The Gates of Paradise by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

realise that I am not who I pretend to be.”
    â€œWhy should they?  Most of the ladies come from outside the City and have never seen you before.  All you have to do is to behave as you would at home to people in your father’s flock who are on an outing.”
    It was impossible for Narina not to laugh at what he was saying, because it was so true.
    He bowed once again and left her.
    Narina went to her room and stood at the window looking out towards the sea.
    She was thinking how bizarre it all was.
    In a twinkling of an eye she had been transmitted from her quiet home in Hertfordshire to this strange land, where the local people were striving against being overrun by their greedy and aggressive neighbour.
    â€˜They are a small Principality,’ she mused, ‘and very vulnerable.
    Is it really possible that the Union Jack in the shape of the wife of the ruling Prince can possibly save them?’
    Then it was as if the answer to her question came to her straight from Heaven.
    She realised that whatever the cost, Louise, and all those who were so proud of being British would stand and fight – they would defy the enemy and never give in.
    Looking up at the sky as the sunshine was turning the garden into a fairyland of intense beauty, Narina prayed that she would play her part, however small, perfectly and without fault –
    That God would give her the strength and resilience that Alexanderburg so desperately needed.

CHAPTER THREE
    Dressed in one of Louise’s gowns and wearing one of her prettiest hats over her newly arranged hair, Narina walked slowly downstairs.
    There she found an equerry waiting to escort her to the City Hall where the women were congregating.
    The equerry was a young and rather good-looking man and he was obviously impressed by Princess Louise as he took Narina to be.
    He sat in the seat of the carriage opposite to her and Narina thought he looked at her nervously.
    â€œYou must tell me all about the people who I will be meeting,” she asked, “and where they have come from.  I forgot to ask the Lord Chamberlain to give me a list.”
    â€œI have brought it with me just in case Your Royal Highness wanted it.”
    â€œHow clever of you!  And you must remind me of the different places I have visited, just in case they mention somewhere where I have been, as they will be annoyed if I don’t remember it.”
    The equerry laughed.
    â€œIt is rather difficult when there are so many small towns and villages in Alexanderburg.  Also as I come from Vienna, I find it hard to remember the different names myself.”
    â€œThen I just hope they will not notice how ignorant we both are!”
    She realised she had put the equerry at his ease and then she found herself immensely interested in the City.
    She saw it was very pleasantly laid out and the trees bordering the streets gave it a most attractive appearance.
    They passed by the Cathedral and Narina was just about to say she wished to visit it when she remembered that Louise would have been married there – and doubtless she had been there for other occasions such as Easter Day.
    â€˜I must be so careful not to forget I am not myself,’ she reminded herself.
    The City Hall was a very impressive building.
    The Lord Mayor in full regalia met her and several Councillors and the women curtsied low while the men bowed over her hand.
    Then she was taken to a huge hall that was literally packed with women.
    The Lord Mayor made a long speech saying how grateful they all were to Princess Louise for attending their annual meeting.
    From what he said Narina gathered that this was the Alexanderburg equivalent of the Mothers’ Union.
    When the Lord Mayor finished speaking, he turned to Narina and enquired,
    â€œI wonder, Your Royal Highness, if you would like to say a few words to the assembled ladies.”
    â€œOf course I would,” replied Narina.
    She was thankful as she rose to