Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland Page A

mysteriously.
    Dinner seemed more amusing that night than it had been on previous nights.
    When they went to bed, Valona thought it had been the happiest evening they had spent together yet.
    She was feeling particularly excited because they were stopping at Gibraltar tomorrow and she so wanted to visit the Rock.
    The Duke had promised he would take her ashore and she would see the famous monkeys.
    She felt so glad that they were not going to Larissa without stopping en route.
    *
    â€œWas there anything waiting for you at Government House?” the Duke asked the Marquis when he returned on board after their short stop in Gibraltar.
    The Marquis shook his head.
    â€œNothing of any importance except that my trainer has entered one of my horses in the big race at Epsom this afternoon.”
    â€œDo you think it will win?” the Duke enquired.
    â€œIt might do.”
    â€œIt’s a pity you are not there to see him first past the winning post!”
    The Marquis smiled.
    â€œI would rather be here at the moment,” he replied emphatically and walked away.
    The sun was shining brightly and the Mediterranean was blue and Valona thought it was very beautiful.
    The battleship did not take long to reach Marseilles and again the Marquis set off to visit the British Consulate.
    The Duke, however, told Valona that there was no point in going ashore as there was very little to see.
    â€œJust a busy French commercial town,” he told her, “and you can do all the sightseeing you could ever desire when we reach Naples and then on to Venice.”
    â€œI am longing to see the canals,” said Valona, “and I have read the complete history of Venice and, of course, seen pictures of it.”
    â€œI just hope you will not be too disappointed.  I have often found myself, when I have been travelling, that the description of the place is often far more exciting than the place itself.”
    â€œI think that sounds rather blasé.  Perhaps travelling to too many cities has spoilt you?  I really cannot believe that there is not something new and exciting to see in every foreign town.”
    The Duke chortled.
    â€œAs you are so much of an optimist, I will merely wish you luck and not try to disillusion you, Valona.”
    â€œI don’t think I shall be disillusioned in any way,” she persisted.  “But books always pick out the very best of the sights and historic buildings to write up, and sometimes they ignore special little gems of even greater interest than the major attractions.”
    The Duke laughed and continued to tease her.
    At the same time he felt it was quite extraordinary that this young girl, having no experience of the world, had worked out such truths for herself.
    He had noticed at dinner that she always had something unusual and intelligent to contribute to the conversation.
    In fact, he said to himself, she is almost too good to be true!
    â€˜She looks,’ he ruminated, ‘just as beautiful as she ought to in the clothes I have provided for her!’
    He liked the unselfconscious way that Valona had thanked him and she politely asked his opinion about every new gown she put on.
    â€œMama hesitated over this one,” she had remarked this morning when she came up on deck.  “She thought that any colour would be a little too bright for England, but I hope you will think this is just right for the Mediterranean.”
    â€œYou look very lovely in it,” commented the Duke.
    Valona gave a little skip of delight.
    â€œThat is exactly what I want to hear and I shall write and tell Mama what you have said.”
    The Duke thought when they returned to England he would organise one of his relations to introduce Valona to London Society.
    She would certainly shine at all the balls that took place every night in the Season.
    He would also ensure that she and her mother were invited when there was a ball or some particularly grand occasion at