“We will come back with you,” Rudolf proposed with the emphasis on the first word.
The Lord Chamberlain hesitated.
“Perhaps, Your Majesty, it would be wise to let people think that you have been staying with friends and, if Her Royal Highness returned to England for three months – ”
“No!”
The monosyllable interrupting the Lord Chamberlain seemed to ring round the small room.
“I know what you are trying to say, Lord Chamberlain,” Rudolf went on, “but I will have none of it.”
Zorina turned towards him and, raising her head, said in a whisper
“Perhaps – he is right and it – would be best for you.”
“No,” Rudolf stressed again. “We will return together to the City and we shall tell the people the truth.”
Both the Lord Chamberlain and Zorina looked at him in astonishment.
“The – truth?” Zorina questioned.
Rudolf looked down at her and she saw to her surprise that there was a twinkle in his eyes.
“All the world, and certainly the people of Leothia, enjoy a love story and ours will give them something to talk about for a very long time!”
He saw that Zorina still did not understand and he went on,
“We fell in love with each other, my darling, when I was in England.”
He hesitated as if feeling for words before he continued,
“Because you thought that you must obey Queen Victoria and marry the King of Leothia, you came here with the intention of carrying out what had been asked of you only to find, as I did, that love is stronger than duty, prestige or a Throne.”
Zorina could not take her eyes from him and she was aware that the Lord Chamberlain was listening intently as Rudolf went on,
“We did run away and we were married by Father Augustine, who was once the Cardinal of Archam. And we were determined to give up our Royal rank and then live together as an ordinary married couple.”
The Lord Chamberlain gave a little exclamation, but he did not interrupt as Rudolf went on,
“The people will understand that, because they need us, my wife and I are giving up not only our honeymoon but our plans to live quietly and incognito.”
His voice rose a little as he continued,
“In fact we will be making great sacrifices for our country. I know, when they hear the whole story, that everyone in Leothia will appreciate it and be delighted for us.”
He went on,
“I can imagine nothing more calculated to take their minds off the horror of what has just occurred than that a Coronation should take place as soon as possible.”
There was a note of laughter in Rudolf’s voice as he ended,
“After all Her Royal Highness Princess Zorina was sent by Queen Victoria to marry the King of Leothia and that is exactly what she has done!”
“Oh, Rudolf – you are so – clever.”
There were tears in Zorina’s eyes as she whispered the words.
The Lord Chamberlain laughed before he said,
“May I say, most respectfully, Sire, that you are exactly the sort of King who is needed desperately at this moment in Leothia.”
He turned to Zorina and added,
“And no country, ma’am, could have a more beautiful Queen.”
“I think now,” Rudolf suggested, “you should bring in the other gentlemen you have with you, Lord Chamberlain. And my wife and I will offer them whatever refreshment is available.”
The Lord Chamberlain bowed and then backed respectfully towards the door.
As he disappeared, Rudolf put his arms around Zorina.
“We have won, my darling wife! We have won!” he cried. “How could anyone have imagined in their wildest dreams that our Fairy story would end like this?”
Tears were running down Zorina’s cheeks, but she murmured,
“You will be the most – handsome King in the – whole of – Europe.”
Rudolf laughed as he kissed her.
Then they heard footsteps outside and she hastily moved away from him.
There was fortunately two bottles of wine in the cupboard as well as a tin of coffee and Zorina made cups for the Gentlemen-in-Waiting who had come with the Lord Chamberlain.
They had brought two spare horses with them.
As one of the horses had a side-saddle, Zorina realised that the Lord Chamberlain had been remarkably perceptive and astute.
Only when she was alone with Rudolf for a moment in the beautifully decorated bedroom, where they had slept for two unforgettable nights, did she say,
“I am so glad – my darling husband – that you will not have to – leave your own country and that you will now reign – over it.”
She hesitated and then whispered to him,
“At the same time I am – afraid of leaving our – happiness behind in this – enchanted place of love.”
“We will take our enchantment with us,” Rudolf suggested. “And we will also come back here again soon.”
“When?”
“The moment I can get away,” Rudolf replied. “After all even a King is entitled to a honeymoon.”
“Can we really do – that?” Zorina enquired.
“If I am a King,” Rudolf laughed, “I intend to have my own way. And nobody, not even my wife, shall stop me!”
He kissed Zorina until the bedroom, with its carvings and white rugs and the sunshine coming through the blue-curtained windows, seemed to whirl dizzily around her.
She could feel her heart beating against his and she sensed that once again he wanted to make love to her.
“Darling Rudolf – they are – waiting for us,” she urged him.
“I would like to make them wait,” he answered.
His voice was deep and a little unsteady,
“We must – go.”
Reluctantly he took his arms from her.
Then, as she wrapped the pretty chiffon scarf over her head, he took her cloak from the cupboard and, as it was too hot for her to wear it, he carried it over his arm.
The horses were waiting, but Rudolf would let no one else lift Zorina into the saddle.
As they then rode down the steep twisting path between the trees, she looked back and thought that perhaps she was leaving her sublime happiness behind her.
Then, as they reached the valley and Rudolf was still by her side, she knew that nothing mattered except that they were together.
There would be difficulties, there would be problems and there would undoubtedly be times of apprehension, but love would conquer them all.
The road widened and now she could see the roofs of Archam and, high above the City, white and beautiful against the blue sky, there was The Royal Palace.
It seemed impossible to believe that she was going back to a place that she had left in the depths of utter despair to die.
But now she was feeling very different.
She knew that Rudolf would do everything that Great Britain wanted from the King of Leothia.
He would do everything in his power to strengthen and galvanise his country and thus help to preserve the Balance of Power in Europe.
And above all he would love her.
Their love was too great to be questioned or changed wherever they went or whatever they did.
She was thinking of this as Rudolf turned and gazed at her.
Riding a superbly bred horse and wearing her white gown with her chiffon scarf, she looked like an enchanted Goddess who had stepped down from Mount Olympus to be with mere mortals.
Their eyes met and Rudolf said to her, so that no one else should hear,
“I adore you, my perfect, wonderful little bride. This is a new adventure we are starting out on together.”
The way he spoke told her that in his mind this was exactly what it was.
Zorina felt her heart leap towards him.
As her spirits rose, she laughed with sheer exhilaration because everything seemed so dazzlingly enthralli
ng.
Then, as they rode on and she knew that Rudolf was as thrilled as she was, she was thanking God for all He had given them.
She was also praying that she and her beloved husband would have sons, several sons to ensure the succession of the Monarchy of Leothia and the progress of the country under their love and dedication.
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
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
Alone in Paris
The Earl Rings a Belle
From Hell to Heaven
Love in the Ruins
Crowned with Love
Love is a Maze
Hidden by Love
Love is the Key
A Miracle in Music
The Race for Love
Call of the Heart
The Curse of the Clan
Saved by Love
The Tears of Love
Winged Magic
Born of Love
Love Holds the Cards
A Chieftain Finds Love
The Horizons of Love
The Marquis Wins
A Duke in Danger
Warned by a Ghost
Forced to Marry
Sweet Adventure
Love is a Gamble
Love on the Wind
Looking for Love
Love is the Enemy
The Passion and the Flower
The Reluctant Bride
Safe in Paradise
The Temple of Love
Love at First Sight
The Scots Never Forget
The Golden Gondola
No Time for Love
Love in the Moon
A Hazard of Hearts
Just Fate
The Kiss of Paris
Little Tongues of Fire
Love Under Fire
The Magnificent Marriage
Moon over Eden
The Dream and the Glory
A Victory for Love
A Princess in Distress
A Gamble with Hearts
Love Strikes a Devil
In the Arms of Love
Love in the Dark
Love Wins
The Marquis who Hated Women
Love is Invincible
Love Climbs in
The Queen Saves the King
The Duke Comes Home
Love Joins the Clans
The Power and the Prince
Winged Victory
Light of the Gods
The Golden Illusion
Never Lose Love
The Sleeping Princess
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.
An Adventure of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2019
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1988
eBook conversion by M-Y Books