Ruled by Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

borrowed gown in wonder.
    Â  “We are going shopping tomorrow and no one shall stop us, and then a real fairytale Princess will astonish and delight the whole of Krnov.”
    Udele was amused by the idea.
    When they walked down the stairs together, she was talking animatedly.
    An aide-de-camp was waiting in the hall to escort them to Prince Majmir’s private apartments.
    He was elderly and Zoleka thought Anton had been quite right in thinking it would be a mistake to have him to dinner with them.
    They walked slowly along numerous high-ceilinged corridors until they reached the end of the Palace, where the private apartments of the Prince were situated.
    The aide-de-camp ushered them into an anteroom where the Count and Pieter Seitz were waiting. For the moment there was no sign of Prince Majmir.
    The Count greeted them effusively.
    â€œI was beginning to be afraid that I had lost you both, but now you appear like two angels from Heaven!”
    â€œI am so glad we look like angels,” replied Zoleka. “Both Udele and I are hoping for compliments!”
    The Count laughed.
    â€œThat is what I was just about to pay you. May I say I am very proud to be dining with two such beautiful young ladies?”
    Zoleka realised that Udele was looking at him with wide eyes and she was quite certain that this was the first compliment the poor girl had ever received.
    â€œYou may,” Zoleka mock-curtsied to the Count and smiled at Udele to encourage her too to accept the compliment graciously.
    Pieter was too much of the diplomat not to add his appreciation as well, so he bowed and kissed the hand of both the Princesses saying,
    â€œI am most honoured to be here tonight at what I believe will be the beginning of a new chapter for Krnov. And who could make it all more memorable than two such lovely Princesses?”
    As he finished speaking the door at the other end of the room opened.
    Another aide-de-camp , even older than the one who originally escorted them into the Palace, announced,
    â€œHis Royal Highness is ready to receive his guests.”
    Zoleka walked towards the door.
    They had to cross a passage and into another room where Prince Majmir was waiting.
    She was not sure what to expect, but as the door opened she was surprised to see a rather decrepit man in the centre of the room waiting to receive them.
    His evening clothes did not seem to fit him and his hair, which was slightly grey, was unkempt.
    Even before she reached him, Zoleka’s instinct told her that there was something very wrong.
    However, she swept dutifully to the floor into a low curtsy and Prince Majmir bowed to her in return.
    â€œWelcome to Krnov. I very much hope Your Royal Highness will enjoy being here with us.”
    â€œI am certain I shall. It is exceedingly gracious of Your Royal Highness to invite me to your Palace and I am delighted to be your guest.”
    Then Zoleka presented the Count and she noticed that Prince Majmir was rather surprised to find he was one of the party.
    To Pieter Seitz he appeared condescending as if he thought he was of no particular consequence.
    It was then that Anton Bauer joined them.
    As he seemed a little flustered, Zoleka guessed that he had been making adjustments to the dinner or perhaps rearranging the seating plan.
    Dinner was to be served in Prince Majmir’s private dining room next to the room where he had received them.
    Neither room was at all impressive – there were no flowers in either and the silver on the dining room table was unpolished.
    Zoleka was seated on Prince Majmir’s right and his daughter on his left with the Count on the other side of her.
    They were waited on by four servants, but the fare, Zoleka considered, was not particularly interesting.
    She knew her father would not have thought it good enough for visiting Royalty or anyone else for that matter.
    There was champagne, but she noticed that before it was served Prince Majmir was given a