Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

was sure were now at sea as for the first time for months they had not been confined to port while the armies of Sweden and Russia fought it out on the battlefield.
    There were guard ships, frigates and small vessels of all sizes moving over the calm sea.
    It was all very colourful and beautiful and Elva felt that they were entering an enchanted land.
    Equally Russia was an Empire that was puzzling and alarming to everyone in Europe.
    The Sea Horse came alongside a pier and almost immediately a smartly dressed Englishman obviously from the British Embassy came aboard.
    The Duke was waiting for him and he bowed very politely as he introduced himself,
    â€œI am Harold Barnier, Your Grace, First Secretary in charge of the British Embassy in St. Petersburg as Mr. William Falkner, our Ambassador, has left for Turkey.”
    â€œIt is most kind of you to meet us at the quay. I must admit I had no idea that Mr Falkner would not be in residence.”
    â€œHe has only just departed, Your Grace, with Mr. Whitworth, the Envoy Extraordinary and British Minister Plenipotentiary on a special mission, so I am now in charge.”
    â€œI hope you will not find your duties too arduous,” observed the Duke. “Allow me to present my wife.”
    Elva who was standing a little way from him came forward.
    She shook Mr. Barnier’s hand and he bowed to her very politely saying,
    â€œThe Prime Minister informed us, Your Grace, that you have just been married. May I therefore offer you our warmest congratulations on behalf of the British Embassy in St. Petersburg?”
    â€œThank you so much,” replied Elva, but the Duke quickly intervened in the conversation.
    â€œI am sure the Prime Minister will have informed you that our marriage is to remain a complete secret until my wife is out of mourning. There is no need at all for the Russians to know that she has been recently bereaved, but in England they would think it very unfeeling of her if she had come on our honeymoon when she was still in deep mourning.”
    â€œI fully understand, Your Grace, and I can assure you that we will be very discreet in the matter.”
    â€œI hope you have found us somewhere comfortable to stay – I expect St. Petersburg is very busy at present.”
    â€œIt is indeed,” replied Mr. Barnier, “and that is why when I received my instructions from the Prime Minister, I consulted the Palace.”
    There was a pause before the Duke quizzed him,
    â€œWhat was the reply?”
    â€œThe Empress sent special instructions that you are to be accommodated at the Winter Palace.”
    As Mr. Barnier spoke, Elva realised that the Duke had stiffened before he answered,
    â€œThis is a very great honour. But I have no wish to be an encumbrance on Her Majesty.”
    â€œI am sure she will not feel so, Your Grace. But as you have just intimated, the City is indeed overcrowded at present owing to the many festivities Prince Potemkin is arranging in honour of the Empress.”
    â€œPrince Potemkin!” exclaimed the Duke. “Can he be here in the Capital?”
    â€œHe has returned to St. Petersburg unexpectedly.”
    â€œBut I thought he was dealing with the troubles in the South?”
    Mr. Barnier threw up his hands.
    â€œWe are all aware that the war against the Turks has reached a critical phase,” he said, “and they are in fact weakening.”
    â€œBut the Prince has come here?” the Duke queried him again as if he could hardly believe the news.
    â€œI understand,” resumed Mr. Barnier, lowering his voice, “that Prince Potemkin left his head-quarters at Jassy in Moldavia, where he has been holding his own Court in what we are told is great Oriental pomp. He arrived ten days ago in St. Petersburg.”
    â€œWas the Empress pleased to see him?”
    â€œWe are made to understand that she greeted him with every honour and tribute. In fact – ”
    He looked over his