Ruled by Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

different drink that was not offered to the rest of the party.
    She was wondering what it could possibly be as he quickly emptied his glass and then it was instantly refilled by a footman every time he drank from it.
    As Prince Majmir had very little to contribute, the conversation might have been most dreary and boring, but the Count started to amuse them with many stories of the horses he had ridden at home and of races he had tried to arrange without success.
    Zoleka realised that Udele was listening rapturously to the Count’s tales.
    She thought it must be the very first time the poor girl had been allowed to attend a dinner with a young and handsome man, so completely different from her elderly and dull governesses.
    â€˜The Count is so right,’ she mused, ‘we must cheer up the evenings in this dismal Palace or we will all begin to feel depressed.’
    As Prince Majmir seemed to have nothing to say to her, Zoleka talked to the others and Pieter joined in with a number of extremely amusing anecdotes.
    Course followed course each less imaginative than the last, but the champagne sparkled and on the whole, she thought, the conversation did too.
    She politely addressed quite a number of remarks to Prince Majmir and yet because he was so slow in replying, it was usually the Count who answered first.
    Finally they reached the last course and desert was being served. Turning politely to say a word to her host, Zoleka was aware that his eyes were closing.
    She looked at him in astonishment and then to her even greater surprise Anton and the Count rose.
    Almost before Zoleka realised what was happening they helped the Prince out of his chair and more or less carried him from the room.
    She looked at Pieter for an explanation and he told her quietly,
    â€œI had heard before we came here that this always happens in the evening.”
    â€œYou mean he is drunk ?” she asked in a whisper.
    â€œContinually.  Now you will surely understand why it is wiser not to dine with His Royal Highness.”
    â€œI had no idea!” exclaimed Zoleka, “I never thought of anything like this happening.”
    Some moments passed before the Count and Anton returned. They sat down as if nothing had happened and carried on the conversation from where they had left off.
    She realised they were being most tactful and were determined to say nothing in front of the servants.
    When dessert was finished, Zoleka turned to Anton.
    â€œWhat is usual here? At home, because my mother was English, the ladies would leave the gentlemen to their port. But in other countries like France there are different ways of behaving.”
    â€œAs I personally don’t care for port,” suggested the Count, “I think we should all adjourn to the sitting room where I am sure there will be coffee and liqueurs.”
    Anton Bauer gave a laugh.
    â€œThat would be something unusual, but I will see to it. Princess Udele knows the way to the room which you will be using in the future.”
    â€œIs that the one you showed me yesterday?” Udele asked him.
    â€œYes, Your Royal Highness.”
    â€œOh, that is good. It is a very nice room and I am sure our guests will like it.”
    â€œLet’s all come with you and see it for ourselves,” proposed Zoleka.
    They walked back into the other part of the Palace and Udele led them into a room which she said was always used by guests.
    It was a beautifully furnished room with many fine pictures on the walls and exquisitely carved gold mirrors, an amazing contrast to the dreary rooms occupied by Prince Majmir.
    Zoleka looked at Anton for an explanation.
    â€œThese rooms were decorated for Princess Udele’s mother just before she died. She had been complaining for a long time about the Palace looking dull and dismal, and finally Prince Majmir gave in and ordered the decoration of several rooms as a Christmas present.”
    He gave a sigh before he continued,
    â€œI