Lovers in Lisbon Read online

  Her voice broke.

  Then the Marques was kissing her fiercely and demandingly, as she so wanted him to do.

  Only when they were both breathless did he say,

  “My precious one, why are you so poor? Could you not have gone to England? I cannot believe your relatives would not have looked after you.”

  “I once suggested it to Mama after Papa died – but she claimed that her father would – never forgive her for having caused such a scandal.”

  Felicita lowered her voice.

  “Queen Victoria was to have been represented at her Wedding, loads of presents had all arrived and there were two younger members of the Royal Family among her bridesmaids.”

  The Marques laughed and it was a very happy sound.

  “I can see, my darling, that your mother flouted all the conventions of British protocol and I admire her for her bravery more than I can ever say.”

  “I wish Mama – could have – known that!”

  “I am sure she does,” the Marques commented quietly.

  He saw the happiness in Feiicita’s eyes and he knew that it was because she loved him and was so grateful to him for being so understanding.

  Her mother had felt that the advantages of becoming a Duchess were of no consequence beside the emotions of the heart.

  That was what he understood.

  It was what he felt himself and he had been prepared to many Felicita whoever she was.

  Even, as the Duchesse had revealed, nothing but a Portuguese pedlar.

  He realised now that, with his grandmother’s help, Felicita’s Stratford relations would undoubtedly welcome her into the family.

  What was more, Felicita would grace her traditional place at the Court of King Carlos.

  Because she was so unspoilt and so unsophisticated, she did not understand.

  He had, however, no intention of letting her realise the difference that this would mean to her in the future.

  He had been prepared to protect her from any of the problems that might arise because she was his wife.

  At the same time it would have been impossible to avoid them completely or for her to be saved from the spitefulness of envious tongues and the chatter of jealous women.

  Like Felicita the Marques said a prayer of gratitude.

  He had mocked at his father for being so insistent that the woman he married must be worthy of his name and her blood as good as his own.

  Nevertheless he could understand his pride.

  It had made the Marques Juan marry an English Noblewoman while he still loved Inès.

  Felicita was saying,

  “Mama received a very small income from her grandmother, which kept us from starving while she was alive.”

  She gave a deep sigh.

  “But that ceased when she – died.”

  The Marques bent forward to kiss her again, saying as he did so,

  “All you have to think about tonight, and now this is an order, is that you love me and tomorrow we will be married.”

  His voice deepened as he said slowly,

  “We will begin a life of such happiness in our enchanted Palace that our love will reach out to help other people to become as happy as we are.”

  “That is – what I want to do,” Felicita said. “Promise me you will not – vanish in the night and – leave me alone.”

  “I promise you that I shall be here in the morning,” the Marques smiled, “and after that we will be together by day and by night for always.”

  He kissed her very gently, then, rising to his feet, he kissed both her hands.

  “Goodnight, my beautiful wife-to-be,” he said, “and God bless you, as already He has blessed us both.”

  Felicita gave him a shy little smile.

  Then, as he went from the room and closed the door behind him, she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

  ‘Thank You – God – thank You,’ she prayed over and over again.

  Then she added a little secret wish.

  ‘Please, Mary, Mother of God, give us sons who will be as fine and as handsome, kind and gentle as he is so that the people who look up to The Palace will be inspired by those who own it as they are by Your Holy and Blessed Son.’

  *

  Felicita and the Marques were married at noon the following day.

  The small Private Chapel was attached to the East Wing of The Palace.

  The only witnesses was the Marques’s secretary, who had been with him for many years.

  There were two young servers standing by the Altar to assist the elderly Chaplain.

  The fragrance of incense mingled with the scent of the arum lilies that filled the Chapel.

  Felicita wore the same white and silver gown that she had worn the first evening she had come to The Palace, the evening when the Marques had fallen in love with her and she with him.

  Over her head, but not over her face, she wore an ancient lace veil that had been in the family for several centuries.

  Her wreath was of real orange blossom, made for her by The Place gardeners and she carried just a few perfect Madonna lilies in her arms.

  When she came into the Chapel, there was the soft sound of organ music filling the air and the Marques was waiting for her.

  He thought that she might have stepped out of one of the stained-glass windows and was a Saint or an angel.

  Yet, as she slipped her hand into his, he could feel that she was human.

  He loved her with all his heart and, although it was something he had never expected, also with his soul.

  After the Marriage Service was over and they had received Holy Communion, they knelt for the Blessing.

  Then both Felicita and the Marques felt a sudden blazing light in the Chapel.

  It was not sunshine but something very much more brilliant and so vivid that they were almost blinded by it.

  It was the Blessing of God.

  They walked out into the garden, where the sun was shining down on the fountains and Felicita knew that their love had transformed The Palace into a very special Paradise.

  As the Marques had said, it would bring happiness to a great number of people besides themselves.

  After luncheon a carriage carried the Marques’s grandmother away to her Villa near the sea.

  They were alone and the Marques took Felicita out onto the terrace.

  “In a few minutes,” he said, “we are going upstairs for our siesta. But first I want you, my darling, to look down from our Palace in the Clouds and tell me that you are happy to be here and that you are no longer afraid.”

  “I shall – never be – afraid as long as – you are with – me.”

  Far away in the distance she could see Lisbon.

  She felt, although it was impossible, that she could see too the little house where she had lived with her parents.

  She moved a little nearer to the Marques as she sighed,

  “Sometimes I wish that – you were not so – important or so rich – so that I could show you that I love you – just as a man.”

  She put her head against his shoulder.

  “If we had to live – as you say – down below – I would look after you – and, of course – love you just as much – if not more than I do now.”

  She saw that the Marques was moved by what she had said.

  As his arms tightened around her, he said,

  “Do you suppose, my precious, that I do not know? But I still like to hear you say it. Our love is greater than poverty, greater than privation and far greater than anything else in the whole world!”

  He touched her hair gently with his lips before he went on,

  “The first time I brought you here you said it made you feel as if you was God, looking down on the world that you had created.”

  His voice deepened,

  “That is what I feel. I have battled against strange and unexpected difficulties to find you and at last you are mine!”

  There was fire in his eyes as he add
ed,

  “What are we waiting for? I want, my precious, adorable little wife, to teach you about love and there is a great deal for you to learn.”

  Felicita drew in her breath.

  “As you say – my wonderful magnificent husband what – are we – waiting for?”

  The Marques gave a little laugh.

  Taking Felicita by the hand, he drew her back through the salon and up the stairs.

  When they reached her bedroom, the sunshine was streaming through the windows in a golden light.

  Because it was so lovely, she felt as if it filled her heart and flickered through her body.

  Then, as she turned towards the Marques, she was in his arms.

  He was kissing her fiercely, wildly, passionately.

  She could feel the sun burning on his lips as it was burning in her breast.

  “I – love you – I love you!”

  She said the words in her mind, in her heart and in her soul.

  Then there was only the sunshine, which had turned to flames, the Marques’s arms, his lips – and him.

  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.