The Gates of Paradise by Barbara Cartland

Royal Highness is lying here suffering from a fall when out riding which has affected his eyes.”
    â€œI thought there must be some reason for the lack of sunshine and the dimness in this beautiful room.”
    â€œThe reason is quite simple, but a complete secret.  His Royal Highness is, at the moment, undergoing a small operation in Constantinople.  It would be a great mistake, as you will appreciate better than anyone, for the Russians to know that he is not here in the Palace.”
    â€œI can understand that, but I feel sure that you have already taken every precaution.”
    â€œWe thought we had until a member of The Great Game has come to take his place – ”
    â€œYou can trust me, that I do promise you.”
    â€œI am not only trusting you, Mr. Ward, but I really want you to stay here until His Royal Highness returns.”
    Michael stared at him in surprise.
    â€œYou will be far safer here than anywhere else.  No one knows better than you do that the Russians never search openly for their prey if they can possibly avoid it, as usually the only way they can be defeated is if the man they are seeking dies.”
    Narina gave a little cry of horror.
    â€œI am not exaggerating, as Mr. Ward knows.  But it will actually make things much easier for us if he is here, and we need not be frightened that by some mischance the Russians learn that not only is His Royal Highness’s bed empty, but that he has left the country.”
    â€œI can appreciate that.  In fact it might be just what the Russians are waiting for.  Of course, as I am somewhat exhausted at the moment and there are so many sore places on my body, I am only too delighted to accept your most kind invitation.”
    â€œThank goodness for that.  Now I shall be able to sleep more comfortably at night.”
    â€œThere is only one thing I would very much like to know,” Michael enquired, “and that is who is the beautiful lady I thought must be Her Royal Highness?”
    The Lord Chamberlain gave a laugh.
    â€œLet me introduce, and this is equally a great secret, Miss Narina Kenwin, who has most kindly taken over the place of Her Royal Highness Princess Louise.”
    â€œI can only say how grateful I am to you,” Michael responded.  “I never imagined that any woman would be so quick in understanding my position.  Most women would have just been frightened of me and run away.”
    â€œWhile you were in India, you must have heard of Miss Kenwin’s father,” the Lord Chamberlain remarked.  “When he was last there, he was a Canon, but since then he has been made the Bishop of St. Albans.”
    â€œOf course I have heard of him.  In fact I met him once.  I was told that he is an extremely brilliant man.”
    â€œThen you will not be surprised that his daughter is brilliant too!” the Lord Chamberlain added.
    â€œNow you are both making me feel embarrassed,” said Narina.  “Although we have jumped one fence, I have an uncomfortable feeling there are a great number of others ahead of us.”
    â€œYes, indeed there are,” replied Michael, “but if you and I cannot jump them together then, I will be quite prepared to eat my hat or whatever the expression is.”
    They all three laughed and the Lord Chamberlain rose to his feet, saying,
    â€œI am going back to tell the General in command of the troops that the Palace Guard is to be doubled and they must be quite certain that no one gets through.”
    He was silent for a moment.
    â€œIf the Russians could dispose of you, Mr. Ward, and His Royal Highness at the same time, it would be a coup they have been hoping to achieve for a long time.”
    â€œThey are not doing that badly,” he added grimly.
    â€œAnd as you well know their Empire was once two thousand miles from India, but they have lately been decreasing that space by over twenty miles a