Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland Page B

food at Athens which we shall enjoy,” remarked the Duke.
    He walked across to the porthole and looked out at the sea.
    The Aegean Sea was brilliant blue and glassy calm with the sun shining overhead.
    It was the sort of weather any traveller would be happy to find when exploring a new country and the Duke knew that normally he would be delighted.
    But there was still the ominous darkness of the Russians hanging over what lay ahead for them.
    To take his mind off these worries he discussed the history of Greece again with Valona and soon they were both enjoying an animated discourse on the merits of the Greek Philosophers.
    It always amused the Duke when he found a very pretty woman who used her brains, as he had noted that far too many of the beauties in London were only interested in themselves and their appearance.
    On the subject of Greece they both naturally talked about Olympus.
    The Duke had visited the mountain only to find it rather disappointing.
    â€œThere was no feeling of holiness that I somehow expected to find there,” he reflected.
    Valona longed to tell him how different Delos was – yet somehow it was impossible to put into words what she felt when she had stood on the island.
    She still felt the glory of it within herself.
    The Duke was aware that there was a reserve about her that had not been there before, so he deliberately turned the conversation to other matters.
    When luncheon was over, they went up on deck.
    There was little to see except the blue sea through which they were moving at what the Captain said proudly was a record speed.
    â€œWe will certainly be at Zante, Your Grace, by six o’clock, if not earlier,” he boasted.
    â€œI do congratulate you, Captain, I had no idea that these heavily armoured battleships could travel so fast!”
    He realised that his praise pleased the Captain and after paying him several more compliments, he and Valona went below.
    â€œI intend to write a letter to Mama,” she said.  “I hope if we post it as soon as we arrive, it will not take too long to reach her.”
    The Duke picked up the newspaper again, while she sat down at the writing desk.
    She wrote two pages to her mother, telling her what she had seen in Athens and also a little about Delos.
    She did not mention what had happened with Lady Rose and the Marquis, knowing that it was a secret that must not be revealed to anyone till the Duke gave her permission to do so.
    This meant that she could not tell her mother either that she had agreed to marry the King in Rose’s place.
    Then, as she signed her name with endless love and kisses, she was aware that the battleship was slowing down.
    She was about to say that it seemed a little strange, when she looked round and saw that the Duke was asleep.
    She therefore started another page of her letter and told her mother how very kind and considerate the Duke had been to her.
    The only good news she could think of concerning her own future was that her mother would doubtless enjoy coming out to Larissa.
    The engines of the battleship, having slowed down, started up again.
    As they did so, the Duke woke up.
    â€œHave I been asleep?” he muttered.
    â€œYou have,” answered Valona, “and I think it must have been the engines that woke you.”
    â€œEngines?  What do you mean?”
    Before Valona could explain, the door of the Saloon opened.
    The Steward announced,
    â€œHis Royal Highness Prince Ajax, Your Grace.”
    Both the Duke and Valona stared at the newcomer in astonishment.
    Then, as he entered the Saloon, Valona gave a gasp.
    For one moment she thought she must be dreaming and imagining what she saw.
    The man joining them seemed to be her image of Apollo himself.
    The Duke and Valona rose to their feet as Prince Ajax came towards them.
    It was then that Valona told herself her eyes must have deceived her – it was a tall, exceedingly handsome young man who had just joined them, but