A Miracle of Love Read online

  A MIRACLE OF LOVE

  BARBARA CARTLAND

  www.barbaracartland.com

  Copyright © 2012 by Cartland Promotions

  First published on the internet in January 2012 by Barbaracartland.com

  ISBNs

  978-1-78213-135-9 Epub

  978-1-78213-136-6 Prc

  978-1-78213-137-3 Pdf

  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.

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books

  A MIRACLE OF LOVE

  The Prince steered the gondola further down the Grand Canal and then turned into one of the side canals.

  There were great houses rising from the waters on one side and on the other side less fashionable houses with a yard in front and on these grew bushes and flowers.

  There was no other gondola on this canal and the Prince stopped to admire the flowers.

  Flowers were always a part of Venetian life even though there were no gardens like his at the Palace.

  Then he decided he would move on. As he did so, he was suddenly aware that at a large house just ahead of him that overhung the water there was someone at one of the windows on the second floor. It was a woman.

  She appeared to be leaning out of it dangerously.

  He thought that she must have dropped something into the water below and so she was peering out in the hope of spotting it.

  Then to his utter astonishment he saw that she was climbing out of the window. She was holding tightly onto a rope that appeared to be fastened to something inside the house.

  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

  Camfield Place

  Hatfield

  Hertfordshire

  AL9 6JE

  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

  A Lucky Star

  A Heaven on Earth

  The Healing Hand

  A Virgin Bride

  The Trail to Love

  A Royal Love Match

  A Steeplechase for Love

  Love at Last

  Search for a Wife

  Secret Love

  A Miracle of Love

  Love and the Clans

  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 h
ave 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.

  “When I fell in love with the love of my life, I fervently believed that I had been blessed by God and that our love would go on for ever – not just for this life but for many other lives yet to come into Eternity. And you know what – I was right!”

  Barbara Cartland

  CHAPTER ONE

  1845

  Prince Nicolo of Vienz rode his horse up to the front door of the Palace and dismounted.

  There was a moment’s pause before a groom came running from the direction of the stables.

  “Your Royal Highness be back here early,” he said breathlessly.

  “Yes, I know,” the Prince replied, “but I think this horse is going lame on its left leg. Tell Petre to see to it.”

  “Very good, Your Royal Highness.”

  The groom took the horse slowly away and the Prince walked into the Palace.

  “Your Royal Highness is back early,” one of the equerries piped up, having hurried into the hall when he saw him appear.

  “As I have already been told,” the Prince answered rather sharply. “Where is Her Royal Highness?”

  “She is in the garden, Sire. I think Comte Ruta is showing Her Royal Highness the lake.”

  The Prince nodded.

  He walked towards the side of the Palace which led into the garden, thinking as he did so that he should last night have suggested to the Princess that she might like to ride with him in the morning.

  He had been so bored over dinner that he had not actually considered what would happen the next day.

  Princess Marziale of Bassanz had arrived yesterday with an entourage of Ladies-in-Waiting and a Countess to chaperone her.

  The Prince had felt hostile from the very moment they stepped into the Palace.

  He had fought against his Government, his relatives and even his own people in his determination not to marry.

  Eventually because of the number of revolutions that had taken place in Principalities around him, he had yielded to the urgent request, as such a marriage would unite Bassanz – quite a large independent country – with his own and make them both stronger.

  Vienz had managed to remain independent while revolutions or annexations had taken place in many States in that part of Northern Italy since the defeat of Napoleon.

  The Prince had often thought it was Napoleon who had upset everything and so it was difficult for the smaller States and Principalities to continue on their own.

  The larger countries bordering Vienz were greedy and Austria particularly had been a menace for a long time.

  The Prince felt that his Prime Minister was being over-anxious and yet he was well aware that a tie between Vienz and Bassanz would surely make them both stronger.

  At the same time he had no wish to marry anyone.

  At twenty-seven he was enjoying life enormously.

  On his father’s death he had reigned for the last five years in Vienz and he had his own ideas and they were forceful ones of all he could do for his country.

  He was very conscious that the people he ruled over admired him and were willing to follow him, but he had been obliged to listen to endless bleatings that he should marry and produce an heir and many younger sons.

  “It is no use leaving it too long, my dearest,” his grandmother had said with tears in her eyes. “Supposing something happens to you – although I pray to God it will not – you know as well as I do, there is no one competent to take your place.”

  “I am well aware of that,” Prince Nicolo replied. “Equally I can hardly imagine any heir, if I had one, taking over the country and being able to rule it for at least the next twenty years.”

  He was speaking sarcastically but his grandmother added quite seriously,

  “Of course the Prime Minister and the Cabinet will do that. But it would make sure of the continuity of our family. As you well know we have now reigned in Vienz for over three centuries.”

  “Hanging on at times by the skin of our teeth,” the Prince countered jokingly.

  However his grandmother still looked worried.

  “I grant you there have been anxious moments, but the family has survived and that is what you must ensure for the future.”

  If it was not his grandmother, then it was the Prime Minister. He was very able but a nervous man who always anticipated the worst.

  “I don’t like what I hear is happening in Austria,” he had said not just once but a hundred times to the Prince. “We are as strongly armed as it is possible to be, but one never knows what might happen.”

  “Of course we don’t know,” the Prince said rather irritably, “but our Army is enormous in comparison with other small independent countries and the Austrians are well aware of it.”

  “What we really need is that Your Royal Highness should take a wife. And on looking around I am certain that Princess Marziale has the most to offer you.”

  “I have never seen or met the Princess and I have no intention of marrying a ‘pig in a poke’,” the Prince replied caustically.

  “She is reputed to be good-looking and charming, and she is also, I am reliably informed, very popular with her own people.”

  The Prince did not feel that was exactly what he desired in a wife and it would be a great mistake to raise the hopes of the ruling family of Bassanz and then cry off at the last moment.

  But it was impossible for him to go on fighting.

  Finally he had agreed to invite the Princess to stay at the Palace so they could at least get to know each other.

  He had meant it to be a purely social visit, but then needless to say, the Prime Minister, all his relatives and everyone else of consequence in Vienz thought differently.

  They looked on it as a direct suggestion from him to the Princess that they should be married although he protested that it was only to be a friendly meeting of two neighbours.

  But the Statesmen on both sides assumed that the purpose of their meeting was to decide the date for their wedding.

  The Prince felt he had been caught in a trap from which it was impossible to escape and his situation made him not only apprehensive but extremely bad-tempered.

  He had enjoyed a number of affaires-de-coeur with charming women and they had known from the start that it was quite impossible for him to marry them.

  And they had therefore enjoyed being with him, not because he was a Royal Prince, but because he was a very handsome man.

  He for his part found that however attractive these women were sooner or later he grew bored with the liaison.

  This was because he was exceptionally well-read and he therefore found it tiresome to be with a woman who never read anything but social gossip in the newspapers or a few rather sickly love stories.

  He had gone from one casual love affair to another and by the time his family found out that there was a new face in the Palace, the lady in
question had usually left the country.

  ‘When I take a wife,’ the Prince had often thought, ‘I want someone I can talk to about the affairs of State and discuss the problems of keeping my own people happy and content.’

  He rather doubted from what he had seen of the ruling families in other States that this was possible.

  Of course he had been invited to stay with the other Rulers of neighbouring States, large and small, and he had found that most of them were extremely dull. Also he felt that they were not doing enough for their own people or for the development of their countries.

  In the back of his mind was always the fear that Austria would gobble them up, as had happened to many smaller States in the past.

  What was worse, the daughters of the Rulers who were paraded in front of him as soon as he arrived were in most cases dull, plain and badly educated young women.

  It was of course a universal practice that the men must have the best education possible, while the daughters, both of Royalty or aristocracy, should be content with a governess, who knew little more than themselves.

  The result was, the Prince found, that while the young Princesses looked at him with admiring eyes, they had nothing to contribute to the conversation nor had they any knowledge of what was happening in the world outside their own countries.

  ‘How can it be possible,’ the Prince used to ask himself as he went home, ‘that I could listen day after day and year after year to such idiotic conversations as I have endured in the last few days?’

  But when he returned to Vienz he had to listen again to the pleading that he should put a wedding ring on some plain but Royal young woman’s finger.

  Immediately, according to them, she would produce a brilliant heir. An heir who would follow him when he was no longer capable of ruling his country himself.

  “The whole idea is rubbish from start to finish,” the Prince raged, but no one would listen to him except his valet, who was paid to do so.

  All his protests fell on deaf ears until finally he was forced to invite Princess Marziale to pay him a visit.

  He tried to make it very clear it was only a matter of a friendly meeting and that there was no suggestion of anything more.