A Princess Prays by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

King.
    Only as he reached the door did he turn back to say,
    â€œYour Majesty will not forget, please, that no one is to know about Princess Attila’s and my secret.”
    â€œCross my very heart, I will keep it absolutely and completely to myself,” the King promised.
    As the Father left the King felt a surge of hope, just as he had after talking to Attila.
    In addition he felt pleased that the Father had skilfully, without upsetting anyone but the Queen, arranged to spirit Attila away before Prince Otto arrived.
    Now he thought about Otto the King found it hard to understand.
    How could the Queen even contemplate marrying his precious daughter to a man for whom apparently no one had a good word?
    He decided, however, he would not make a fuss. By the time Otto arrived, Attila would have already disappeared.
    Therefore whatever festivities were arranged for the visit of Prince Otto, she would not be around to participate in them.
    When Attila came to kiss him goodnight, he said in a low voice,
    â€œI think really, my dearest, you are saying goodbye to me for quite some time.”
    â€œFather Jozsef and I are going to pray for you and I know, Papa, that you will get well.”
    The King had already given his orders to bring food and water from Salem as Father Jozsef had suggested.
    He did not discuss it with Attila, merely saying,
    â€œI am so very grateful to you for undertaking this pilgrimage on my behalf and I just cannot believe that your prayers, and those of Father Jozsef, will not be answered.”
    â€œI expect as soon as I return I shall be able to ride with you again, Papa, and there is a new horse which I am sure you will find irresistible.”
    â€œI shall be looking forward to it and do take care of yourself, my precious daughter.”
    â€œFather Jozsef will be doing it for me and I expect because I am travelling with him that there will be a dozen invisible angels hovering over us.”
    The King laughed.
    â€œI am certain you are right and because it is such an important pilgrimage, I am only surprised that you are not flying to the Shrine on angels’ wings!”
    Attila laughed and hugged him.
    â€œI knew you would understand, Papa, and not make a fuss because I am going alone with Father Jozsef. If we had other people with us, it would spoil the pilgrimage and make it difficult for us to concentrate on you.”
    â€œI shall be thinking about you all the time you are away, my dearest Attila, and carrying out yours and Father Jozsef’s instructions to the letter.”
    Attila kissed him affectionately before going to her own bedroom.
    She knew that the King was feeling better already because he was not taking the doctors’ medicine and because Father Jozsef would have blessed him.
    â€˜I cannot think why we waited so long and listened to what those stupid doctors had to say,’ she said to herself. ‘It is all my fault, I should have remembered Mama’s herbs earlier and not been frightened by the doctors.’
    It took her some time to go to sleep.
    *
    As she had not drawn back her bedroom curtains, the first gleam of light in the sky woke her.
    It was dawn and Father Jozsef would be waiting for her.
    After her lady’s maid had left her last night, Attila had put out the clothes she was going to wear to travel in.
    She had carried in her large bag and case from the bedroom next door and dressed herself in the clothes she had found in the attic.
    Then, holding on to her luggage, she crept out of her bedroom and down the stairs. There was no one about and she unbolted one of the doors into the garden.
    It was not difficult to find her way across the lawn and under the trees.
    She was glad when she reached the little valley where Father Jozsef’s Chapel was situated.
    Attila had only taken a few steps when Kilkos, the young man who was travelling with them, came running up to her and took her case and bag.
    Then they hurried along the