Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland

do hope he will tell me about them.”
    Lady Violet looked embarrassed.
    â€œThis is something I should never have said. You must forget all about it.”
    â€œIf it is a secret, I will not talk about it to anyone else, I promise. But I would like Cousin Varin to tell me all about his adventures.”
    â€œI very much doubt if he will do so,” replied Lady Violet. “You will just have to be very tactful with him, Elva, otherwise he will think that you are a silly chattering debutante for whom he has no use.”
    â€œWell, I don’t think he really has much use for me anyway except that on this occasion he needs me.”
    â€œWell, just try to keep quiet and don’t bother him with questions or conversation that he may think boring. If you find the trip difficult, it will be your own fault.”
    â€œI realise that, but I think the most fortunate thing I ever did was to eavesdrop in your library.”
    â€œIf you can still say the same when you come back from St. Petersburg, I shall be very happy, my dear Elva,” added Lady Violet.
    Then she gave a sudden cry.
    â€œI nearly forgot. How stupid of me”
    â€œForgot what?”
    â€œSomething for you to take with you when you are invited to parties and something special for the Empress as well if you meet her.”
    She saw that Elva looked surprised.
    â€œIt is correct in the East, and that includes Russia, to bring a present for your hostess when you arrive at a party.”
    â€œWhat a truly lovely idea, Aunt Violet. I would be so delighted if I gave a party and everyone brought me a present.”
    â€œIt is a custom which is never forgotten in the East. I did remember last night and have placed some suitable presents on a table in my bedroom. Let’s go and look at them and then they must be packed.”
    She walked ahead and Elva followed her into her bedroom.
    It was a most attractive and romantic room and Elva thought if ever she married she would have one just like it.
    On one side of the room there was a small table and Lady Violet walked over to it.
    â€œThe presents you may give to your hostess are not expected to be valuable,” she said, “but charming and an expression of your goodwill. Of course the Empress is different, but I think this will be suitable for her.”
    She picked up a cleverly carved antique box. Inset in the centre of the top was a collection of small but very pretty shells.
    â€œThis was made many years ago by an amateur craftsman and the shells are found only on one particular beach in Scotland.”
    â€œIt’s very pretty!” exclaimed Elva. “I do hope that the Empress will like it.”
    â€œNow look at the other presents, Elva.”
    There were beautiful enamel boxes, a tortoiseshell comb in a small case, a blue pencil in an elaborate silver holder as well as several small pieces of china, all of which Elva thought were delightful.
    â€œI will have them packed up at once and if they are all in a case of their own, you will be able to find them quickly whenever you need them.”
    â€œThank you so very much,” enthused Elva. “It is so kind of you, Aunt Violet. You have found so many lovely pieces for me.”
    She looked round the room as she spoke.
    There was a table with a glass top in front of the window and in it lay a collection of ornamental boxes. Some of them, Elva realised were snuffboxes, which were still in fashion.
    She was glad, however, that neither her father nor the Duke took snuff.
    Then nestling amongst the boxes she noticed a small pistol set with amethysts.
    â€œThat is just the prettiest pistol I have ever seen!”
    â€œStrangely enough it is Russian,” Lady Violet told her. “Edward gave it to me when we visited Moscow. The man who sold it to him told him that it had been made for one of the Czars, I forget which one.”
    She raised the glass top of the table and Elva bent forward and picked up