The Gates of Paradise by Barbara Cartland

your feet!”
    â€œBut suppose he insists on seeing Prince Rudolf?”
    â€œIf we are forced to take him into the sick room and the Prince is asleep with the sunlight excluded, he cannot think there is anything unusual or suspicious about that.”
    â€œI do see your point, Lord Chamberlain, but you are quite certain that I must entertain him?”
    â€œOf course you must.  I have arranged for a dinner to be held in the Palace tonight to which I have invited the Prime Minister and his wife, as well as a young Statesman with his very pretty wife he married only a short time ago.”
    â€œIs that all?”
    â€œIt is quite enough.  I don’t want to include a large number of guests, who might by some mischance just say something which would make him suspect that things are not as entirely peaceful in this country as we pretend.”
    Narina looked at him in a startled way.
    â€œAre you saying the Russians are creating trouble?”
    â€œNot openly, but there are rumours that in outlying villages they are trying to stir up dissatisfaction.  Although we cannot pinpoint it, we are aware that it is happening.”
    â€œAnd you think that this Prince Hans will report to the Russians that their agents are being successful?”
    â€œUndoubtedly, if he thinks it is significant enough.  As you must know, Russia has, for a long time, wanted Alexanderburg to be joined to them.”
    â€œIt is most unfortunate that you actually border on Russian territory,”
    â€œThat is what I have often thought myself, but there is nothing we can do about it except fight desperately with every possible weapon to retain our independence.”
    He spoke with a tone in his voice that told Narina how much it meant to him.
    She knew if anyone had to sacrifice his life to save Alexanderburg it would be the Lord Chamberlain.
    â€œI will do everything you want me to do, but please don’t let me make mistakes. It would be ghastly if I was responsible for letting the enemy into our midst.”
    â€œThat is what I often feel myself, so I want you to be as pleasant as you can manage to Prince Hans tonight.  He will flirt with you, as he always flirts with every pretty woman he comes into contact with.”
    â€œHow old is he?” enquired Narina.
    â€œGetting on for thirty-five.  I believe he was a terror when he was a child and has not changed much since he grew up.  He is a gossip-monger who loves to stir up trouble, but it would be dangerous to underestimate him.”
    â€œWhat does he gain by behaving like this?”
    â€œPower and influence.  He adores both and he has in his own peculiar way made himself quite important to a number of countries.  I am told that the Czarina dotes on him and makes a huge fuss of him whenever he visits St. Petersburg.”
    â€œAnd you think he has a special reason for coming to Alexanderburg now?”
    He paused before responding,
    â€œPerhaps I am being imaginative and ultrasensitive, but he is the very last person I would welcome to the Palace now.  Yet it is impossible to keep him away.”
    â€œI promise you I will do my best to help.  Just tell me what I must do and I will be very careful what I say.”
    â€œThe one thing he is not to find out, is that you are taking the place of Her Royal Highness and that Michael Ward, of all people, is actually in Prince Rudolf’s bed.”
    He gave a laugh with no humour in it.
    â€œIt would be a tale to sweep across the dinner tables of Europe and the Russians would use it as a key to open the door and let themselves into this country.”
    â€œSo what do you want me to do, Lord Chaberlain?”
    â€œI want you first to come downstairs for luncheon, at which there will be no guests and then you can talk to Prince Hans, or rather listen to him without interruption.”
    â€œYou are quite certain he has never seen Louise?”
    â€œHe has never set