With the swiftness of lightning she placed the coin-like weapon on Shakovski’s neck and pressed the little knob.
As he rose, lifting her handbag as he did so, she hid the deadly weapon in her hand.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, “thank you very much.”
“I think that insect stung me,” Shakovski complained.
“I hope you will soon feel better, sir.”
Meta was already moving away as she spoke.
Then, without looking back, she walked towards the waiting room.
As she opened the door, the Prince was standing inside.
“What have you done? Why did you go and speak to him?” he asked her angrily.
Meta closed the waiting room door behind her.
Without answering the Prince she went to the window.
She was sensible enough not to stand too near to it in case anyone should see her.
Shakovski, still standing where she had left him, was rubbing the back of his neck.
Then he turned to walk away from the Prince’s luggage.
As he did so, Meta thought that she must have failed, that Richard had been wrong and the weapon was not as effective as he had thought and that Shakovski was still very much alive.
Then, some feet away from where he had been standing, he quite suddenly fell down on to the platform.
As he was a heavy man, it was with quite a crash.
The Prince realised what had happened and he drew Meta further away from the window than she was already.
‘“What have you done? What did you do to him?” he asked.
Meta merely opened her hand and showed him what lay in the centre of her palm.
“Who gave you that? I suppose it was Richard.”
Meta nodded.
For a moment she could not speak and then she turned to the Prince and hid her face in his shoulder.
“I – have – killed him,” she whispered in a voice that he could hardly hear.
“To save and protect me,” he answered.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her to where they had been sitting.
Now he held her close to him as if she was a child and gently lifted her legs up onto the seat.
He took off her hat and put it down beside her.
“It is all right, my precious,” he said, “you are not to be upset. You have rid the world of a man who was the Devil himself and it is a far cleaner place because he is no longer in it.”
“It was – not wicked of me – because I was – protecting you?” Meta murmured.
It was a question and the Prince said very gently,
“I am very very grateful to you, my darling Meta.”
He could feel her trembling and his arms tightened.
Then he said,
“You realise now that there is no reason for me to go to America.”
If anything could have swept away the feelings that were making Meta tremble, it was this.
“You – don’t have – to go?” she sighed slowly as if she could hardly believe it.
“As far as I know,” the Prince said, “I have no other enemies. And in pursuing me I am certain that Shakovski worked alone so that he could have all the glory of having destroyed me.”
“I – cannot believe – it,” Meta sighed again.
There was a choke in her voice and he knew that she was very near to tears.
He kissed her very gently.
Then he said,
“I am just going to see what is happening, my precious. We are not involved in this and it is nothing to do with us. In fact we have no idea about what happened here.”
He took his arms from her and walked across the waiting room.
He stood back from the window so that he could see without being seen.
Shakovski’s body was now surrounded by porters and a few passengers.
The Prince thought that someone was trying to give him first aid, but he knew too well how ineffective it would be.
Then a Russian appeared.
It was doubtless Shakovski’s servant.
The porters spoke to him and the Prince thought that they were telling him he must take his Master away.
There was obviously nothing that they could do for him as he was unconscious.
The passengers all moved to one side and now the Prince could see that one porter was feeling Shakovski’s heart.
Another man must have asked him if it was beating, but, as he took his hand from inside the shirt, he shook his head.
Then, with some difficulty because he was a heavy man, the porters lifted him up from where he was lying.
They followed the Russians, who went ahead.
They were leaving the platform and the Prince watched until they were well out of sight.
He was now a free man.
He went back to Meta and, sitting down beside her, pulled her into his arms.
“It is all over, my darling,” he said, “you have saved me and now we can go home.”
“Home!” Meta murmured as if she could not believe it.
“We can be married,” the Prince said. “Then, of course, you and I have to find a house where we shall enjoy being together with our horses and, of course, in time our family.”
He said it with a lilt in his voice as if he was singing into the sky.
“Is it true – is it really – true?” she asked.
“You know it is, my precious,” the Prince answered. “Richard and Nathlia will not want us, so we have to get busy. There is so much for us to do, so you just cannot sit here worrying about the past, which has gone for ever.”
Meta gave a little unsteady chuckle.
Then she said,
“Oh, darling wonderful Alexis, our prayers have all been heard and now they have been answered.”
“Completely and absolutely,” he answered. “We have won and we will thank God on our knees for the very wonderful life, my glorious one, we shall have together.”
He drew her to her feet and, picking up her hat, arranged it skilfully on her head.
He gave her a gentle loving kiss and they walked towards the door.
As they did so, it opened and Boris piped up,
“The train is coming into the Station, Your Highness.”
“Too late, Boris,” the Prince said, “we are going home. Find out the time of the next train that leaves for Leicester.”
He knew as he spoke that Boris was aware of what had happened.
He merely replied with a smile,
“That’s good news, Your Highness.”
“Very good,” the Prince replied.
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
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 wonde
rful 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 Protection of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2021
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1995
eBook conversion by M-Y Books