Read Online Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page B

back.”
    The Duke smiled.
    â€œI really think you have made the journey far more pleasant than it might have been.”
    â€œIt is still unmitigated hell,” the Marquis muttered and he walked out of the Saloon before the Duke could say anything more.
    â€˜There is nothing I can do,’ the Duke mumbled to himself, ‘except to hope that Valona’s prophecy will come true.’
    Rose and Gerald had told him all that Valona had said, but he did not believe a word of it.
    He had heard so many predictions about horses as to which would quite certainly win the Grand National, or the Gold Cup at Ascot and the poor owner was often very disappointed when the day came.
    He had also proved to himself that it was almost impossible to win at roulette – the lucky charms which so many punters carried with them at Monte Carlo were just a load of rubbish.
    It was just a way, he thought, of extracting money from people who were stupid enough to believe what they were told – they just expected miracles when the dice were loaded against them.
    And that, at this precise moment, included his sister and Gerald.
    The Duke was quite certain that they had no chance of ever being happy together, but all the same, for their sakes, he felt that he must pretend to believe Valona’s prophesies.
    She had certainly lifted the veil of darkness which would have prevailed over them all until the voyage ended.
    Valona now came hurrying towards him.
    She was wearing a voluminous sun hat over her fair hair and carrying a sunshade.
    â€œI am ready, Cousin Arthur, please can we go ashore at once?”
    The Duke smiled at her eagerness.
    â€œCome along then, Valona” he urged.  “If I have to wear out my feet and my brain in amusing you, I suppose it would be hopeless to complain.”
    â€œQuite, quite hopeless.  And if you desert me, I shall go on my own anyway and you know Her Majesty would not approve of that!”
    The Duke chuckled.
    â€œI think it is a very good thing that Her Majesty has no idea what we are doing – and I really hope she will never find out!”
    Valona looked at him questioningly.
    â€œBecause the Queen had forgotten about you and your mother, she never asked your age.  I am quite certain, if she had known how young you are, she would have found, even at the last moment, some elderly widow or spinster to be Lady-in-Waiting to Rose.”
    â€œAnd Rose would have been furious.”
    â€œI know, but you have been so wonderful with her.  You have surely made her so much happier than she would have been otherwise.”
    â€œShe will be happy one day,” said Valona simply.  “And it is no use arguing about it just because you don’t believe me and anyway I don’t believe you !”
    â€œThat is certainly true, but come on, Valona, there is a carriage waiting for us and we have so much sightseeing to do.”
    He was right.
    They went first to the Parthenon, dedicated to the Virgin Goddess Athena, and on to the Erechtheum with its pillars of maidens.
    Valona was entranced with everything she saw and everything she was told.
    They were late going back to the ship, but the Duke had already decided that they would have luncheon on board and then go to somewhere amusing later for dinner.
    Because Valona had enjoyed her morning so much she ran up the gangplank, hurried below and went into the Saloon.
    Lady Rose was there alone.
    When her brother came in, she asked him,
    â€œWhat has happened to Gerald?”
    â€œI have no idea.  I thought he would be with you,” replied the Duke.
    â€œNo, he left pretty early – soon after you,” answered Rose.  “He just said he must go to the Embassy and then off he went.”
    The Duke looked at the clock.
    It was nearly a quarter to two.
    â€œWell, I suppose he must have been delayed, but I have no intention of waiting for my luncheon, because I am extremely