Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

now for a few moments and watching her Elva felt it was impossible for her to breathe.
    She felt as if her whole life depended on her aunt’s decision.
    To her the situation seemed very simple indeed. If she and the Duke were intelligent about it, no one would ever know the truth.
    Because the Duke was waiting too, Elva felt she could bear the suspense any longer.
    â€œWhat you must say to Papa, Aunt Violet, is that I am going abroad with some friends and staying with them in either Portugal or Spain for just a few weeks.”
    She saw her aunt was listening to her intently.
    â€œPapa will think they are friends I have met while I have been in London and will not ask any questions. If he does, you do not know the answers. But by the time he is becoming worried or upset by my disappearance we will doubtless be back home.”
    She thought as she spoke the darkness was being swept away from Lady Violet’s eyes. She looked brighter and less worried.
    It was then Elva realised that she was holding a trump card.
    It was really what her father would think which was primarily worrying her aunt.
    â€œPapa will surely not be back for at least two or three weeks,” she piped up. “So if I write to him and you write to him as well, he will not ask any questions until he actually returns. By that time I will be on my way home.”
    She looked at the Duke as she spoke.
    Almost as if she was compelling him to speak up he said,
    â€œIt is of course a possibility – ”
    Lady Violet was about to submit in what she was beginning to feel was a hopeless battle.
    â€œVery well,” she conceded. “I will agree to this fantastic idea simply because I think it will help Varin and Varin, of course, must assist the Prime Minister of England if it is at all possible for him to do so. But it must be as short a visit as you can possibly manage, Varin, and you and your elderly friend must look after Elva and see that she does not get into mischief or in any way besmirch her reputation.”
    â€œShe will not do so, Violet, and I do promise you I will protect her from any unpleasantness there might be, although I cannot imagine what it could possibly be.”
    Lady Violet gave a little sigh.
    â€œYou do not know the Russians. The unexpected always happens there, but perhaps you two will be lucky.”
    â€œVery well,” the Duke became decisive. “I will go and make arrangements for my yacht to be moored in the Thames below the House of Commons and my friend will be waiting for us at Tilbury.”
    For a moment Elva could hardly believe that she had won.
    She gave a cry of delight.
    â€œ I am going abroad ! I am really going abroad! After all these years of reading and dreaming about it, longing to be a traveller, I am really going! Oh, thank you, thank you! I am the happiest girl in the world!”
    She clasped her hands together and looked very lovely as she did so.
    Lady Violet glanced at the Duke.
    She was half afraid she would see in his eyes that small look of admiration that was usually the beginning of something more serious.
    He was in fact looking at his watch!
    â€œAs I have so much to achieve, I think the sooner we are on our way the better. We can leave the day after tomorrow.”
    â€œThat is a very good idea,” replied Lady Violet. “Cousin Muriel will not be aware that Elva has returned to London and will think she is still in the country.”
    â€œElva must be aboard my yacht at seven o’clock on Wednesday morning,” the Duke now stipulated. “The Sea Horse will be ready to sail as soon as we appear and no one – and this is important – but no one must have the slightest idea that we are leaving the country, much less that we are heading for Russia.”
    â€œWe will make sure of it,” promised Lady Violet. “I am sorry, Varin, I have had to involve you in all these troubles and difficulties just when you expected something