As she and her father ascended the steps of the platform, Lord Warburton moved ahead of them so that he was waiting in front of the Priest.
It was then, as the Service began, that Corena felt that from the Shining Cliffs above them there were not only the eagles soaring overhead but the Gods themselves who had come to be present at her marriage.
She could feel the vibrations from them.
She was sure too, when she and Lord Warburton knelt and the Priest blessed them, that there was a strange light shining on the top of the Temple and enveloping them with its glory.
She knew that it was the light of Apollo and that they had received not only the Blessing of God in whom they both believed, but the blessing as well of the Gods of Greece.
It was nearly dark by the time they left Sir Priam with the seamen who were to dig for him at the Temple of Athena.
The Missionary had returned to wherever he came from and Corena was alone in the little hotel with Lord Warburton.
She had found that the sitting room waiting for them was massed with flowers, which had been picked in the fields around Delphi and came too, she thought, from the marketplace in Crisa.
They scented the air and made the plain little room a bower of beauty.
There was food, which had been cooked by Lord Warburton’s chef from The Sea Serpent.
And champagne, which seemed as golden as the sun that had shone on them as they rode up the long steep path to Delphi as many thousands of pilgrims had done before them.
Corena knew that the Gods were still with them and she was very conscious of them in the silences that fell between her and Lord Warburton.
Her heart spoke to his heart and it was impossible to translate what was being said into ordinary words.
“Papa is so happy,” she managed to say.
“Very happy,’ Lord Warburton replied, “and he told me before we left him that he will not be joining us on the yacht.”
Corena looked surprised and Lord Warburton explained,
“He knows that we want to be alone and he wishes to go on searching for a month or so to find more treasures.”
“He – will be – safe?”
“I will leave two of my best men with him.”
Corena gave a little sigh and replied,
“You are so – kind.”
“I am selfish,” Lord Warburton replied, “because I want you, my beautiful precious wife, all to myself.”
When the Stewards who had waited on them left the room, they were alone.
The stars were coming out in the sky above them and Lord Warburton put his arms around Corena and said,
“It has been a long day, my darling, but I feel it is one that we shall always remember.”
“How could I ever forget – anything so wonderful as – marrying you in the – Temple of Athena?”
Corena dropped her voice because she was shy as she said,
“I was – sure as we prayed that the – Gods had come to the – marriage of – Apollo.”
“And I knew,” Lord Warburton said, “that I had found the real Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love! That is you, my precious, and you will never die because you will live in every one who ever falls in love!”
Corena turned her lips up to his, but he did not kiss them.
Instead he looked down at her and asked,
“How can you be so perfect, so beautiful and at the same time a real woman?”
Then, as her heart leapt at his words, he said fiercely,
“You are my woman, mine completely and absolutely, and I will never lose you, never let you go! We were joined together by the Gods and, as Gods, we will live and love for Eternity.”
“That is – what I want to do – and oh – darling, I love you so completely that it is – impossible to tell – you how much!”
“Why try?” Lord Warburton asked.
He drew her very gently from the sitting room across the narrow landing into the bedroom.
She realised that here too he had transformed a quite ordinary room with flowers.
There was a large bed that had been carved by Greek craftsmen and painted with flowers and animals.
The sheets bore Lord Warburton’s insignia and the pillows were edged with lace. There were white fur rugs on the floor and a silver candelabrum beside the bed that bore his crest.
The windows were open to the night and the stars and moon that shone above Delphi threw their silver rays over them.
It was then, very gently, that Lord Warburton undid the evening gown that Corena had chosen.
Because it was draped very simply in the front, it might have been made for Aphrodite herself.
Then, as she stood looking up at him her eyes filled with moonlight and her love, he pulled out the pins that held her hair, so that it fell over her shoulders.
Her gown slowly slipped to the floor and he stood back to look at her.
She was not shy because for the moment she was not herself but the Goddess he believed her to be.
She knew too that he was not only loving her but worshipping her.
“How can anyone be more beautiful?” he murmured and his voice was hoarse.
He did not move, but went on,
“I am afraid to touch you in case you are, after all, but a dream and not real.”
It was then that Corena found her voice.
“I am – very real, my darling husband – and I love you!”
As if she could wait no longer, she moved towards him.
Then his arms went round her and his lips found hers.
He kissed her until she felt once again as if the valley and the mountains were all revolving around them.
They were part of the Shining Cliffs and the Temple of Apollo and there was nothing else in the world but them and their love.
Lord Warburton lifted her into the bed and, as she lay in the soft silken sheets, she could see the stars of Orion in the sky.
She knew that they would guide her and help her in everything she did and in everything she thought.
Then Lord Warburton was beside her and she felt his arms go round her, his athletic body hard against the softness of hers.
“I love you, my beautiful, perfect little Aphrodite.”
“I worship you and want you, but I am afraid of frightening you.”
“How could I ever be – frightened of Apollo?” Corena whispered. “I am yours already – but, darling, I want to be not only – a Goddess, but your – wife.”
She realised that her words excited Lord Warburton and his kisses were no longer gentle and tender, but fierce, demanding and passionate.
Corena was not afraid as she knew that they were already one in mind, heart and soul.
He kissed her eyes, her neck and then her breasts until she stirred beneath him.
Then, as he made her his, there was a dancing shimmering flame of light, glittering and shining in the air around them.
With it was a mysterious quivering, the beating of silver wings and the whirling of silver wheels.
They were one with the Gods and there was nothing in the whole world but Love.
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
&n
bsp; 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
Too Precious to Lose
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
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
In Love In Lucca
The Karma Of Love
Magic For The Heart
Paradise Found
Only Love
A Duel with Destiny
The Heart of the Clan
The Ruthless Rake
Revenge is Sweet
Fire on the Snow
A Revolution of Love
Love at the Helm
Listen to Love
Love Casts out Fear
The Devilish Deception
Riding in the Sky
The Wonderful Dream
This Time it’s Love
The River of Love
A Gentleman in Love
The Island of Love
Miracle for a Madonna
The Storms of Love
The Prince and the Pekingese
The Golden Cage
Theresa and a Tiger
The Goddess of 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 numbers 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 Goddess of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2016
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953
eBook conversion by M-Y Books