returned to her table and her book. And I returned to the Oldenburg car.
Maman was just beginning to stir. She fussed as she climbed out of her berth. “Good heavens, you’re awake early, Katiya. And that sun is so bright. Do draw the curtains for me, dear.”
I had wanted to go back to sleep after my strange dream. However, if I had not gotten up and visited the dining car, I would not have met Dr. Bokova. I realized how fortunate I was to have had that nightmare.
After closing the curtains, I turned around to kiss my mother on the cheek. “Good morning, Maman.”
“Mon Dieu, are we in Kharkov yet? By this time tomorrow, we should be almost home. I shall be so happy to see St. Petersburg again.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “And I’m truly glad you will not be going to Zurich this fall.”
I smiled back at her, choking on the bitter taste in my mouth. I still intended to go to medical school. One day.
CHAPTER TEN
Two weeks later, I discovered my grand duke had been true to his word. As my parents’ black carriage pulled inside the courtyard of the Smolny Institute for Young Noble Maidens, I saw several members of the Order of St. Lazarus standing stiffly at their posts at the front gates. Waxy and expressionless, they stared straight ahead and did not move. They wore the same dark-green and gold uniform as the Order of St. John, except for the medals on their chests. The familiar Maltese cross had been replaced by an oval medal showing a green hand holding a sword. Curious. I couldn’t remember St. Lazarus using a sword. Or having a green hand, for that matter. But the members of the undead order did have a sort of greenish tinge to their pale skin.
Maman did not even notice them. I could not decide whether their presence made me feel safer.
Thankfully, I was able to persuade my mother not to accompany me inside the building. “Do take care of yourself, Katiya,” she said, squeezing my hands in hers as we stood at the front door. “And give my regards to Madame Tomilov. Your aunt Zina and I will be spending the next few weeks in Biarritz. We will come by to visit you when we arrive back in St. Petersburg.”
I kissed her on both cheeks. “You be careful too, Maman.” I did not want the life my mother lived, constantly following the imperial court in its travels endlessly seeking pleasure. Denmark, Finland, France, Peterhof, the Crimea, Tsarskoe Selo. Only the coldest and darkest part of the winter, the social season, was spent in St. Petersburg by the aristocracy.
There were many old friends who were happy to see me at Smolny. Madame Tomilov, the headmistress, was pleased that I’d decided to return. “Some girls do well without the extra year here at the institute, but I always encourage them to make the most of the education we have to offer. Students who complete our entire program leave more polished. You will learn extra court etiquette and gain knowledge about the nuances of St. Petersburg court society. You’ll also acquire a deeper appreciation for our culture.”
I wanted to point out that I probably knew more secrets and nuances about the Dark and Light Courts than Madame Tomilov ever dreamed and, furthermore, that I did not need to know these nuances to succeed in medical school, but I kept silent. I wanted the school year to pass by quickly so I could continue with my own plans.
“In addition,” Madame Tomilov continued, “you will teach two classes a week to one of the lower forms. I realize you did not intend to receive a teaching certificate, but it is traditional that students taking an additional year of the White Form learn pedagogy and begin teaching simple subjects to the younger girls.”
“Pedagogy?” I asked. It was a term I’d never heard before.
“The science of education,” Madame said. “We shall teach you how to teach properly.”
“Of course, Madame,” I said, curtsying and wondering what course I would be required to instruct. I suspected it would not be Practical Necromancy. And I hoped it would not be Geometry.
My favorite instructor, Madame Orbellani, hugged me when she saw me. “We will continue with the Greek and Latin lessons, Katerina Alexandrovna. The more you know, the easier it will be when you do go to university.”