Love and Apollo Read Free Page A

grateful to Her Majesty for her kindness and that she would consider it a great privilege to marry His Majesty King Phidias.
    â€œI understand, ma’am,” the Duke continued, “from Lord Rosebery that Your Majesty is generous enough to send us in a battleship to Larissa.”
    â€œI think that is important,” the Queen replied.  “It will make the Russians, who I understand are infiltrating into Larissa, aware we mean business if they try to force the King to abdicate and take over the country.”
    â€œI doubt after the way they behaved in Bulgaria to Prince Alexander of Battenburg, that they would go so far now as they did then.  At the same time, just by infiltrating amongst the people they can ferment riots and strikes.  In fact they can make it impossible for the King to rule.”
    The Queen nodded.
    â€œI am very aware of the situation in the Balkans and that is why I want your sister’s marriage to take place as quickly as possible.”
    â€œWe have been delayed, ma’am, by the sad death of Lady Sarah Warren, who was to become my sister’s Lady in-Waiting.  I thought it would be a splendid idea, if Your Majesty will approve, to appoint the daughter of Princess Louise of Piracus, who is willing to take her place.”
    The Duke saw the surprise in the Queen’s eyes and there was a pause before she replied, as she had obviously forgotten all about the very existence of Princess Louise.
    The Queen possessed a very quick brain and where her orders were concerned, she made as few difficulties as possible.
    â€œI congratulate you, Your Grace, I did not think that Princess Louise’s daughter was old enough for such a task.  But if, as you say, she is ready to travel to Larissa, I am delighted to give my approval for her to be your sister’s Lady-in-Waiting.”
    â€œYour Majesty is most gracious and my sister and I would be most grateful if Your Majesty would consider the appointment of the Marquis of Dorsham to represent Your Majesty at the wedding.”
    â€œThe Marquis of Dorsham?” the Queen queried at once with a faint note of surprise in her voice.
    Then she remembered that he was a close friend of the Duke.
    â€œI see no reason, Your Grace, why he could not go.  I believe he was very capable when he looked after one of my granddaughters a year ago.”
    â€œI am sure he will be the same in Larissa, ma’am.  Once again I must thank Your Majesty on behalf of my sister and my whole family.”
    He bowed and kissed the Queen’s hand and backed his way slowly from the room.
    Once outside he thought with some satisfaction that he had carried off what could have been a rather difficult situation.
    Rose had won her own way.
    But it was more than that which pleased him as he left Windsor Castle.
    It was obvious that the Queen had no idea of what his sister and the Marquis felt for each other.
    She could not have heard even a whisper that they were interested in each other, let alone in love.
    If she had heard anything she would undoubtedly never have agreed to the Marquis travelling with them to represent her at Larissa.
    Her Majesty would have then produced an elderly, tiresome and garrulous courtier.
    And Rose would have been even more upset than she was already.
    â€˜We are lucky in that if in nothing else,’ the Duke ruminated as he drove down to Hampton Court.
    He had believed it a mistake to ask Princess Louise first if her daughter could go to Larissa, as he did not want to raise their hopes just in case the Queen had refused point blank to appoint anyone so young.
    Now the Duke thought of it, Her Majesty had not asked Valona’s age.
    Had it been because she had forgotten all about the existence of her mother?
    â€˜That is yet another point on which we were very lucky,’ the Duke mused to himself with a smile.
    He knocked gently at the door and entered the small Grace and Favour house where