A Royal Love Match Read online

  A ROYAL LOVE MATCH

  BARBARA CARTLAND

  www.barbaracartland.com

  Copyright © 2011 by Cartland Promotions

  First published on the internet in August 2011 by Barbaracartland.com

  ISBNs

  978-1-908411-94-5 Epub

  978-1-908411-95-2 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.

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books

  A ROYAL LOVE MATCH

  Then Clive walked down the stairs and Alissia went with him.

  She held his hand all the way down the stairs.

  When they reached the front door, he bent down, and picking Alissia up, kissed her on both cheeks.

  “You are a very brave and lovely young girl,” he sighed. “I do so hope when you are a little older we will meet again.”

  Alissia put her arms around his neck and hugged him.

  “I am so glad that Nanny was so clever and saved you by putting Mama’s cap on your head.”

  “And you gave me your hair, Alissia. As I think it has brought me luck, I am taking it away with me in my pocket as a very special keepsake of a very special young lady.”

  Alissia giggled.

  “I like to think of you doing that.”

  “I will put it away in a safe place and if I am ever in trouble again, I will expect you to come and save me.”

  “I would love to,” answered Alissia coyly.

  He kissed her on the cheek again.

  Then he swung himself onto his horse.

  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

  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 refe
rred 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.

  “All the most beautiful paintings and sculpture, all the most inspiring poetry and all the most uplifting music comes from only one source and that is Love.”

  Barbara Cartland

  CHAPTER ONE

  1651

  The nursery was filled with sunshine.

  Nanny was sitting at the table ironing the ribbons that decorated the nightcap her Mistress wore at night.

  Seated in the bay window, Alissia, aged nine, was making a drawing of flowers from the garden that were prettily arranged in a vase in front of her.

  She intended to paint a particularly special picture as a birthday card for her mother who she adored.

  Elizabeth Dalton, however, was not very strong and she had to spend a great deal of time in bed.

  She was sleeping at this moment, which was one reason why Alissia was upstairs with Nanny.

  They had already been out for a walk in the garden, enjoying all the beautiful flowers and planning a surprise for her mother’s birthday.

  Their house was on the other side of the river Avon from Pershore, a village in the County of Worcestershire, famous for its large Abbey.

  Elizabeth Fenwick had lived there all her life and when her father died the estate became her inheritance.

  It was only a few months before his death that she met Bruce Dalton who was roving around England.

  She was to learn later that he was a Scot.

  He was, although no one was aware of it, reporting back to Scotland concerning the strength and location of Oliver Cromwell’s Regiments in the South of England.

  However, when he first saw Elizabeth he lost his heart – as well as his ambition to undermine Cromwellian rule.

  In the House of Lords in 1649 the Monarchy had been abolished and Cromwell’s Army had forcibly ejected a large number of Members of the Long Parliament from the House of Commons.

  And early that year the King of England, Charles I had been tried by Parliament and executed in London.

  It was two years later that Oliver Cromwell was named Lord Protector.

  With Scotland subdued and largely in the hands of the all-powerful Ministers of the Presbyterian Kirk, he set about trying to give his Government a civilian rather than a military aspect.

  Bruce Dalton found himself increasingly popular with the people of Worcestershire and he learnt that many of them wanted to bring back the Stuarts who they looked on as their rightful Rulers.

  As soon as Elizabeth became engaged to him, her father died, leaving her the house and the estate on which she had been brought up since she was a baby.

  Bruce was frightened now he was happily married that his identity would be discovered by the Cromwellian troops as they were always nosing about looking out for trouble.

  He had called himself Bruce Dalton and it was in that name that he was married to Elizabeth.

  He was, however, although it would have been a great mistake for anyone to find out, the second son of the Earl of Dalwaynnie.

  The Earl was known to be an admirer and supporter of the Stuart Kings and it was essential, if Bruce was to remain in England, that no one should find out that he was his father’s son.

  He was completely and blissfully happy with his beautiful Elizabeth.

  The only sorrow was that they only had one child, Alissia, who was now nine years of age.

  Their family life was very quiet and there had been no obvious difficulties to overcome.

  Bruce had been so happy he had almost forgotten his beloved Scotland.

  Soon the supporters of the Stuart King in Scotland decided to seek the restoration of Prince Charles, the only son of Charles I, now aged just eighteen, to the throne in London.

  They had recognised Charles Stuart as their King in Scotland immediately after the execution of his father.

  Bruce had been sent moving descriptions of him from his relations,

  “He is a tall man – dark, slim and graceful,” they wrote. “He is charming to meet and we are all thrilled by his courage.”

  They finished by saying,

  “We are determined that he should be recognised as our lawful King, and you must help us, dear Bruce, in every way you can.”

  They wrote more fully to him month by month.

  Prince Charles had agreed to sign the Covenant, swearing to establish the Presbyterian Kirk in England.

  He had arrived in Scotland in April 1650, managing to avoid the ships of the Commonwealth and landed at the mouth of the River Spey.

  The news of Prince Charles’s arrival had made the Council of State in London determined to invade Scotland before a Scottish Army could march into England.

  Nine months later Bruce received a letter to say that the Prince had been crowned Charles II at Scone near Perth on 1st January 1651.

  It was where all the Kings of Scotland had been enthroned for centuries.

  Finally Bruce was informed that in July the Prince was marching South with an Army of thirteen thousand men, English and Scottish, to lay claim to his inheritance.

  While Bruce was still wondering what he should do about it, the Prince had advanced as far as Worcester.

  Bruce had managed in the last few years to become friendly with the local supporters of Cromwell.

  But now he was in a dilemma.

  Every drop of his Scottish blood told him that he should join up with Prince Charles and fight for him as he would have done had he been in Scotland.

  But Elizabeth was ill and could not leave her bed.

  His beloved Alissia was only nine.

  How could he leave them alone and unprotected to join Prince Charles at Worcester?

  Yet he knew it was what he should do.

  While Bruce was worrying over this problem, torn by his love for Scotland, his own country, and yet tied by his position in England, the battle started.

  Prince Charles understood, Bruce knew, that he was seriously outnumbered by the serried ranks of the Army of the Commonwealth.

  ‘What on earth am I to do? What the devil am I to do?’ Bruce asked himself a thousand times.

  Yet he knew, however much he loved Scotland, his duty lay with those who were dependent on him, his wife Elizabeth and his daughter Alissia.

  *

  Upstairs in the nursery the maid, Mary, brought in the afternoon tea on a tray.

  “Is there any news, Mary?” asked Nanny eagerly.

  Mary put the tray down on a side table and started to lay a cloth over the table where Nanny was working.

  “They’re all sayin’ as things be very bad,” replied Mary. “And the men be praying that Prince Charles will escape ’cos if ’e’s taken prisoner there’s no doubt they’ll kill ’im like they killed ’is poor old father.”

  She spoke with a bitterness that made Nanny look quickly towards Alissia.

  Then she said to Mary in a whisper,

  “Be careful what you say. Children have long ears and, if they’re questioned, it’s best they don’t understand the danger of what they says.”

  Mary nodded to show that she understoo
d.

  Then putting the tray down in front of Nanny, she went out of the room.

  “Come and have your tea, Alissia,” called Nanny.

  “I’ve very nearly finished drawing these flowers,” answered Alissia, “and when I paint them I do hope Mama will be very pleased.”

  “I know she will, and you paint very well indeed, dearie, she’ll be right proud of the card you’re makin’ for her birthday.”

  “I wonder what Papa will give her,” Alissia mused, getting up from her seat by the window and walking across the nursery. “Last year he gave her a gorgeous brooch and she was very very pleased with it.”

  “Of course she was, and I would expect she’ll have somethin’ even prettier this year.”

  Nanny started to pour out the tea for herself.

  Alissia had a cup of milk and helped herself to the honey sandwiches that cook had made for her.

  “If Mama was well,” said Alissia, “we could have a lovely party. But Papa told me last night he thought she was too weak for one this year.”

  “She must take great care of herself. I’m sure in a day or two she’ll be sittin’ out in the garden and then you can paint some of the flowers there when you’re with her.”

  “She must not see my birthday card until Monday,” insisted Alissia.

  “No, of course not,” agreed Nanny.

  As she spoke the door opened and Mary said in a voice which sounded strange,

  “The Master says you’re to ’ide this ’ere gentleman, Nanny, and ’e says that Cromwell’s men are not far behind ’im.”

  Nanny jumped to her feet.

  Coming in through the door was a man wearing the uniform of a Scottish soldier.

  He was in a dishevelled state and there was blood running down over the fingers of his left hand.

  He was a young man and not much older, Nanny guessed, than eighteen or nineteen.

  He was very tall and good-looking and seemed to tower above Nanny as she exclaimed,

  “You’re wounded, sir!”

  “It is really only a slight scratch,” the young man answered. “But my horse was shot from under me. I am Clive More. I have managed to escape, but I don’t think they are far behind me.”

  “Then come in here, sir,” Nanny urged, opening the door of her bedroom. “Undress quickly and get into that there bed.”