Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

her.
    However, at half past six when a servant said the Duke was downstairs, Lady Violet came to her room.
    â€œSay goodbye to Cousin Varin for me, my dearest. I did not want to wake Edward by rising so early. He is going to have a hard day at the Foreign Office preparing his brief before we leave for Madrid.”
    â€œYou will have gone before I return, Aunt Violet, and I shall not be able to tell you all that has happened to me.”
    â€œYou must write when you can, my dear, and as soon as we are settled in I will certainly ask Edward if you can come and stay with us. Spain will be another country for you to visit.”
    Elva gave a cry of delight.
    â€œThat will be just marvellous. You have been so kind to me and you know I love being with you and Uncle Edward.”
    She kissed her aunt affectionately.
    Then looking, as her aunt observed, very attractive in her new sophisticated clothes, she ran down the stairs.
    Her luggage had already been piled on the back of the carriage in which the Duke had arrived. It was drawn by two outstanding horses that Elva would have liked to inspect and pat.
    As soon as he realised that she was alone, the Duke hurried her into the carriage. A few smaller pieces of their luggage were placed on the seat in front of them. As they drove off Elva said,
    â€œAunt Violet asked me to say goodbye to you for her and I know she will be praying all the time we are away that the visit will be a success.”
    â€œIt really has to be after all the trouble we have taken,” replied the Duke. “I feel I should tell you that you look very smart and much older than you did yesterday.”
    â€œI feel at least a hundred! And thank you for liking my clothes. They were especially chosen to make me not only look older but a very respectable Duchess!”
    â€œAnd that is just what I hope you will be, Cousin Elva.”
    He was silent for a moment before adding,
    â€œI suppose you know that when you are acting a part, the most important aspect of your performance is to think yourself into the character you are pretending to be.”
    He waited for Elva to speak before continuing,
    â€œThinking is important in Russia because some of the natives are not only extremely perceptive, but also actually clairvoyant.”
    â€œI think that is rather frightening.”
    â€œI have often thought so myself,” agreed the Duke.
    â€œAnd so I try, when the Russians are near me, to make my mind completely blank.”
    â€œIs that what you do when you are in disguise?”
    She felt as she asked the question it was something she should not have said.
    â€œIn Russia it will not only be a question of when we are acting a part, but when we are talking to each other and there are others present. Or just being ourselves and forgetting that we are deceiving the people watching us.”
    â€œI do understand what you are saying,” answered Elva, “and I promise I will be very very careful.”
    They drove on in silence.
    Elva knew instinctively that the Duke was wishing he was alone and did not have to take her with him.
    â€˜My best plan,’ she pondered, ‘is to make myself invisible or at least keep out of sight.’
    It was only a short drive to Parliament Square and there in the Thames, just beside the Houses of Parliament, Elva had her first glimpse of the Sea Horse.
    It was a very much larger yacht than she expected.
    The early morning sun was shining on its sails and glittering on the brass work of the railings and the deck.
    The Sea Horse looked almost like an enchanted vision from a bygone age.
    The horses slowly drew to a standstill, the door of the carriage was opened and Elva stepped out.
    She looked up at the sails fluttering in the breeze and the shiny paint on the ship.
    â€œIt is just so beautiful!” she exclaimed. “The most glorious ship I have ever seen.”
    â€œI am glad you appreciate it, Elva. The Sea Horse has carried me