Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland

vaguely. “What particularly did he say?”
    â€œHe was talking about how spiteful and vengeful Russians could be if they were offended in any way. He told us about the Empress Anna who was a very plain and unpleasant woman whom no one liked.”
    â€œI remember the lecture now. Do go on, Varin.”
    â€œApparently,” the Duke continued, “Prince Michael Gallitzin had offended her by refusing to do something she demanded and he also infuriated her by marrying a Roman Catholic.”
    â€œNow I am just beginning to recall the story,” the Prime Minister murmured.
    â€œThe Prince made a further mistake by becoming a Catholic himself. The Empress next commanded him to be her page, but that was only the beginning.”
    â€œI remember now,” interrupted the Prime Minister, “and she built an elaborate Ice Palace at a cost of seven thousand pounds!”
    â€œThat’s right, William, and when the Prince’s wife died, she ordered the unfortunate widower to marry again this time to a bride of her own choice.”
    â€œWho was hideous!”
    â€œExactly,” agreed the Duke. “The Empress had commanded the Provincial Governors to each send the ugliest female representative they could find of the native race they were governing.”
    â€œI remember the lecturer telling us,” the Prime Minister was now warming to the conversation, “that the representatives all travelled to the wedding in barbarous equipages drawn by pigs, dogs and goats!”
    â€œThat is indeed right and the wretched bridal pair were forced to travel to the Church in a cage on the back of an elephant!”
    â€œIt is too ridiculous to even think about!” the Prime Minister exclaimed.
    â€œYou may recall there was more to come,” added the Duke. “The couple were forced to sit on a dais and watch the merry-making at the reception. When the party was over they were ordered into the Ice Palace, stripped naked and made to spend the night in a bedroom in which all the furniture was made entirely of ice. Guards were placed at the doors to prevent them from escaping.”
    â€œI now recollect the story only too well,” the Prime Minister said laughing. “Do you really think something like that might happen to you, Varin?”
    â€œAccording to dear cousin Violet it might indeed,” the Duke answered, “and it is something I can assure you I am not going to risk under any circumstances.”
    The Prime Minister was silent for a moment.
    â€œYou mean that you will not go to Russia for me, Varin?”
    â€œI will travel to Russia, but in a manner which demands complete secrecy between you, me and Violet.”
    The Prime Minister, who had been beginning to look depressed, brightened up a little.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” he demanded.
    â€œI mean I shall be travelling ostensibly with my ‘wife’, the Duchess of Sparkbrook.”
    The Prime Minister stared at him.
    â€œYour wife ?” he queried.
    â€œI did say my wife, William. We shall be on our honeymoon and I cannot believe that a Russian Empress, extraordinary and insatiable though she may be, would try to separate a bridegroom from his bride the moment they are married.”
    â€œIt is a brilliant idea of yours, Varin. But what woman could you ever trust not to tell the story when she returned home? It undoubtedly could cause a grave and serious diplomatic incident between us and Russia.”
    The Duke now smiled as if he was delighted to be perplexing his friend.
    â€œI know someone who will pretend to be my wife,” he said, “and who I assure you will never breathe a word of anything because it could ruin her reputation.”
    â€œWho can this paragon of virtue be?” enquired the Prime Minister.
    â€œActually she is a cousin of mine, the daughter of the Earl of Chartham, who of course you know.”
    â€œHe made such an excellent speech in the House of