The King Without a Heart by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

Greek.”
    â€œNo one told me that, but I did not think that Prince Frederick looked in the least like a Greek.”
    â€œHe has no Greek blood in him.”
    â€œI don’t understand.” Titania looked puzzled.
    â€œIt’s quite easy really,” Darius told her. “King Stelos, who was the present King’s father, married a Greek Princess. She was very lovely and they were blissfully happy, but sadly when their son, Alexius, was only three years old when she died.”
    Titania was listening and found it fascinating what Darius was telling her and thought it was important information that her uncle should have told her and Sophie before they left for the journey.
    â€œUnder pressure from the Prime Minister and the Cabinet,” continued Darius, “King Stelos married again and this time it was a German Princess who, from what I have seen from her portraits was not at all beautiful and like so many Germans very bossy.”
    Titania now realised why she had not liked Prince Frederick and thought he gave himself unwarranted airs.
    As his mother had been German she could understand why he boasted about his achievements and he treated everyone he met as if he was very much their superior.
    â€œI think,” Darius was saying, “that our present King had an unhappy childhood and that could account for the fact that he now does what he wants to do regardless of what his Cabinet says.”
    â€œI am sure they are always telling him that he must make public appearances and speeches,” said Titania. “It is what some Royalty enjoy, but I have always thought it could become very tiresome.”
    Darius did not answer and after a moment she added,
    â€œAt the same time if his people need him, then he should try to help them.” Darius chuckled.
    â€œNow you are being very English and playing mother to the poor little countries like ours, which you have taken under your protection. You are also determined that we should make the best of ourselves.”
    â€œIs that what you think the English do?”
    â€œI have seen them doing it,” replied Darius, “and, as you know, no one does it better than your Queen Victoria!”
    â€œI have heard her called the Matchmaker of Europe ,” remarked Titania. “I suppose in the same way, because she is so old and so important, she does seem to some countries like a Mother Superior .”
    â€œThat is exactly the right word for it,” agreed Darius and they both laughed.
    *
    Â The Battleship passed Sicily and was drawing nearer to Greece.
    At last the Duchess and Sophie aroused themselves to dress and appear at luncheon. It was then, for the first time, that they asked the Ladies-in-Waiting to tell them about the arrangements for the wedding.
    The Minister of State explained who would be meeting them on their arrival.
    â€œThere will of course be His Royal Highness Prince Frederick,” he told Sophie, “the Prime Minister, the Lord Chamberlain and members of the Council.”
    After a pause he continued,
    â€œThere will be two speeches and, Lady Sophie, you will be presented with a bouquet by a child dressed in our national costume.”
    â€œI hope I do not have to say anything,” enquired Sophie, looking worried.
    â€œIt would be very much appreciated if you could say a few words,” the Minister of State answered. “I am sure that if I write them down you would find them quite easy to pronounce.”
    â€œIf I speak, I speak in English,” stated Sophie, tossing her head. “And if people cannot understand me it is their own fault.”
    The Minister of State looked somewhat disconcerted and Darius offered,
    â€œDo let me help you, my Lady, at least to say thank you in Velidosian.”
    Sophie hesitated and then because Darius was a good-looking young man she suggested,
    â€œLet us go and sit in a shady place on deck and I will try to learn just two or three words