Read Online Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

himself a schooner with two masts and fore and aft rigged sails.
    Although it was expensive, the schooner, which he had named the Sea Horse , was an undoubted success.
    He had engaged the best master of rigging to give him advice.
    As in most two-masted schooners the main mast was higher and carried more sail than the foremast and this assured him of reaching high speeds whenever he required it.
    He made sure that below deck, inside his Saloon, the upholstery, furnishings and decoration were as attractive as possible. This ensured that every voyage he took was a delight.
    He had always been interested in ships ever since he had been a small boy, joining the Cork Harbour Water Club as well as the Cumberland Fleet when he was quite young. These organisations were mostly concerned with racing and were supported by every seafaring nation.
    The Duke had decided some time ago that when he had a little more time to himself he would try to form a Club of his own to attract the very best sailing ships in the world to compete for very high honours.
    For the moment he was feeling very thankful that he was not forced to travel to St. Petersburg overland. It would have taken a great deal of time and would have been most disagreeable.
    Now that the war between Russia and Sweden was over he could sail across the North Sea, round Denmark into the Baltic and reach St. Petersburg in just two or three weeks.
    It was to be a voyage that would be comfortable and therefore most enjoyable.
    The Duke was always happy when he was at sea.
    â€˜When this tiresome mission is over,’ he decided, ‘I will sail down the African coast or perhaps explore the Aegean Sea, where I could even gain some idea of what the Russians have in mind for Constantinople.’
    He could certainly believe that they were still scheming to capture the great City on the Bosphorus; nothing would surprise him where Russia was concerned.
    As he reached his house in Park Lane, he only wished that he did not have to take the girl with him. Or go through all the paraphernalia of pretending she was his wife.
    He would much rather have gone to St. Petersburg alone, but after heeding his cousin Violet’s dire warning, he would have to make the best of a bad job.
    â€˜It may not be all that tedious,’ he mused as he walked through his impressive front door, ‘but it will be boring.’
    *
    Elva on the other hand was in a feverish state of wild excitement.
    She could scarcely believe that her subtle scheme of travelling with the Duke as his wife had actually been accepted.
    Not only by the Duke himself but also by her aunt.
    In her wildest dreams she had never thought that her desire to travel would be fulfilled in such a strange way.
    Now there was very little time to think.
    Lady Violet already had sent for her clothes from her cousin Muriel and then she pointed out that Elva must take some more sophisticated dresses, which would make her look older and more like a married woman.
    â€œWhat you will certainly need more than anything else, my dear Elva, is plenty of jewellery as the Russians will expect a Duchess to be covered in it!”
    â€œI would never have believed it. Mama had some beautiful jewellery, but Papa has it locked away, some of it in London and some in the country and I don’t have the keys.”
    â€œI think this is something that your Cousin Varin should be able to produce for you.”
    Lady Violet sat down and wrote a note to the Duke and had it sent round to his house by one of the footmen.
    â€œHe will understand,” she said when the note had gone, “that as a representative of the British aristocracy he must not appear to be mean, especially when he has just been married.”
    Elva was not paying attention.
    â€œOne piece of jewellery I do have,” she said, “is Mama’s wedding ring. I have always kept it with me and sometimes I put it on my finger just to feel near to her.”
    â€œYou must wear