The King Without a Heart by Barbara Cartland Page A

heart! I have no other words to express what I feel.”
    She did not wait for an answer, but ran across the cobbled yard towards the back door which led into the Palace.
    The King watched her until she was out of sight before giving orders to his Head Groom as to which horses he would require the next morning.
    Titania ran upstairs to her bedroom.
    She could hardly believe that what had happened was not part of a glorious dream, but she knew that Sophie would make a great fuss if she heard about her adventure and so she changed quickly into her morning dress.
    She next walked into the boudoir where her breakfast was ready for her.
    She ate swiftly, but there was no need to do so as it was nearly an hour before Sophie sent for her.
    When she reached her cousin’s bedroom, she found that beside the lady’s maid whom she already knew, there was another in attendance.
    Sophie was addressing the newcomer in English and the woman was then being told by the Velidosi lady’s maid what she had been told the day before and had put out the clothes that Sophie required.
    â€œOh, there you are, Titania,” Sophie called as her cousin entered the room. “I have been supplied with a new lady’s maid who speaks English and I suppose it’s better late than never.”
    â€œI am sure it will be much more comfortable for you,” said Titania in a low voice.
    â€œYou can supervise her to save me the trouble of explaining what I require,” Sophie told her in an uncompromising voice.
    But she did not sound as disagreeable as she usually did in the morning and Titania could only hope that she was happy in her marriage.
    A little while later a message came that Prince Frederick had arranged for Sophie to drive with him into the City, where they were to receive a special wedding present from the Velidosian Members of Parliament which they had not been given the previous day.
    Sophie was immediately in a tizzy, insisting on looking very smart and tried on several hats before she was satisfied with her appearance.
    When she was told that the Prince was waiting for her, she hurried downstairs.
    Titania gave a sigh of relief and went to her boudoir, hoping that Darius would soon appear to take her to the library.
    She was not to be disappointed.
    He came into the room after about five minutes and she jumped up from where she was sitting.
    â€œIs it safe for me to visit the library now?” she asked Darius.
    â€œQuite safe and I will take you a special way which will avoid the footmen on duty in the hall from seeing you.”
    â€œWe sound like conspirators,” Titania smiled at him.
    â€œAs it happens,” Darius told her, “I think that is what we actually are. I assure you that everyone at the Palace would be absolutely amazed if they realised you were being allowed to interrupt His Majesty when he is working in the library.”
    â€œI had to ask him if I could have something to read,” explained Titania. “I could not sit here doing nothing but twiddling my thumbs all day.”
    Darius laughed.
    â€œI cannot imagine you sitting around being idle and I am sure we can think of various ways to keep you amused.”
    Titania did not answer, thinking it was not amusement she needed but occupation.
    Darius took her down a side staircase and they walked along several deserted passages. Finally they reached the library which was situated at the other end of the Palace.
    Titania was taken in through a different door from the one which was used by other visitors, Darius told her.
    One glance at the library told her it was absolutely magnificent and indeed it was exactly as she hoped it would be.
    The upper shelves near the ceiling were reached from a balcony with a balustrade consisting of an elaborate tracery of gilded flower-leaves.
    There must, Titania conjectured, be thousands of books in the room.
    Then she saw the King’s large writing-desk just in front of the door Darius