An Adventure of Love Read online

  “We will come back with you,” Rudolf proposed with the emphasis on the first word.

  The Lord Chamberlain hesitated.

  “Perhaps, Your Majesty, it would be wise to let people think that you have been staying with friends and, if Her Royal Highness returned to England for three months – ”

  “No!”

  The monosyllable interrupting the Lord Chamberlain seemed to ring round the small room.

  “I know what you are trying to say, Lord Chamberlain,” Rudolf went on, “but I will have none of it.”

  Zorina turned towards him and, raising her head, said in a whisper

  “Perhaps – he is right and it – would be best for you.”

  “No,” Rudolf stressed again. “We will return together to the City and we shall tell the people the truth.”

  Both the Lord Chamberlain and Zorina looked at him in astonishment.

  “The – truth?” Zorina questioned.

  Rudolf looked down at her and she saw to her surprise that there was a twinkle in his eyes.

  “All the world, and certainly the people of Leothia, enjoy a love story and ours will give them something to talk about for a very long time!”

  He saw that Zorina still did not understand and he went on,

  “We fell in love with each other, my darling, when I was in England.”

  He hesitated as if feeling for words before he continued,

  “Because you thought that you must obey Queen Victoria and marry the King of Leothia, you came here with the intention of carrying out what had been asked of you only to find, as I did, that love is stronger than duty, prestige or a Throne.”

  Zorina could not take her eyes from him and she was aware that the Lord Chamberlain was listening intently as Rudolf went on,

  “We did run away and we were married by Father Augustine, who was once the Cardinal of Archam. And we were determined to give up our Royal rank and then live together as an ordinary married couple.”

  The Lord Chamberlain gave a little exclamation, but he did not interrupt as Rudolf went on,

  “The people will understand that, because they need us, my wife and I are giving up not only our honeymoon but our plans to live quietly and incognito.”

  His voice rose a little as he continued,

  “In fact we will be making great sacrifices for our country. I know, when they hear the whole story, that everyone in Leothia will appreciate it and be delighted for us.”

  He went on,

  “I can imagine nothing more calculated to take their minds off the horror of what has just occurred than that a Coronation should take place as soon as possible.”

  There was a note of laughter in Rudolf’s voice as he ended,

  “After all Her Royal Highness Princess Zorina was sent by Queen Victoria to marry the King of Leothia and that is exactly what she has done!”

  “Oh, Rudolf – you are so – clever.”

  There were tears in Zorina’s eyes as she whispered the words.

  The Lord Chamberlain laughed before he said,

  “May I say, most respectfully, Sire, that you are exactly the sort of King who is needed desperately at this moment in Leothia.”

  He turned to Zorina and added,

  “And no country, ma’am, could have a more beautiful Queen.”

  “I think now,” Rudolf suggested, “you should bring in the other gentlemen you have with you, Lord Chamberlain. And my wife and I will offer them whatever refreshment is available.”

  The Lord Chamberlain bowed and then backed respectfully towards the door.

  As he disappeared, Rudolf put his arms around Zorina.

  “We have won, my darling wife! We have won!” he cried. “How could anyone have imagined in their wildest dreams that our Fairy story would end like this?”

  Tears were running down Zorina’s cheeks, but she murmured,

  “You will be the most – handsome King in the – whole of – Europe.”

  Rudolf laughed as he kissed her.

  Then they heard footsteps outside and she hastily moved away from him.

  There was fortunately two bottles of wine in the cupboard as well as a tin of coffee and Zorina made cups for the Gentlemen-in-Waiting who had come with the Lord Chamberlain.

  They had brought two spare horses with them.

  As one of the horses had a side-saddle, Zorina realised that the Lord Chamberlain had been remarkably perceptive and astute.

  Only when she was alone with Rudolf for a moment in the beautifully decorated bedroom, where they had slept for two unforgettable nights, did she say,

  “I am so glad – my darling husband – that you will not have to – leave your own country and that you will now reign – over it.”

  She hesitated and then whispered to him,

  “At the same time I am – afraid of leaving our – happiness behind in this – enchanted place of love.”

  “We will take our enchantment with us,” Rudolf suggested. “And we will also come back here again soon.”

  “When?”

  “The moment I can get away,” Rudolf replied. “After all even a King is entitled to a honeymoon.”

  “Can we really do – that?” Zorina enquired.

  “If I am a King,” Rudolf laughed, “I intend to have my own way. And nobody, not even my wife, shall stop me!”

  He kissed Zorina until the bedroom, with its carvings and white rugs and the sunshine coming through the blue-curtained windows, seemed to whirl dizzily around her.

  She could feel her heart beating against his and she sensed that once again he wanted to make love to her.

  “Darling Rudolf – they are – waiting for us,” she urged him.

  “I would like to make them wait,” he answered.

  His voice was deep and a little unsteady,

  “We must – go.”

  Reluctantly he took his arms from her.

  Then, as she wrapped the pretty chiffon scarf over her head, he took her cloak from the cupboard and, as it was too hot for her to wear it, he carried it over his arm.

  The horses were waiting, but Rudolf would let no one else lift Zorina into the saddle.

  As they then rode down the steep twisting path between the trees, she looked back and thought that perhaps she was leaving her sublime happiness behind her.

  Then, as they reached the valley and Rudolf was still by her side, she knew that nothing mattered except that they were together.

  There would be difficulties, there would be problems and there would undoubtedly be times of apprehension, but love would conquer them all.

  The road widened and now she could see the roofs of Archam and, high above the City, white and beautiful against the blue sky, there was The Royal Palace.

  It seemed impossible to believe that she was going back to a place that she had left in the depths of utter despair to die.

  But now she was feeling very different.

  She knew that Rudolf would do everything that Great Britain wanted from the King of Leothia.

  He would do everything in his power to strengthen and galvanise his country and thus help to preserve the Balance of Power in Europe.

  And above all he would love her.

  Their love was too great to be questioned or changed wherever they went or whatever they did.

  She was thinking of this as Rudolf turned and gazed at her.

  Riding a superbly bred horse and wearing her white gown with her chiffon scarf, she looked like an enchanted Goddess who had stepped down from Mount Olympus to be with mere mortals.

  Their eyes met and Rudolf said to her, so that no one else should hear,

  “I adore you, my perfect, wonderful little bride. This is a new adventure we are starting out on together.”

  The way he spoke told her that in his mind this was exactly what it was.

  Zorina felt her heart leap towards him.

  As her spirits rose, she laughed with sheer exhilaration because everything seemed so dazzlingly enthralli
ng.

  “An adventure,” she said to Rudolf, “an adventure of love.”

  Then, as they rode on and she knew that Rudolf was as thrilled as she was, she was thanking God for all He had given them.

  She was also praying that she and her beloved husband would have sons, several sons to ensure the succession of the Monarchy of Leothia and the progress of the country under their love and dedication.

  OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

  The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.

  Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.

  The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .

  Elizabethan Lover

  The Little Pretender

  A Ghost in Monte Carlo

  A Duel of Hearts

  The Saint and the Sinner

  The Penniless Peer

  The Proud Princess

  The Dare-Devil Duke

  Diona and a Dalmatian

  A Shaft of Sunlight

  Lies for Love

  Love and Lucia

  Love and the Loathsome Leopard

  Beauty or Brains

  The Temptation of Torilla

  The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl

  Fragrant Flower

  Look Listen and Love

  The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter

  A Kiss for the King

  The Mysterious Maid-servant

  Lucky Logan Finds Love

  The Wings of Ecstacy

  Mission to Monte Carlo

  Revenge of the Heart

  The Unbreakable Spell

  Never Laugh at Love

  Bride to a Brigand

  Lucifer and the Angel

  Journey to a Star

  Solita and the Spies

  The Chieftain Without a Heart

  No Escape from Love

  Dollars for the duke

  Pure and Untouched

  Secrets

  Fire in the Blood

  Love, Lies and Marriage

  The Ghost who Fell in Love

  Hungry for Love

  The Wild Cry of Love

  The Blue-eyed Witch

  The Punishment of a Vixen

  The Secret of the Glen

  Bride to the King

  For All Eternity

  King in Love

  A Marriage made in Heaven

  Who can deny Love?

  Riding to the Moon

  Wish for Love

  Dancing on a Rainbow

  Gypsy Magic

  Love in the Clouds

  Count the Stars

  White Lilac

  Too Precious to Lose

  The Devil Defeated

  An Angel Runs Away

  The Duchess Disappeared

  The Pretty Horse-breakers

  The Prisoner of Love

  Ola and the Sea Wolf

  The Castle made for Love

  A Heart is Stolen

  The Love Pirate

  As Eagles Fly

  The Magic of Love

  Love Leaves at Midnight

  A Witch’s Spell

  Love Comes West

  The Impetuous Duchess

  A Tangled Web

  Love lifts the Curse

  Saved By A Saint

  Love is Dangerous

  The Poor Governess

  The Peril and the Prince

  A Very Unusual Wife

  Say Yes Samantha

  Punished with love

  A Royal Rebuke

  The Husband Hunters

  Signpost To Love

  Love Forbidden

  Gift Of the Gods

  The Outrageous Lady

  The Slaves Of Love

  The Disgraceful Duke

  The Unwanted Wedding

  Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge

  From Hate to Love

  A Very Naughty Angel

  The Innocent Imposter

  A Rebel Princess

  A Wish Comes True

  Haunted

  Passions In The Sand

  Little White Doves of Love

  A Portrait of Love

  The Enchanted Waltz

  Alone and Afraid

  The Call of the Highlands

  The Glittering Lights

  An Angel in Hell

  Only a Dream

  A Nightingale Sang

  Pride and the Poor Princess

  Stars in my Heart

  The Fire of Love

  A Dream from the Night

  Sweet Enchantress

  The Kiss of the Devil

  Fascination in France

  Love Runs In

  Lost Enchantment

  Love is Innocent

  The Love Trap

  No Darkness for Love

  Kiss from a Stranger

  The Flame Is Love

  A Touch of Love

  The Dangerous Dandy

  In Love In Lucca

  The Karma Of Love

  Magic For The Heart

  Paradise Found

  Only Love

  A Duel with Destiny

  The Heart of the Clan

  The Ruthless Rake

  Revenge is Sweet

  Fire on the Snow

  A Revolution of Love

  Love at the Helm

  Listen to Love

  Love Casts out Fear

  The Devilish Deception

  Riding in the Sky

  The Wonderful Dream

  This Time it’s Love

  The River of Love

  A Gentleman in Love

  The Island of Love

  Miracle for a Madonna

  The Storms of Love

  The Prince and the Pekingese

  The Golden Cage

  Theresa and a Tiger

  The Goddess of Love

  Alone in Paris

  The Earl Rings a Belle

  The Runaway Heart

  From Hell to Heaven

  Love in the Ruins

  Crowned with Love

  Love is a Maze

  Hidden by Love

  Love is the Key

  A Miracle in Music

  The Race for Love

  Call of the Heart

  The Curse of the Clan

  Saved by Love

  The Tears of Love

  Winged Magic

  Born of Love

  Love Holds the Cards

  A Chieftain Finds Love

  The Horizons of Love

  The Marquis Wins

  A Duke in Danger

  Warned by a Ghost

  Forced to Marry

  Sweet Adventure

  Love is a Gamble

  Love on the Wind

  Looking for Love

  Love is the Enemy

  The Passion and the Flower

  The Reluctant Bride

  Safe in Paradise

  The Temple of Love

  Love at First Sight

  The Scots Never Forget

  The Golden Gondola

  No Time for Love

  Love in the Moon

  A Hazard of Hearts

  Just Fate

  The Kiss of Paris

  Little Tongues of Fire

  Love Under Fire

  The Magnificent Marriage

  Moon over Eden

  The Dream and the Glory

  A Victory for Love

  A Princess in Distress

  A Gamble with Hearts

  Love Strikes a Devil

  In the Arms of Love

  Love in the Dark

  Love Wins

  The Marquis who Hated Women

  Love is Invincible

  Love Climbs in


  The Queen Saves the King

  The Duke Comes Home

  Love Joins the Clans

  The Power and the Prince

  Winged Victory

  Light of the Gods

  The Golden Illusion

  Never Lose Love

  The Sleeping Princess

  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.

  An Adventure of Love

  Barbara Cartland

  Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd

  This edition © 2019

  Copyright Cartland Promotions 1988

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books