Angelique's free hand came over to place itself on top of the hand he was using to pat her other one, delicate fingers gripping him tightly, as though he was a rock in the turbulent sea around her.  "I'm no one's pawn."  She said defiantly, her chin lifting slightly with her words.  "I'm not a bargaining chip to be handed over to the man with the most lands and money."  That's exactly how she felt too.  It wasn't her fault she was born into a noble family, it wasn't her fault she had a cold uncaring father.  It wasn't fair that she should be used as a pawn to further his interest.  She was  a person, she had feelings, needs of her own but none of that had seemed to matter to any one she knew.  She was supposed to sit idly by while others made decisions for her because it was 'expected' of her because of her birth. No!  She had in a fit of emotion tried to assert control of her life by leaving that place, and now found herself once again at the mercy of others, with someone else making decisions for her life.   The unfairness of it all!<br/><br/>She swallowed hard once again, allowing her hand to hold his gently, loathe to relinquish his comforting touch.  "I pray you are right."  Angelique whispered stealing a glance up at the table in which Czar and Czarina sat, hoping that he was as good of a man as the doctor thought him to be.