Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland

either run away before my honeymoon was over or find some subtle way of disposing of them!”
    â€œAll I can say,” said the Duke after a moment’s silence, “is that you frighten me and I am only hoping that you will not push me overboard!”
    â€œNow you are being really silly. You know quite well that you are very intelligent and I find everything you say so interesting when I can persuade you to talk to me.”
    â€œI suppose I should accept that as one of the best compliments I have ever received,” responded the Duke sarcastically.
    â€œBut it is a genuine one, Cousin Varin.”
    Because he was amused by her strong feelings, the Duke deliberately provoked an argument when they dined together later.
    Soon they were sparring with words at every meal and Elva found everything he said not only controversial but stimulating.
    By this time they were moving slowly up the Gulf of Finland.
    The voyage was coming to an end and there would be no further chance for Elva to duel with the Duke with words.
    It was on the fifteenth day of their voyage that the Duke said when it was time to retire to bed,
    â€œWe will arrive tomorrow. I have told the Captain not to tie up alongside until midday and I would hope that there will be someone from the Embassy to meet us on the dock and will inform us as to where we are to stay in St Petersburg.”
    â€œAnd if no one appears,” enquired Elva, “what do we do then?”
    â€œWe shall have to go to the British Embassy to find out what has been arranged, but I think we will find there will be someone to meet us.”
    â€œI feel sure there should be,” commented Elva. “I do not believe that the Russians have many such important visitors as the Duke and Duchess of Sparkbrook arriving here every day.”
    â€œThey have been fighting violently with Sweden for the last few months, Elva, and your aunt told me that the Empress could even hear guns when she was in residence at her Palace.”
    â€œI would have thought it could have been very dangerous for her,”
    â€œApparently she was extremely brave and refused to move away from St. Petersburg. She may have faults, but she is a very courageous woman.”
    Elva smiled.
    â€œI think it was Voltaire who addressed her as, ‘ the great man whose name is Catherine’ .”
    The Duke’s eyes twinkled.
    It always amused him when Elva came up with a quick witty remark in response to anything he said.
    â€œI expect they are now preparing the terms of the Treaty with Sweden, but where you and I are concerned, Elva, it is a case of ‘let the battle begin’.”
    Elva looked at him.
    â€œWe shall win,” she mused. “I feel it in my bones, as my Nanny used to say.”
    â€œI shall feel it will be true when we rejoin the Sea Horse and sail home with all our flags flying, hopefully not at half-mast!”
    â€œDanton tells me,” added Elva confidentially, “that you are always a winner and however difficult the task you undertake, you always pull it off.”
    â€œDanton or no Danton,” the Duke insisted, “this is a somewhat different task from anything I have yet to undertake. Quite frankly, Elva, we will have to use our brains with every breath we breathe.”
    â€œI know that,” replied Elva quietly. “But I am sure once a winner always a winner, which particularly applies to you .”
    The Duke smiled but he did not answer.
    She sensed that he was inwardly a little nervous of whatever they were going to encounter when they reached St. Petersburg.
    *
    The next morning Elva stood on deck and watched as the Sea Horse moved slowly along the river Neva. As they had sailed up the Gulf of Finland she had seen the Kronstadt in the distance seeming to rise out of the sea.
    Ahead there was an enormous grand harbour and a range of tall ships with the sun shining on the smooth blue sea covered with vessels, which Elva