Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland

but there is nothing I can do and it would be wicked to drag Gerald’s name through the mud.”
    â€œOf course it would,” agreed Valona.  “And I shall pray every single night when I say my prayers that perhaps one day you will be able to be together.”
    Lady Rose did not answer.
    Valona realised she was thinking it was impossible for there to be any way out of their misery.
    Quite suddenly Lady Rose put her hands up to her eyes.
    â€œI just cannot bear it,” she moaned.  “I really think I would rather die than be married to another man, knowing I can never see my darling Gerald again.”
    There was a painful pause before she added,
    â€œI think I will kill myself.  I believe drowning is not too unpleasant.”
    â€œSuppose you did so,” replied Valona, “and then by some miracle the Marquis became free.  Can you imagine what he would feel?”
    Lady Rose took her hands from her face.
    Her tears had overflowed down her cheeks and she looked very pathetic.
    â€œHow can there be any chance of that?” she asked.  “Gerald’s wife is only twenty-three and the doctors say she could live until she is sixty or seventy.”
    â€œYou never know, Rose, something might happen, but in any case it would be really wicked to take your own life.  Remember, if you are suffering, I am sure that the Marquis is suffering too.”
    â€œHe is,” agreed Lady Rose, “and it breaks my heart when he tells me how much he loves me whilst I know we can never be together.”
    â€œI do think, Rose, that you are giving in too easily.  You must believe that things will come right.  Not at once, but maybe at some point in the years ahead.  Then it would be terrible for you both if, when you could be together, one of you was missing.”
    Lady Rose gave a little sob.
    â€œI understand exactly what you are saying to me.  I only wish I could see even one small ray of sunshine in the darkness ahead.”
    â€œBut it is there!  I am sure it is there.”
    Valona was silent for a moment and then added,
    â€œMama told me that, as I was born under a lucky star, the people in Papa’s country believed that I had a magic eye.  They claimed that when I was older I would be able to tell fortunes.”
    Lady Rose was listening and Valona went on,
    â€œMama said they used to touch my pram hoping it would bring them luck and, when everyone was so terrified at the time of the revolution, I was quite certain that Papa, Mama and I would be able to escape.”
    â€œAnd with your magic eye you can see that Gerald and I will be together?”
    â€œI am sure in my heart that one day, I have no idea when, your love will unite you both and that you will be happy.”
    â€œI want to believe you,” groaned Lady Rose.  “God knows I want to believe you.”
    â€œThen you must pray every night for what you want as my Mama taught me to do, and your Guardian Angel or perhaps even your very special star in the sky, will bring you happiness.”
    â€œI will tell Gerald what you have said, although he will doubtless pooh-pooh the idea, I do know that he would love to believe you are telling the truth.”
    â€œI am telling you something that I sincerely believe is the truth, Rose, and I am quite certain it will all come true, although you may have to wait a little while.”
    â€œEvery day spent without my Gerald will seem like an eternity. But you have made me feel happier and for the moment I promise you I will not drown myself.”
    â€œYou are certainly not to do anything so wicked, or even think about it,” Valona scolded her.
    The two girls were smiling as they walked into the Saloon for dinner.
    The Marquis jumped up from his chair and ran to Lady Rose’s side and exclaimed,
    â€œYou are looking happy.  What has happened?”
    â€œI will tell you all about it later,” she answered him