A Sacrifice for Love
A SACRIFICE FOR LOVE
BARBARA CARTLAND
www.barbaracartland.com
Copyright © 2007 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in June 2013 by Barbaracartland.com
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The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.
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A Sacrifice for Love
Henriet was wiping away her tears.
“What am I to do – Caterina?” she asked again in a broken little voice. “I never thought – anything like this would ever happen to me.”
“I did not expect it to happen either,” Caterina said. “All I can suggest is that you meet the Duke and perhaps you will find him not as horrible as you think he will be.”
“If he was the Archangel Gabriel,” Henriet replied, “he would still not be Fritz and Fritz is the only man who has ever mattered or will ever mean anything in my life.”
She spoke sincerely and Caterina knew it was true.
At the same time she was thinking wildly how she could possibly help her friend.
How she could prevent her, as she feared she might do, from trying to commit suicide rather than marry the Duke. She was quite certain, because she knew Henriet so well, that it was something she really might do.
Other people would talk about dying, but had no intention of killing themselves.
But Henriet was impulsive and she had given her heart and, as she said, her soul to Fritz Hofer.
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Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.
Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible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 :
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Telephone: +44 1707 642629
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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
A Shooting Star
The Winning Post is Love
They Touched Heaven
The Mountain of Love
The Queen Wins
Love and the Gods
Joined by Love
The Duke is Deceived
A Prayer For Love
Love Conquers War
A Rose in Jeopardy
A Call of Love
A Flight to Heaven
She Wanted Love
A Heart Finds Love
A Sacrifice for Love
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one o
f 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.
“I have always believed in true love and dreamt about the tall handsome man who will sweep me off my feet and we will live happily ever after, but I can assure that when true love finally comes to you it is always far better than the dreams.”
Barbara Cartland
CHAPTER ONE
1879
Princess Caterina took the note that the servant was presenting to her on a silver salver and opened it quickly.
There was very little for her to read, just the words,
“I must see you. Please, dearest Caterina, come to me at once.
Henriet.”
She read it through twice before she said to the servant,
“Tell the groom who brought this letter that I will come to the Palace of Istria as soon as possible.”
The servant bowed and hurried from the room and Caterina wondered what could possibly be the trouble.
Was there perhaps some crisis? Princess Henriet of Istria was her great friend.
But as they lived in separate, though neighbouring Provinces, Caterina usually only ever went to the Palace of Istria when she was invited.
Princess Henriet had not sent for her for some time and, as she knew that she would have to stay the night, she hurried upstairs and instructed her lady’s maid to pack her a suitcase.
“Will Your Highness be staying for long then?” the lady’s maid asked.
Caterina shook her head.
“I don’t think so, but put in an extra dress or two in case I do.”
Then she walked downstairs to write a note to her father to tell him that she was going to Istria.
Prince Otto was not of great political significance and he was seldom asked to the Palace and was therefore delighted when his daughter received an invitation.
“I don’t know why Henriet requires me,” Caterina wrote to him, “but you will understand, Papa, I must stay for as long as she wants me.”
With the note finished, she ordered a chaise to take her to the Palace.
Then she changed out of her dress into something smarter and which had a really attractive hat to go with it.
Princess Caterina was exceedingly pretty.
In fact, she resembled her mother, who was now dead and was hailed as one of the most beautiful women in Austria. It had been a great surprise to everyone when she married Prince Otto, who was not considered nearly senior enough for her.
However, the Emperor of Austria had given them his blessing without making any difficulties.
Theiss was a small Principality with a large and impressive Palace and Prince Otto and his wife were happy in it, making the garden a picture of flowers.
They also rode on the best horses the Prince could afford over what was now his domain on succeeding his father to the throne.
When Caterina was born, they were thrilled and delighted to have her, although the Prince had, of course, hoped for a son.
Unfortunately there seemed to be no chance of any other children and so they gave Caterina all the love and attention that she might have had to share with brothers and sisters.
She had grown up, becoming more beautiful year by year and her mother was soon discussing with her father where they would find a charming but influential husband for their precious daughter.
“There is plenty of time for that,” the Prince said, “and you know, darling, whoever I may suggest, you will demand someone better!”
His wife had laughed and kissed him and for the moment they forgot Caterina’s future and thought only of themselves.
She was perfectly happy with her father’s horses and the dogs which were allowed in the house. Other people kept dogs in kennels, but her parents wanted their dogs with them and they were as much a part of the family as their delightful daughter.
When her mother died unexpectedly one really cold winter, Caterina realised that her father was broken-hearted and tried in every way to fill her mother’s place.
Aged eighteen she was running the Palace for him and she chose the special dishes he enjoyed with the chef.
She rode with him and learnt to fish and shoot, so that she could accompany him when he was alone.
Fortunately, as he was very popular and extremely charming, Prince Otto had a great number of friends and they too tried to make things easier for him after he became a widower.
Caterina arranged all his dinner parties and, as her father loved her so much, she was hostess even when he entertained only his men friends.
It was a strange life for a young girl, but, as she was very intelligent, it made her understand others older than herself, besides enabling her to keep up with conversation, because she read so many books and newspapers.
It was not surprising that Henriet, the Princess of Istria, should turn to her when she was in trouble.
A great number of people asked Caterina for her advice and Henriet seldom took a serious step without her guidance.
It was because Caterina was so keen on learning so many subjects that Henriet had agreed that she must learn them too and her father had engaged the very best Tutors.
They had both learnt French from a teacher who taught them to speak in Parisian French and he instructed them so perfectly that when they visited France no one guessed for a moment that was not their mother tongue.
They also had a German Tutor and then finally an English one and, when he left, he boasted that they were both perfectly fluent.
“No one in England, if you ever go there,” he told them, “will think that you are foreigners.”
But Caterina had not seen so much of Henriet lately as she had when they were both younger.
This had not particularly disturbed her, except that she was very fond of her friend and rather missed spending much of her time in the Palace at Istria.
“I expect,” her father said, “Henriet now has so many suitors that she has little time for her girlfriends.”
Caterina had laughed.
“I was thinking the same, Papa, and, of course, as she is very pretty besides being of such social significance, I should imagine that all the unmarried heirs to a throne are considering what benefits they would obtain from having an Austrian bride.”
Prince Otto had looked serious for a short moment before saying,
“I think the answer to that is that they are afraid of having too many.”
“Too
many, Papa?” Caterina enquired.
“Austria has been becoming so strong lately that a great number of European countries are afraid of her and I think the Emperor has frightened quite a number of them.”
Caterina was aware of the political situation, so she had merely remarked,
“Then I hope that Henriet finds someone she really loves.”
“I hope so too, but you know as well as I do, my dearest, that, when Royalty marry, they must think of duty to their country rather than the person they are marrying.”
Caterina knew this to be true and she hoped to see Henriet soon and hear if any were approaching her.
She drove away in a comfortable carriage drawn by four perfectly matched horses.
She thought that perhaps Henriet had been asked to marry the heir to some throne and if so, she hoped that it would be a country whose language they had so diligently and painstakingly learnt.
She drove through the beautiful countryside with the sun shining on the lakes and trees and as she did so she was trying to think of which country would wish to be affiliated with Austria.
Henriet’s father was a nephew of the Emperor of Austria and this meant it was a matter of great importance when it came to the marriage of his daughter.
Unfortunately there were, at the moment, very few Crown Princes who would be acceptable to the Emperor and Caterina found it difficult to think of any Prince of the right age whom the Emperor would approve of.
There was no one in Holland and the Russians had a great number of Princes, but none of them was a direct heir to the Czar.
The same applied in Germany where the children of the reigning Monarch were hardly out of the nursery.
‘It’s not going to be easy,’ she thought to herself. ‘Perhaps I am just imagining that is the reason why Henriet has sent for me. In fact I may find that she merely wants me to help her choose her clothes or maybe attend a ball.’
Then she decided to wait for the information when she arrived.
The Palace was looking magnificent in the golden sunshine and the garden, although not as beautiful as her own at home, was ablaze with colour.
The carriage drew up at the front door.
To Caterina’s surprise, Henriet ran down the steps to greet her.