He stood looking at her for a long moment, thinking that he loved her overwhelmingly and that now their situation was very different from what it had been previously.
He went into his own room and started to undress, realising as he did so that there was no hurry. There was no longer that terrifying feeling that the sands were running out and any moment might be his or Janeta’s last.
They were safe and free from the menacing fear of being murdered. And free from the danger of an evil woman who had been determined to destroy them.
The Duke stood for a moment at the window and thought that the sun had never been so bright or so gold and then he went back into his wife’s room.
As he climbed into bed beside her, he thought once again that there was no hurry to tell her what had occurred and no fear to make them cling to each other frantically in case the next moment was their last.
He put his arms around Janeta and she gave a little murmur of happiness and moved closer to him.
“It may be cruel of me to wake you up,” the Duke said gently, “but I want to kiss you and tell you how much I love you.”
She opened her eyes and he saw the radiance on her face.
“That is what I want you to say,” she answered. “Every night we are together I think it is impossible to love you more, but now I love you a thousand times more than I did before.”
“Is that true?”
“How can I make you believe it?”
“By loving me,” the Duke answered. “My darling, if only you knew how much it means to me and how much I yearn for your love.”
“As I want yours,” Janeta whispered. “Love me, Hugo – please – please love me. I am yours – and I want to be certain – that you are mine.”
“I will make you sure,” the Duke answered.
Then he was kissing her demandingly, passionately, fiercely and he knew as he did so that he had won his crusade.
He had killed the dragon and now the Princess was his for all time.
He could feel her heart beating against his and he knew that the fire leaping unrestrainedly within himself had kindled a flame in her.
This was love – the love he had so nearly lost – the love that God had given them and which had saved them from the evil that had threatened them.
“I love you! I love you!” Janeta was saying and the Duke could hear the rapture in her voice.
There was no need for words.
As he made Janeta his, not only with their bodies, but with their hearts and their souls, they were joined together by the Mercy of God for all Eternity.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
The Peril and the Prince
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
From Hate to Love
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at num
bers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
THE LOVE TRAP
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2015
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1986
eBook conversion by M-Y Books