The Gates of Paradise
THE GATES
OF PARADISE
BARBARA CARTLAND
www.barbaracartland.com
Copyright © 2011 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in February 2011
ISBNs
978-1-908411-74-7 Epub
978-1-908411-75-4 Prc
The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.
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THE GATES
OF PARADISE
Narina went to her room and stood at the window looking out towards the sea.
She was thinking how bizarre it all was.
In a twinkling of an eye she had been transmitted from her quiet home in Hertfordshire to this strange land, where the local people were striving against being overrun by their greedy and aggressive neighbour.
‘They are a small Principality,’ she mused, ‘and very vulnerable.
Is it really possible that the Union Jack in the shape of the wife of the ruling Prince can possibly save them?’
Then it was as if the answer to her question came to her straight from Heaven.
She realised that whatever the cost, Louise, and all those who were so proud of being British would stand and fight – they would defy the enemy and never give in.
Looking up at the sky as the sunshine was turning the garden into a fairyland of intense beauty, Narina prayed that she would play her part, however small, perfectly and without fault –
That God would give her the strength and resilience that Alexanderburg so desperately needed.
THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION
Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.
She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.
Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.
Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.
The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.
The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.
The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to www.barbaracartland.com to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.
If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :
BarbaraCartland.com
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United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1707 642629
Fax: +44 1707 663041
Titles in this series
These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the Where to buy page at the end of this book.
The Cross Of Love
Love In The Highlands
Love Finds The Way
The Castle Of Love
Love Is Triumphant
Stars In The Sky
The Ship Of Love
A Dangerous Disguise
Love Became Theirs
Love Drives In
Sailing To Love
The Star Of Love
Music Is The Soul Of Love
Love In The East
Theirs To Eternity
A Paradise On Earth
Love Wins In Berlin
In Search Of Love
Love Rescues Rosanna
A Heart In Heaven
The House Of Happiness
Royalty Defeated By Love
The White Witch
They Sought Love
Love Is The Reason For Living
They Found Their Way To Heaven
Learning To Love
Journey To Happiness
A Kiss In The Desert
The Heart Of Love
The Richness Of Love
For Ever And Ever
An Unexpected Love
Saved By An Angel
Touching The Stars
Seeking Love
Journey To Love
The Importance Of Love
Love By The Lake
A Dream Come True
The King Without A Heart
The Waters Of Love
Danger To The Duke
A Perfect Way To Heaven
Follow Your Heart
In Hiding
Rivals For Love
A Kiss From The Heart
Lovers In London
This Way To Heaven
A Princess Prays
Mine For Ever
The Earl’s Revenge
Love At The Tower
Ruled By Love
Love Came From Heaven
Love And Apollo
The Keys Of Love
A Castle Of Dreams
A Battle Of Brains
A Change Of Hearts
It Is Love
The Triumph Of Love
Wanted – A Royal Wife
A Kiss Of Love
To Heaven With Love
Pray For Love
The Marquis Is Trapped
Hide And Seek For Love
Hiding from Love
A Teacher Of Love
Money Or Love
The Revelation Is Love
The Tree Of Love
The Magnificent Marquis
The Castle
The Gates of Paradise
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.
“Paradise is a place we would all love to find, but perfection can easily masquerade as an illusion.
Paradise for me has always been to be adored and cherished by a wonderful man who has conquered my heart and my soul absolutely.”
Barbara Cartland
CHAPTER ONE
1880
Narina tore open the letter with a strange stamp that had just been delivered and gave a cry of excitement.
She read it through twice carefully in order to be quite certain she had not made a mistake.
Then she ran down the passage towards her father’s study.
The Very Right Reverend John Kenwin, Bishop of St. Albans, was busy composing his sermon for the next day, which was Palm Sunday.
He was a good-looking man with a deep voice that captivated every member of his congregation.
The third son of a distinguished Statesman, he had gone into the Church, as was the tradition in his family.
He had an outstanding intellect and together with his irresistible charm, he rose rapidly to become a Bishop just after he was fifty, and it was already taken for granted by many that he would be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
His father, Lord Kenwin, had behaved traditionally with all his three sons.
The eldest son had gone into the Life Guards, as had a great number of the men of his family before him. He had been stationed at Windsor Castle.
There he not only guarded Queen Victoria, but had swiftly become a trusted confidant whose advice she often sought.
He married one of Her Majesty’s ladies-in-waiting and now that he was approaching the age of retirement he was a highly respected member of her Household.
The second son of Lord Kenwin had gone into the Navy, where he enjoyed the chance it gave him of seeing the world and had recently been promoted to Admiral.
With such an impressive family background it was not surprising that Narina was exceedingly intelligent.
She had left her school with a prize for practically every subject she had been interested in.
In addition to her brain she was also outstandingly beautiful.
It was not only the beauty of her features that were almost classical in their perfection.
The expression in her eyes was enchanting and her charming manner she had inherited from her father.
When she reached the study door, she opened it very carefully.
She peeped in to see if her father was alone and, as he was, she went in.
Moving quietly up to him, she put her hands on his shoulders and bent over to kiss his cheek.
“Oh, it is you, Narina!” he exclaimed.
“Who else did you think was kissing you, Papa?”
He smiled at her.
“You know I am busy with my sermon.”
“Yes, Papa, but I really had to interrupt you to tell you about this exciting letter I have just received.”
Her father sat back in his chair, realising it must be important or his daughter would not have bothered him.
“It has come by Special Messenger from London – and who do you think it’s from?”
“I am not going to guess,” he replied, “because, as you can see, I am very busy.”
“Then I will tell you. It is from Louise – Princess Louise, now reigning in Alexanderburg.”
“I remember her well, a very pretty girl who I know was your greatest friend at school.”
“I love her dearly, we were always together! Because we are so remarkably alike the teachers used to call us ‘the twins’.”
“And you have just heard from her, Narina?”
He gently prompted her, knowing that if she started reminiscing about her friend Louise, he would not be able to finish his sermon.
“I have not heard from Louise for quite some time and now she has written to me saying it is very urgent and if I love her, I must join her at once in Alexanderburg.”
The Bishop looked surprised.
“Join her at once, Narina?”
“Yes. She did not say why, but just wrote that she needs me and feels certain that I will not fail her.”
“She must have some good reason for begging you to go to her at what one might say is a moment’s notice.”
Narina gave a little laugh.
“Louise was always impetuous, and if she wanted something or someone it was always ‘immediately’. But this really does sound urgent.”
“How does she expect you to travel there?”
“That, apparently, has been arranged. A letter came with hers from the Alexanderburg Embassy in London saying that on Princess Louise’s instructions a Battleship will pick me up at Tilbury and take me to Alexanderburg.”
“A Battleship!” her Papa exclaimed in amazement.
“I suppose a Battleship is faster than other ships – ”
“For such a long journey it could not be better and of course, my dearest, you want to go?”
“Of course I do, Papa. To tell the truth I was a little surprised that Louise did not send for me before. We were so close at the school and when we were both debutantes, we attended the same balls every night.”
“I well remember, Narina, but to be honest I always felt that my own daughter was the most beautiful of the two.”
She gave him a flashing smile.
“Thank you, Papa, that is exactly what I want you to say. Equally you must understand that if Louise really needs me, as she says she does, I feel I must go to her.”
“Then you should definitely go, my dear, it will be a good experience for you to see a part of the world which I unfortunately have not visited myself. But I have always been interested in the Balkans and I would have enjoyed sailing through the Dardanelles and into the Black Sea.”
Narina gave a little cry of excitement.
“Yes, yes, and it will be very thrilling.”
“We will look at it on the map tonight, but for the moment, I suggest, if the messenger is waiting, as I expect he is, that you tell him how soon you will be ready to join the Battleship at Tilbury.
“I presume they are arranging for both a chaperone and a Guardian to look after you?”
“Yes, yes, Papa. Louise says in the postscript,”
“I have arranged for a charming couple from our Embassy to be in attendance on you and they will provide you with a maid to look after you whilst you are at sea.”
“It does seem to me, Narina, that your friend, the Princess, has thought of everything. Thus, my dear, write and tell her how soon you can embark and, as it seems to be urgent, you must not keep her waiting too long.”
“I just knew that you would understand, Papa, and I only wish that you were coming with me.”
“I so wish I could – there is nothing I would enjoy more, but as you know, I have a mass of engagements that are quite impossible to cancel.”
“I am being greedy and asking for too much, Papa, but I would have really loved to have you tell me in your own way about all the places I shall pass as I sail across the Mediterranean and up the Aegean Sea.”
As she finished speaking the Bishop realised that his daughter was not waiting for his answer.
She had moved towards the door.
“I will tell them that I will embark on Tuesday as that will give me time to buy anything extra I require.”
She was gone before he could agree or disagree, so he gave a little sigh and turned once again to his sermon.
*
For the next two days Narina was in a wild state of excitement.
It was not just the thought of the voyage ahead that thrilled her, as she loved travelling, but she was so looking forward to seeing her friend again.
She had missed Louise overwhelmingly ever since she married.
It had been an arranged marriage – Louise was the daughter of Princess Beatrice whose mother was a second cousin to Queen Victoria.
The Queen was very often called ‘the Matchmaker of Europe’ as she had provided a great number of her close relations to be the wives of Balkan rulers.
It was no secret that the Russian leaders were determined to enlarge their Empire, which was already enormous, and to do so they had begun taking over small Principalities attached to Austria, Moldavia and Rumania. Besides these there was the temptation of the even smaller Principalities of Bosnia, Serbia and Eastern Roumelia.
Their strategy seemed to be to discover where a Ruler was too weak or old to competently carry on and then provoke rebellions amongst the people. They could then move in, claiming that their intervention was necessary to ensure peace.
The only countries they dared not touch were those that were entitled to fly the Union Jack.
As a consequence Queen Victoria was constantly beseeched by foreign diplomats to send a British Royal wife for the protection of their reigning Prince or King.
Only Her Majesty, they assured her, could preserve their country against the aggressive Russians.
Apart from this, as the British were well aware, the Russian Cossacks were spreading out over Asia, gobbling up Caravan towns and Khanates, thus shortening the miles between Russia and India.
Narina had heard all this from her Papa, but she had not been in the slightest worried about her friend Louise. She was sure that she would be well protected.
Louise had been fortunate in her arranged marriage.
As she had told Narina in the first letter she wrote, her husband was a charming and delightful ruling Prince whom she had fallen in love with at first sight.