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

came aboard.
    â€œWhat is happening?” she asked Titania. “Did you have a dreary dinner with those awful old women?”
    â€œIt was not very exciting, as the three men talked amongst themselves and obviously did not intend a woman to join in.”
    â€œJust what I expected,” grumbled Sophie. “It’s going to be a very boring journey until I meet Frederick.” She paused for a moment and then asked,
    â€œWhat is that Equerry like? He at least is young and not bad-looking.”
    â€œI think he was sent,” answered Titania slowly, “so that he could teach you Velidosian before you arrive.”
    â€œIf that is what he has come for, he’s going to be disappointed. I have no wish to learn their silly language and although I would not mind talking to him, Mama would be horrified at the idea of his sitting at my bedside.”
    Titania laughed.
    â€œI am afraid she would!”
    â€œIn which case he will have failed in his mission,” snorted Sophie. “As I have already said, I am not going to learn any language other than the ones I know already.”
    Titania looked round the cabin. “Is there anything you want,” she asked, “because I am going to bed.”
    â€œI expect I shall want a lot in the morning,” replied Sophie, “but I cannot think of anything now. As soon as you know I have been called, Titania, you had better come to see me. It would be a mistake for you to have nothing to do while we are at sea.”
    â€œYes, of course. Good night, Sophie, sleep well.”
    Her cousin did not bother to reply and she walked to her cabin, which was quite comfortable and very much the same as Sophie’s.
    She felt that at least the Captain believed she was someone of importance whatever her relatives might think.
    As she undressed she wished with all her heart that her father and mother were with her on the voyage.
    It would be to some country where her father knew there was a Monastery to visit where no Englishman had ever been or it might be to a town that had recently discovered treasures dating back to the early times of civilisation.
    There was always something new and something thrilling to arouse Lord Rupert’s attention and interest. It would make him determined, no matter how difficult the journey, that he would see it before anyone else did.
    â€˜I must look out in Velidos for what is unusual, just as you would have done, Papa,’ mused Titania to herself as she undressed. ‘I hope to get the chance to see the King who sounds interesting, even though he is isolating himself from the modern world.’
    When she climbed into bed she thought of Mercury and she was certain that tomorrow morning he would be waiting for her and think it strange when she did not come to the stables at seven o’clock as she always did.
    She had explained to him why she had to go away and hoped that he understood.
    â€˜There is no one else except Nanny and Mercury who belong to me now,’ she told herself. ‘And this ship is carrying me further and further away from them.’
    She felt the tears come into her eyes and with an almost superhuman effort she prevented herself from crying.
    â€˜I will have to be brave,’ she lectured herself. ‘I have to explore a new country and somehow lead a new life despite Sophie, who will try to stop me from doing so and enjoying myself.’
    It was then that she remembered she had managed to obtain five hundred pounds to put into a bank in Velidos.
    She had not told her uncle the truth as to why she wanted the money. The real reason was that if she could not bear being alone in a strange land, she would be able to run away and return home.
    â€˜It is just a precaution!’ she had told herself and at the same time she knew it was really a way out.

CHAPTER THREE
    Â The sea in the Mediterranean was calm and blue.
    Nevertheless the Duchess said she preferred to remain in her