Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland Page B

be very careful that no one else has the slightest idea of what has happened to you.”
    â€œThank you, Arthur, I knew I could rely on you.”
    Lady Rose kissed Valona saying,
    â€œI am so happy!  I feel I am flying into the sky and it is impossible to remember what is happening on earth.  I am sure you understand.”
    â€œOf course I do, Rose, and I know your happiness will increase day by day and year by year.  I am even more convinced of this prophecy than of the one that I gave you earlier.”
    â€œBut what you said then did come true.  Even now I cannot believe I am not dreaming.”
    â€œI hope you will go on dreaming for ever!”
    As they kissed each other, Lady Rose added,
    â€œWe will get together somehow as soon as we come back.  You have been the most amazing friend I have ever had and I am not going to lose you.”
    Valona smiled.
    She thought it might be difficult for them to meet again if she was in Larissa and Rose was in England.
    The newly married couple climbed into the first carriage and Valona noticed that the pretty hat Lady Rose had worn was waiting for her on the small seat.
    â€œDon’t forget to take off your veil,” she whispered.
    â€œI will try not to, Valona, but for the moment my head is in the clouds and I am finding it difficult to remember anything!”
    The two girls kissed and the Marquis kissed Valona goodbye and thanked her again profusely for being so incredibly helpful.
    They drove off and, having waved until they were out of sight, the Duke helped Valona into the other carriage.
    Now as the horses started off, he commented,
    â€œThe sooner we sail on to Larissa the better.  I feel somewhat guilty that we have been delaying our arrival by stopping at the different ports on Gerald’s insistence.”
    There was silence for a minute and then Valona asked,
    â€œCan I possibly do one thing that I want to do more than anything else?”
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œCould we possibly divert a little out of our way to Delos?”
    She saw by the expression on the Duke’s face that he did not understand what she was asking.
    She explained quickly,
    â€œDelos is the place where Apollo was born and is the most significant and exciting of all the Greek Islands.  I have never been there naturally and it is somewhere I have always longed to visit ever since I first learnt about Apollo when I was a small child.”
    The Duke smiled.
    â€œAfter your kindness in agreeing to take my sister’s place, I can scarcely refuse any request that you make.  I will arrange with the Captain that you are able to set foot on the island if only for a very short time.”
    â€œI would just love to explore the whole island, but I shall be so grateful if I could go ashore for a while.  It will be something for me to remember in the future.”
    There was a distinct pause before she breathed the last words and he sensed that she was feeling fearful, even horror-struck, at the prospect of having to marry the King of Larissa.
    He placed his hand over hers and turned to face her.
    â€œI feel we have no right to impose this situation on you, but you see how happy you have made my sister and the man who is now her husband.  It would have been an unbelievably cruelty if after all these years, Gerald found himself free but unable to marry Rose.”
    â€œI do understand,” sighed Valona.  “But I am afraid of being inadequate for the position you want me to take.”
    â€œI assure you that you are so intelligent that no one could do it better than you, Valona.  As Gerald has told us, it may not be for too long and all you have to think about is that you are personally saving a small defenceless country from the yoke of Russia.”
    â€œDo you really think it is as bad as everyone makes out, Cousin Arthur?”
    â€œI have heard it is even worse.  The poor people in the Kingdoms and