A Dangerous Disguise by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

couldn't tear myself away. You are one of the most exciting women I've ever talked to. I never know what you are going to say next."
    "That's because I've said very little," she laughed. "Men always think a woman is witty when she lets them do the talking."
    He roared with laughter.
    "Well done!" he said appreciatively. "That will teach me to be more cautious. But, of course, by saying that, you disprove your own argument by being genuinely witty. Now I'm really curious to know what else you will say." She looked at him mischievously.
    "I think you'd be very surprised by some of the things I could say."
    "Now, what do you mean by that?"
    "Nothing," she backtracked hastily, regretting the moment of madness that made her admit anything so reckless.
    "That isn't true. You meant something."
    "Perhaps, but I don't think I'll tell you just now," she said, assuming an imperious voice to silence him.
    As they drove back to the hotel she said,
    "I shall lie awake tonight, thinking of the wonderful things I'm going to do."
    "If I lie awake it will be because I'm thinking of you," he replied.
    There was an expression in his eyes which made her feel a little tremor go through her, and she dared not look at him.
    He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
    "I thought I was an honourable man," he said, "but now I find that perhaps you are not as safe with me as you thought. Your Royal Highness – Ola - I want to kiss you. I want that very much."
    Her heart was beating wildly.
    "Are you going to?" she whispered.
    His hand tightened on hers.
    "No," he said. "It's too soon. But I warn you, tomorrow I may not think that it's too soon. Perhaps you should beware."
    She smiled at him in the dim light of the carriage.
    "I am not afraid," she said. "Perhaps it is you who should be afraid."
    "I am. I feel as though I've been caught up in something strange and mysterious, something over which I have no control. Do you feel that way too?"
    "Yes," she murmured. "Oh yes."
    And then she realised that the carriage had stopped. The journey was over.
    He came inside the hotel with her, as far as the foot of the stairs.
    "Goodnight," he said, pressing her hand. "I do hope you sleep well."
    "I doubt if I will," she said. "I have too many things to think about."
    He nodded.
    "Until tomorrow," he murmured.
    Then he turned quickly and left her there.
    Walking up the stairs, Ola felt it had all been a dream.
    'How can this possibly have happened?' she asked herself. 'And what will become of me? One day, just as I've appeared unexpectedly, so I'll have to disappear. To me this is a dream come true. But to him it will be a dream soon forgotten.'
    Greta was waiting up for her.
    "Well?" she demanded eagerly. "What happened? Did he suspect anything?"
    Ola shook her head, her eyes shining.
    "You actually got away with it?" Greta breathed. "I thought he would see through you, if you had to talk for a long time."
    "He talked most of the time. I just listened."
    "Well, thank goodness that's over. You mustn't take such a risk again."
    "I'm seeing him tomorrow," Ola said dreamily.
    "What?"
    "He's going to show me the sights."
    "Which means that more people will meet you, and the more who hear you called a Princess, the more who may suspect something."
    "No, we're pretending that I'm Fraulein Schmidt."
    Greta stared.
    "Are you telling me," she said in a dazed voice, "that you will be a commoner, pretending to be a Princess who is pretending to be a commoner?"
    "Yes."
    "You have taken leave of your senses."
    "Oh yes," Ola sighed. "I've known that for the last two hours."
    "My dear, you frighten me."
    "Don't be frightened. I'm not. I'm not going to let myself be scared. It's no way to live."
    "But how far can this go? What happens when he has to know the truth?"
    "I don't know. I don't want to think about that."
    "But if you're falling in l- "
    Greta was silenced by Ola's hand over her mouth.
    "Hush! Don't say it. I just want to enjoy this time, however short it is."
    She