Read Online The King Without a Heart by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page B

put her head round it.
    â€œHer Ladyship’s screaming the house down for you, Miss Titania,” she told her urgently. “And as I can’t leave Her Grace, you’ll have to attend to her.”
    â€œAll right, Martha, I will go at once, but, tell me, what do you think of the Palace?”
    Martha shrugged her shoulders.
    â€œIt looks all right as Palaces go,” she said, “but if you asks me, I’d rather be in a cottage at home than in any swell building in a foreign country.”
    Titania laughed because it was just the answer she would have expected.
    Then she hurried into Sophie’s room which was only a few doors away from hers.
    â€œWhere have you been?” Sophie scolded her angrily as she entered. “Surely you realise I need you. I have got to change and I have no idea what I am expected to wear. cannot understand a word the women say who are unpacking my luggage.”
    Titania was glad to know that there was someone to help and she would not have to do it all herself. Then she asked her cousin,
    â€œWhat are we doing this evening? Has no one told you?”
    â€œI believe there is to be a dinner party,” Sophie answered, “but at what time and where I have not the slightest idea.”
    She gave a little scream of frustration as she added,
    â€œSurely you can do something. As you speak the language or think you do, you could ask what is going on.”
    â€œI will go and find out at once.”
    Titania stepped out of Sophie’s bedroom and saw with relief that one of the Ladies-in-Waiting was going into a room opposite.
    She ran across to her.
    â€œI am sorry to bother you, but my cousin has not been told what is happening tonight and she has no idea what she should wear.”
    â€œOh, there is a big dinner-party,” replied the Lady-in-Waiting, “and I think they are hoping the King will come, although that is unlikely.”
    â€œAnd what should my cousin wear?”
    â€œOne of her best gowns and of course a tiara on her head.”
    Titania ran back to Sophie’s room.
    When she told her what was happening, Sophie said,
    â€œJust what I had expected. At the same time an aide-de-camp or one of those men who hang about the place should tell me what is planned and what time the dinner-party will take place.”
    â€œI am sure there must be a programme of events somewhere.” Titania ran back into the passage again and now she found a rather harassed aide-de-camp hurrying up the stairs. As he held a piece of paper in his hand, Titania enquired of him as he reached her,
    â€œIs that by any chance a copy of the programme for Lady Sophie? She is worried as no one has told her what is happening this evening.”
    â€œI am sorry, I am very sorry,” answered the aide-decamp . “I expect I shall be told it is my fault. But no one could make up their minds about anything to begin with and then His Royal Highness Prince Frederick altered everything round at the last moment and we had to have it printed again.”
    Titania laughed.
    â€œI can understand your difficulties. It is what happens everywhere when there is a big party.”
    The aide-de-camp tried to smile.
    â€œI have been ticked off for being a nincompoop,” he told her, “and can only be grateful we do not have a wedding every day of the year!”
    â€œI expect this one will have to last you for a long time. Can I please have a programme too or like you I shall be in serious trouble.”
    The aide-de-camp looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time and murmured,
    â€œI am sure no one could be angry with anyone who looks as lovely as you do.”
    He spoke in his own language and Titania smiled.
    â€œThank you, kind sir, for the compliment. Equally as you well know there is nothing more exhausting than being late and trying to pretend one is on time.”
    â€œI will bring you everything that is happening the moment I