Ruled by Love Page 10

  “They do! Of course they do! But as I was never allowed to pay a visit to the City, I never had a chance of seeing or meeting anyone.”

  “You are going to have plenty of chances now.”

  Zoleka hoped as she spoke that it was the truth.

  They bought a great number of items to the delight of the shopkeepers including some very pretty high-heeled shoes.

  As they drove back to the Palace, Zoleka wondered what had been happening while they had been away at the shops and she could only hope that everything had been quiet and peaceful.

  Udele now ran upstairs in order to take off her hat and handed her purchases to her new lady’s maid, who had been engaged for her by the housekeeper.

  Zoleka as well took off her hat and put it down on a chair and then she walked out through a side door into the garden.

  She was feeling, just like her mother had felt when she was worried, that there was nothing more soothing than the beauty of flowers, the soft fall of water in a fountain and the birds fluttering in the trees.

  She walked across the lawn.

  Among the shrubs there was a small cascade falling from the trees behind the Palace. It flowed down through the garden and into the park that surrounded the buildings.

  Zoleka stood gazing at the cascade for a long time.

  Then she decided she must go back and give Udele her tea.

  She only hoped that the Count would come and join them so that she could learn the up-to-date news.

  She turned back towards the Palace and as she did so she saw a man coming across the lawn towards her.

  She thought for a moment that it must be one of the Officers who had been riding with them earlier in the day.

  As he drew nearer she realised that she had not seen him before anywhere.

  He was an exceptionally good-looking man, broad shouldered and taller than most of the men in Krnov.

  Zoleka wondered who he could possibly be, as she stood waiting for him to reach her.

  She noticed that he was not wearing a hat.

  He came nearer still.

  She was thinking that he was undoubtedly one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.

  He had a square forehead and outstanding features.

  She could not tell what nationality he might be.

  He was certainly not Krnovian, nor did he resemble the men of her father’s Kingdom.

  The stranger reached Zoleka, smiled and held out his hand.

  “I am wondering,” he began, “if you are Princess Udele or Princess Zoleka.”

  He was speaking in Krnovian, but Zoleka was quite sure it was not his mother tongue.

  “I was speculating as I saw you approach as to who you were. I am, in fact, Princess Zoleka.”

  The stranger had taken hold of her hand.

  As he touched her she sensed instinctively that he was somehow very different from anyone she had ever met before in her entire life.

  She had an overpowering feeling that this moment was of supreme importance.

  “Please allow me to introduce myself,” the stranger began. “My name is Vaslov and I come from Cieszyn.”

  “Prince Vaslov!” she exclaimed. “But what are you doing here?”

  “I had an idea that I was wanted. I also heard that you were holding a race meeting very shortly.”

  “How could you possibly have already heard the news? Did my father tell you by any chance?”

  She thought even as she suggested this that it was impossible. The information she had sent on to her father with Pieter Seitz could not have reached Cieszyn so quickly.

  “Your father informed me a little while ago that he was very worried about Krnov, so I have therefore, shall I say, kept a close eye on the country.”

  Zoleka drew in her breath.

  “Then you do realise,” she whispered, “how serious things have become here.”

  “They are very serious indeed,” he said gravely, concern written all over his handsome features. “I hear that you have brought a so-called Count with you, and I hope that you will approve of what I am prepared to arrange with him as soon as I can meet him.”

  “Oh, please tell me what that is! The Count is very worried, as I am, and we have been wondering frantically what we can do.”

  “I think I have an answer,” replied Prince Vaslov.

  “You have? What is it?”

  “I have heard of the events that have been arranged for the delight of the Krnovians and I now suggest that you should also hold a Royal Tournament.”

  Zoleka stared at him, uncertain what he meant and he explained,

  “It is what is organised every year in England when the Army gives a display of their ability, not only to march and play their bands but to use their guns.”

  “Now I remember! I have heard my father say how interesting the Royal Tournament in London always is and how much it appeals to the people.”

  “And I think a Royal Tournament will appeal to the citizens of Krnov and will certainly impress those who are peeping maliciously over the border.”

  Zoleka knew exactly what he meant.

  “That is what is worrying us all so much.”

  “I thought it would be. Now, if you can accommodate them, I am bringing three hundred of my best soldiers.”

  Zoleka stared intently at Prince Vaslov as if she could not believe what she had heard.

  “Three hundred!” she repeated.

  “There may be a few more if we count in the band, but I want to ask Count Franz where we can pitch our tents and give an impressive performance to the City”

  “I think you have just saved us,” murmured Zoleka.

  “Your father is so right. Krnov needs saving and it is something I should have been aware of before.”

  “How could any of us have guessed, as we were not invited here, just how bad it is? It was only the new Prime Minister who is aware of what might happen and asked me to come as Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Udele.”

  “I understand he is a sensible and reliable man.”

  “That is just what I think as well and the Count has been absolutely wonderful. At the same time the Army is practically non-existent. But if your soldiers are arriving, then I am sure we are safe at least for long enough to make the Army here more efficient than it is at present.”

  Prince Vaslov smiled at her.

  “I think those I am bringing will be most effective, and there are a great number more who can be sent for if it is absolutely necessary.”

  He glanced around as if he was making sure they were not overheard, before he added,

  “It is important that our enemies should not know we are aware of their intentions. I want them to think that what we are doing is just a celebration of Princess Udele’s eighteenth birthday. In point of fact she is now, as heir to the throne, the most important person in Krnov.”

  “How can you be so astute as to know all this?”

  Prince Vaslov laughed.

  “I keep my eyes and ears open! I am always most curious about what my neighbours are doing, including the very beautiful Princess of Opava!”

  At once Zoleka could feel her face reddening at this unexpected compliment.

  “Papa has often spoken about you and how brilliant you are, but we have never met before now.”

  “I was travelling a great deal until my father died and now I am determined that whatever happens, the Prussians shall not rob us of our freedom.”

  He paused for a moment as if he was making up his mind about something.

  “I think that I should be frank with you and tell you what my solution really is to the problems of Krnov.”

  “Oh, please tell me, Prince Vaslov. I have worried so much about it as I cannot see how Princess Udele, sweet and charming as she is, could possibly rule this country of hers alone.”

  “I am aware of that problem and that is why I have decided to marry her and unite Krnov with Cieszyn! After all our boundaries touch each other.”

&nbs
p; Zoleka stared at him in sheer surprise.

  “You intend to marry Udele,” she queried slowly.

  “I have heard a great deal about her and I am sure she will make a very sweet and admirable wife. In return I will govern this country as well as mine and that will make us perfectly safe from any attempt that might be made by the Prussians.”

  For a minute it was impossible for Zoleka to speak and then she said,

  “Of course if that is what you intend to do, it would certainly be the saving of Krnov. And I am sure that you would do your best to make Udele happy.”

  “I promise you that I will – and now I would like to suggest that I might have the pleasure of meeting my future wife.”

  “You do understand that she has only just come out of the schoolroom? She has not yet met any men except for the very boring old officials of the Palace until we arrived from Opava.

  “Last night was the very first dance she had ever attended and the first party that had ever been given in her honour.”

  “What you are saying is that I must be very gentle with her and not frighten her in any way. I can assure you that I will not rush my fences where she is concerned.”

  Zoleka gave a little sigh of relief.

  “But you must admit,” Prince Vaslov went on, “that it is the logical answer not only for Krnov but for both our countries. If the Prussians take over one of the independent Principalities, they will undoubtedly attempt to incorporate the other two as well.”

  “That is exactly what my father is frightened they will do!” exclaimed Zoleka.

  “So am I. Thus if Krnov cannot rule itself, either he or I will have to rule it.”

  Zoleka threw up her hands.

  “Oh, please, Prince Vaslov, do not give Papa any more responsibility. He has worked so hard for Opava. As you say, your land borders with Krnov and you are young enough to take on both countries at the same time.”

  “I can but try.”

  For a moment neither of them spoke.

  Then Zoleka remarked,

  “I think the Count will be coming in for tea and it is essential that you should meet him. You can then ask him where your men can pitch their tents.”

  “I would suggest as close to the Palace as possible. After all there are two very precious people inside it whom my soldiers are here to protect.”

  Zoleka realised at once that he meant her and Udele and she smiled at the compliment.

  “You are incredibly lovely,” he said unexpectedly. “Why have I not met you before?”

  “You answered that question when you told me you had been travelling abroad and I was at school. Therefore I did not accompany my father and mother on State visits, including when they stayed with your father in Cieszyn.”

  The Prince laughed.

  “A very convincing answer. At the same time I feel I have been deprived for far too long of someone I should have enjoyed knowing.”

  He looked at her, she thought scathingly, before he continued,

  “I was always told that you are very intelligent and now when I hear what you have done since you arrived in Krnov, I realise what I have missed.”

  “It is always possible to make up for lost time, but I just cannot understand how you know so much of what has occurred since I arrived.”

  The Prince’s eyes twinkled.

  “I have my spies as you have yours.”

  “Spies!” exclaimed Zoleka. “Do you mean – ?”

  “I mean,” he interrupted, “that I have been keeping a very careful eye on Krnov for some time. When I heard you had arrived, I recognised that your father had plunged in while I was still hovering on the brink!”

  Zoleka laughed, but he went on,

  “I have reproached myself for being so slow and for not having done anything sooner. I promise I will make up for it now and I do believe my performers for the Royal Tournament, when you see them, will impress you.”

  “You have impressed me so much already and you have given me a delightful surprise, almost as if you had dropped down from Heaven at exactly the right moment!”

  The Prince chuckled as they walked into the Palace.

  Zoleka led the way to the drawing room where she knew tea would be served.

  She was not surprised to find Udele already there talking animatedly to the Count.

  When they entered, he jumped up and when he saw Prince Vaslov, he gave a cry of delight.

  “Vaslov! Where have you come from? I was just wondering whether I should send urgently for you.”

  “I knew that I would be wanted,” he replied, “and I have arrived with a big entourage that I am convinced will delight you.”

  “What is that?” asked the Count.

  “No less than three hundred soldiers to take part in a Royal Tournament!”

  The Count gave a shout of delight.

  “That is exactly what we need. It is just like you, Vaslov, to turn up so unexpectedly and bring me a lifeboat when I have never needed one so desperately.”

  “Well, the lifeboat is on its way and there is room for everyone in it!”

  Prince Vaslov realised as he spoke that Udele was staring at him in astonishment.

  He turned towards her and bowed deeply.

  “You must forgive me, Your Royal Highness, for greeting my old friend Franz before I introduced myself to you.”

  “I know you are Prince Vaslov and I have always wanted to meet you.”

  He smiled at her.

  “You are meeting me now and you are going to see a great deal of me in the next few days.”

  Zoleka had moved to the tea table and was pouring out the tea.

  She was thinking quickly as she did so that it would be a big mistake for the two men to say too much about the Prussian menace in front of Udele.

  As if Prince Vaslov became aware of what she was thinking, he said to her,

  “When I heard of the parties you were giving and especially the race meeting, I decided I was not going to be left out.”

  “I intended to let you know about them,” the Count came in quickly, “but I have been so busy the last two days I have hardly had time to think.”

  “Well, you have time to think now about where you can accommodate my men. Some of them will be arriving late tonight and the rest of them tomorrow morning. They are to take part in the Royal Tournament, which we intend to stage for Princess Udele.”

  “For me?” Udele queried. “How fantastic! I have never had a Tournament or anything like it given for me before.”

  “I think you will find it is the first of many,” Prince Vaslov told her. “And your people here will be extremely impressed, I hope, at what we are arranging for you.”

  “It is so very very kind of you, don’t you think so, Zoleka?”

  “Of course I do, and we are very grateful to Prince Vaslov for arriving just when the Count was beginning to run out of ideas.”

  “You insult me!” the Count protested. “I have a great many ideas still up my sleeve. But I have always been taught ‘one at a time’!”

  “You are quite right,” Prince Vaslov added, “and as your dance was such a success, I am determined not to miss the next one.”

  “It is such a pity you were not here,” said Udele. “It was wonderful, just wonderful! I have never been to a dance before and I enjoyed myself so much I almost cried when it ended.”

  “As we cannot allow you to cry, I will order my friend Franz to arrange a dance every week for you and, of course, there is nothing to stop you dancing in the Palace whenever you feel like practising new steps and look even more beautiful than you do now.”

  Udele’s eyes widened at the compliment and then she blushed very prettily.

  ‘I feel sure he is clever enough to make her happy,’ thought Zoleka.

  At the same time she recalled how she had always been afraid of arranged Royal marriages and she had told her father a thousand times he was not even to contemplate one for her.

  She intended to marry
for love and wanted to be as happy with her husband as her mother had been with her father.

  Her parent’s marriage had not been arranged. In fact her grandfather had had several young women in mind for his eldest son.

  Then her father and mother met by chance one day and they fell in love at first sight.

  ‘That is just what I want to do,’ she told herself.

  She wondered if by any chance Prince Vaslov had fallen in love with Udele as soon as he had seen her.

  She was looking exceedingly pretty in an attractive pink gown that enhanced the darkness of her hair and the whiteness of her skin.

  There was no doubt, now she was properly dressed, that she was a very beautiful woman.

  Of course she was still very young and inexperienced due to the fact she had been kept in the schoolroom and not allowed to meet people.

  She still had the simplicity and unselfconsciousness of a child and Zoleka felt sure this must appeal to Prince Vaslov.

  Equally from what she had already heard about him and from what she felt instinctively, he was a most astute young man.

  He must, she calculated, be getting on for twenty-seven and he had seen a great deal of the world.

  She had always been told that the conversation at the Court in Cieszyn was not only interesting but unusual, quite different from the chitter-chatter so very common in most Palaces.

  ‘Will Udele be able to cope with all that?’ Zoleka asked herself.

  Then she remembered again that Prince Vaslov was very clever and that he would realise at once that he would need to teach his wife what he wanted her to know, as well as to make her interested in what interested him.

  ‘If he does so with love as well as wisdom,’ Zoleka thought, ‘they should be very happy together.’

  Then she looked at the Count and saw that he was frowning and she wondered what was worrying him.

  Nothing could be better than for Prince Vaslov to have appeared and bring three hundred soldiers with him.

  She felt it unlikely if the Prussians were planning to take over Krnov, they would risk a pitched battle.

  She was certain, from what she had heard, that their tactics would be to encroach gradually and subtly into the City of Krnov and at a given moment take over the Parliament buildings and the Palace.

  Members of the Krnovian Government would be shot or imprisoned, and it was more than likely they would do the same to Prince Majmir and his daughter.