Ruled by Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

proposed,
    â€œFor the time being, until my father can persuade Prince Vaslov to join us, I suggest that you should talk to the Count.”
    â€œI will certainly do so,” the Prime Minister agreed.
    â€œThe Count is also concentrating on cheering up the Palace. We are to have a dinner party tonight and a dance afterwards. I like to think in a way that this might prevent the Prussians from thinking we are particularly worried.”
    â€œYou are absolutely correct, Your Royal Highness. News from the Palace will carry swiftly over the City and to those outside it.”
    Zoleka thought for a moment.
    â€œI think I should send Pieter Seitz back to report to my father immediately. I will also ask him to send us more horses, which I am sure the Count will require, unless you have enough here in Krnov?”
    â€œKnowing very well how magnificent your father’s horses are, I would not think of comparing ours with them and we would be very grateful for any additions to those we already have.”
    â€œI will pass on the request to my father at once and now please will you help me in another matter?”
    The Prime Minister looked a little surprised.
    â€œOf course, Your Royal Highness, I will certainly do anything you want.”
    â€œThere is going to be a very large bill for the new clothes which Princess Udele simply must have. She must no longer look as if she is still in the schoolroom.
    â€œIf the Lord Chamberlain is tiresome, can I send the bill to you? After all to bring her out as a debutante and dress her fashionably as a Princess is, I believe, definitely a weapon against the enemy!”
    The Prime Minister laughed.
    â€œYour way of persuading me is quite different from anything I have experienced before. Of course I will cope with the bills if there is any trouble at the Palace. What you are now doing, Your Royal Highness, is exactly what I have believed for some time is so very necessary for the salvation of Krnov and I am most grateful.”
    They smiled at each other.
    And then Zoleka drove back to the Palace.
    *
    She sent first for Pieter Seitz.
    â€œAs it is such a lovely afternoon,” she said when he came hurrying into the room, “I suggest that we walk in the garden.”
    She recognised by the expression in his eyes that he understood why she was making this suggestion.
    â€œWhat an excellent idea, Your Royal Highness,” he replied. “There are some plants in the garden which I think are very different from ours and your father would be most interested in them.”
    They went out into the Palace garden and walked across the lawn towards the fountain.
    They were both ostensibly looking at the goldfish and admiring the drops of water falling in the sunshine like a thousand rainbows.
    Zoleka told him everything she had discussed with the Prime Minister.
    â€œI suppose you want me to carry the news to His Royal Highness immediately.”
    â€œIf it is not too much for you, Pieter, as you have only just arrived, but do I think that the sooner Papa knows the situation the better.”
    â€œI will go now and tell the Lord Chamberlain, and anyone else who is interested, that because there are going to be many parties you need some jewellery which you did not think you would need.”
    Zoleka clapped her hands together.
    â€œThat is very clever of you, Pieter, and actually it would be useful for me to wear a small tiara and a necklace that Papa thought was too old for me. I definitely need to feel confident and in those I shall dazzle!”
    â€œI will bring them back with me, so that there will be no suspicion I was going for any other reason.”
    â€œYou can tell the Count the truth but no one else.”
    â€œI have already had a long discussion with him this morning. He too is extremely worried by the situation.”
    He paused for a moment as if he was considering what he should say next.
    â€œLast night, after you and Her Royal