A Princess Prays by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

for you?”
    â€œI am convinced that nothing is more important to Valdina than that Your Majesty should stay on the throne.”
    The King was well aware by the way Father Jozsef spoke that he knew the Queen desired the throne if he died.
    It was a matter, however, that he felt he should not discuss with the Father, so he merely said,
    â€œIf you really believe, Father, that a pilgrimage to St. Janos will give me back my health, then I am prepared to leave my daughter in your charge.”
    â€œI will take the greatest care of her, Your Majesty, and I think that you are aware that she has another reason for leaving the Palace at this time.”
    The King gave the Father a sharp glance.
    â€œAre you referring to the visit of Prince Otto?”
    He knew as he spoke it was somewhat indiscreet to discuss a Royal guest, but Father Jozsef had always been a privileged person.
    It suddenly dawned on the King that there were a few secrets about the Prince not known to him.
    â€œSince Your Majesty has mentioned him, I can only say that if our beloved Queen Anna was still alive, Prince Otto would never be allowed to cross the threshold of the Palace.”
    The King raised his eyebrows.
    â€œIs he as bad as that?” he enquired. “I really know very little about him.”
    â€œHe is someone, Your Majesty, who should never come into contact with any decent woman and certainly not a young girl who knows very little of the world.”
    The King drew in his breath.
    He recognised that it was really impossible to query anything that Father Jozsef said, but he had no wish at this moment to be involved in a long argument with the Queen.
    After all she had invited Prince Otto and she must have some idea what his reputation was like.
    â€œIf what you have just said is the truth, as of course it is, Father, then I am most grateful to you for taking Attila away.”
    â€œBecause the Princess has no wish to upset anyone, we have agreed between us that the only person who shall know where we have gone and why is Your Majesty.
    â€œWe are in fact leaving at dawn tomorrow morning and we would be grateful if no one was informed that we are missing until we are some way away from the Palace.”
    The King smiled.
    â€œI can see you have thought it all out very carefully and of course you are right. It is always wise to go quickly and avoid explanations.”
    â€œThat is just what Princess Attila felt and therefore no one will have the slightest idea of what has happened to her except Your Majesty.”
    â€œI am so glad that I have been let into your secret, but I cannot believe you are making your pilgrimage on foot.”
    â€œThat is correct,” replied Father Jozsef, “because as Your Majesty well knows I am not as young as I was.”
    His eyes were twinkling as he added,
    â€œMy carriage, where the Princess will sleep, is drawn by two excellent stallions from the Royal stables. We are also taking a mount for me and Samson, which I gather is Her Royal Highness’s favourite mount.”
    The King threw back his head and laughed.
    â€œI might well have guessed, Father, that you would choose the best and you are right to do so. I understand from what you have just told me that you have no wish to take a Royal Guard with you.”
    â€œCertainly not, Your Majesty. We are just two very unimportant people to whom no one will give a second glance going on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Janos.”
    â€œI can see how well you two have thought it all out, Father. You have my full approval and I promise you no one will guess where you and Attila are, but I shall be quite content because she is in your hands.”
    â€œThere is something else I would now wish to say to Your Majesty about yourself.”
    â€œI am listening, Father.”
    â€œI expect Your Majesty will have heard of Salem, the village which is about ten miles from here?”
    â€œYes, it is a small village on a