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

it all the time you are travelling, my dear, and I feel sure it will protect you.”
    â€œI am certain it will and I don’t wish to miss any of the Palaces it will be possible to visit in such a short space of time.”
    â€œI have been told that St. Petersburg is very large and most impressive,” said Lady Violet. “I expect you know the story of how the City was founded.”
    â€œNo, tell me, Aunt Violet. My governesses never told me anything exciting in my history lessons and I cannot remember it in any book I have read.”
    â€œOn May 16th, 1703,” she began, “the Czar Peter, standing on a small island on the north bank of the River Neva cut two pieces of turf and placed them crosswise.”
    â€œWhy did he do that?”
    â€œAccording to legend,” her aunt replied, “he had a casket containing the remains of St. Andrew buried in the ground which was then blessed and sprinkled with Holy Water.”
    â€œAnd what happened next?”
    â€œThe Czar’s original idea was not to create a new Capital, as what he really needed was a fortress against the Swedes who had defeated him at Narva in 1700 because the Russian ships were still in the Neva.
    â€œThe City was founded under the Swedish guns and later survived in spite of them. Work began on the fortress and Czar Peter gave orders to build a dockyard. The construction of the fortress and the town became a masterpiece, but no one knows how many people perished to produce it.”
    â€œOh, but why?”
    â€œBecause of the dreadful weather, thousands died from sickness and the cold following the Czar’s atrocious demands. He was completely ruthless, but his grand design for the new City made everyone who saw it gasp.”
    Elva was listening eagerly as her aunt continued with her fascinating tale.
    â€œThe Czar consulted his architectural advisers, but always made up his own mind. He was just determined, whatever anyone said, that the South bank of the River Neva was to be the most prestigious and that was where he built the Winter Palace in 1711. The Great Squares, the Palaces and the Avenues will all astonish you when you see them.”
    â€œI cannot wait,” enthused Elva, “and when I come home I will write down everything I have seen so that I shall never forget it.”
    â€œThat is an excellent idea, but I have a suspicion that when you do return you will be too busy riding your horses!”
    Elva laughed.
    â€œI only want to return so that I can go away again. Perhaps by yet another miracle, just like this one, I shall get a chance of going to Africa or Egypt.”
    â€œNow you are going much too fast,” Lady Violet cautioned her. “Be content with what you have at the moment. Do not forget that you are going to visit one of the most interesting, beautiful, yet dangerous Cities in the world.”
    â€œI cannot think there will be much danger for me,” sighed Elva. “After all I am of no particular importance. They might try to kidnap the Duke, or perhaps the Empress will want to marry him, if she is not really already married to Prince Potemkin.”
    â€œYou are not to talk like that,” Lady Violet scolded her. “Someone might overhear you and do not forget that when you arrive in St. Petersburg even all the walls have ears.”
    Elva looked at her wide-eyed.
    â€œAre you really saying that the Russians would deliberately listen in to my conversations with the Duke?”
    â€œIt might happen,” answered Lady Violet. “Either because the Empress wants to know what you are saying in private or perhaps by chance, just as you listened in to my conversation with the Duke.”
    Elva laughed.
    â€œI cannot deny it. But it makes me nervous that if you say anything we do not want the Russians to know, they may be listening.”
    â€œAs I have told you, the walls have ears. You will have to be very careful not to say anything which