Her voice broke.
Then the Marques was kissing her fiercely and demandingly, as she so wanted him to do.
Only when they were both breathless did he say,
“My precious one, why are you so poor? Could you not have gone to England? I cannot believe your relatives would not have looked after you.”
“I once suggested it to Mama after Papa died – but she claimed that her father would – never forgive her for having caused such a scandal.”
Felicita lowered her voice.
“Queen Victoria was to have been represented at her Wedding, loads of presents had all arrived and there were two younger members of the Royal Family among her bridesmaids.”
The Marques laughed and it was a very happy sound.
“I can see, my darling, that your mother flouted all the conventions of British protocol and I admire her for her bravery more than I can ever say.”
“I wish Mama – could have – known that!”
“I am sure she does,” the Marques commented quietly.
He saw the happiness in Feiicita’s eyes and he knew that it was because she loved him and was so grateful to him for being so understanding.
Her mother had felt that the advantages of becoming a Duchess were of no consequence beside the emotions of the heart.
That was what he understood.
It was what he felt himself and he had been prepared to many Felicita whoever she was.
Even, as the Duchesse had revealed, nothing but a Portuguese pedlar.
He realised now that, with his grandmother’s help, Felicita’s Stratford relations would undoubtedly welcome her into the family.
What was more, Felicita would grace her traditional place at the Court of King Carlos.
Because she was so unspoilt and so unsophisticated, she did not understand.
He had, however, no intention of letting her realise the difference that this would mean to her in the future.
He had been prepared to protect her from any of the problems that might arise because she was his wife.
At the same time it would have been impossible to avoid them completely or for her to be saved from the spitefulness of envious tongues and the chatter of jealous women.
Like Felicita the Marques said a prayer of gratitude.
He had mocked at his father for being so insistent that the woman he married must be worthy of his name and her blood as good as his own.
Nevertheless he could understand his pride.
It had made the Marques Juan marry an English Noblewoman while he still loved Inès.
Felicita was saying,
“Mama received a very small income from her grandmother, which kept us from starving while she was alive.”
She gave a deep sigh.
“But that ceased when she – died.”
The Marques bent forward to kiss her again, saying as he did so,
“All you have to think about tonight, and now this is an order, is that you love me and tomorrow we will be married.”
His voice deepened as he said slowly,
“We will begin a life of such happiness in our enchanted Palace that our love will reach out to help other people to become as happy as we are.”
“That is – what I want to do,” Felicita said. “Promise me you will not – vanish in the night and – leave me alone.”
“I promise you that I shall be here in the morning,” the Marques smiled, “and after that we will be together by day and by night for always.”
He kissed her very gently, then, rising to his feet, he kissed both her hands.
“Goodnight, my beautiful wife-to-be,” he said, “and God bless you, as already He has blessed us both.”
Felicita gave him a shy little smile.
Then, as he went from the room and closed the door behind him, she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
‘Thank You – God – thank You,’ she prayed over and over again.
Then she added a little secret wish.
‘Please, Mary, Mother of God, give us sons who will be as fine and as handsome, kind and gentle as he is so that the people who look up to The Palace will be inspired by those who own it as they are by Your Holy and Blessed Son.’
*
Felicita and the Marques were married at noon the following day.
The small Private Chapel was attached to the East Wing of The Palace.
The only witnesses was the Marques’s secretary, who had been with him for many years.
There were two young servers standing by the Altar to assist the elderly Chaplain.
The fragrance of incense mingled with the scent of the arum lilies that filled the Chapel.
Felicita wore the same white and silver gown that she had worn the first evening she had come to The Palace, the evening when the Marques had fallen in love with her and she with him.
Over her head, but not over her face, she wore an ancient lace veil that had been in the family for several centuries.
Her wreath was of real orange blossom, made for her by The Place gardeners and she carried just a few perfect Madonna lilies in her arms.
When she came into the Chapel, there was the soft sound of organ music filling the air and the Marques was waiting for her.
He thought that she might have stepped out of one of the stained-glass windows and was a Saint or an angel.
Yet, as she slipped her hand into his, he could feel that she was human.
He loved her with all his heart and, although it was something he had never expected, also with his soul.
After the Marriage Service was over and they had received Holy Communion, they knelt for the Blessing.
Then both Felicita and the Marques felt a sudden blazing light in the Chapel.
It was not sunshine but something very much more brilliant and so vivid that they were almost blinded by it.
It was the Blessing of God.
They walked out into the garden, where the sun was shining down on the fountains and Felicita knew that their love had transformed The Palace into a very special Paradise.
As the Marques had said, it would bring happiness to a great number of people besides themselves.
After luncheon a carriage carried the Marques’s grandmother away to her Villa near the sea.
They were alone and the Marques took Felicita out onto the terrace.
“In a few minutes,” he said, “we are going upstairs for our siesta. But first I want you, my darling, to look down from our Palace in the Clouds and tell me that you are happy to be here and that you are no longer afraid.”
“I shall – never be – afraid as long as – you are with – me.”
Far away in the distance she could see Lisbon.
She felt, although it was impossible, that she could see too the little house where she had lived with her parents.
She moved a little nearer to the Marques as she sighed,
“Sometimes I wish that – you were not so – important or so rich – so that I could show you that I love you – just as a man.”
She put her head against his shoulder.
“If we had to live – as you say – down below – I would look after you – and, of course – love you just as much – if not more than I do now.”
She saw that the Marques was moved by what she had said.
As his arms tightened around her, he said,
“Do you suppose, my precious, that I do not know? But I still like to hear you say it. Our love is greater than poverty, greater than privation and far greater than anything else in the whole world!”
He touched her hair gently with his lips before he went on,
“The first time I brought you here you said it made you feel as if you was God, looking down on the world that you had created.”
His voice deepened,
“That is what I feel. I have battled against strange and unexpected difficulties to find you and at last you are mine!”
There was fire in his eyes as he add
ed,
“What are we waiting for? I want, my precious, adorable little wife, to teach you about love and there is a great deal for you to learn.”
Felicita drew in her breath.
“As you say – my wonderful magnificent husband what – are we – waiting for?”
The Marques gave a little laugh.
Taking Felicita by the hand, he drew her back through the salon and up the stairs.
When they reached her bedroom, the sunshine was streaming through the windows in a golden light.
Because it was so lovely, she felt as if it filled her heart and flickered through her body.
Then, as she turned towards the Marques, she was in his arms.
He was kissing her fiercely, wildly, passionately.
She could feel the sun burning on his lips as it was burning in her breast.
“I – love you – I love you!”
She said the words in her mind, in her heart and in her soul.
Then there was only the sunshine, which had turned to flames, the Marques’s arms, his lips – and him.
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
The Runaway Heart
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.