Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland

across many oceans. She has just been in dry dock for repair and repainting and I agree with you she looks very smart indeed.”
    They were piped aboard.
    The Captain proffered his sincere congratulations to the Duke and the good wishes of every member of the crew.
    â€œDo not forget, Captain Barnard,” pointed out the Duke, “that because of my wife’s recent bereavement our marriage must be kept completely secret.”
    â€œI have not forgotten your instructions, my Lord, and every man on board has been sworn to secrecy.”
    â€œGood. Now please put to sea at once, Captain, and the quicker we sail away from prying eyes the better.”
    The Captain saluted and gave the order to cast off.
    The Duke now took Elva on a tour of his yacht and it was even more fascinating than she had expected.
    Below decks there was a large Master cabin where the Duke normally slept, but now it was decorated with flowers and he told Elva that it was for her use.
    â€œBut I cannot turn you out of your own cabin – ” she began to protest.
    Then without the Duke having to remind her, she remembered they were supposed to be sharing the Master cabin and blushed.
    â€œI am – sorry,” she murmured. “I – forgot.”
    â€œWhich is something you should not do again,” the Duke scolded her sternly.
    He then showed her the yacht’s four other elegantly furnished cabins that were decorated in different colours – pink, blue, green and yellow.
    â€œThat was such a clever idea!” cried Elva, hoping the Duke was not still angry with her.
    â€œI thought it was rather unusual,” the Duke said in a lofty tone, “but so far these cabins have not been used very much as I prefer going to sea alone.”
    Elva thought he was making her even more aware than she was already that she was an encumbrance to him. She continued to admire everything he showed her.
    There was one large and comfortable Saloon where they would take their meals, but what delighted her most was to see that there were two large bookcases packed with books.
    â€œThis is just what I was hoping you would have aboard,” she sighed.
    â€œI did not forget that Cousin Violet said you were a great reader,” answered the Duke. “There are three books on Russia that I hope you will find interesting.”
    â€œOh, how kind of you to be so thoughtful! I found one volume on Russia in Uncle Edward’s library, which I pushed into my luggage when no one was looking.”
    â€œMind you remember to replace it when you return!”
    â€œOf course I will do so, if we ever do return!”
    The Duke laughed.
    â€œI do not think our adventure will be as bad as that. It is not a question of life or death, but more to do with my reputation – and of course yours.”
    Elva noticed a short pause before he remembered to add her reputation, but she merely commented,
    â€œWe have been sent off with so much goodwill and with so many people believing we will be successful that I think we would be very very stupid if we fail.”
    â€œI agree with you, Elva, and with no reservations.”
    She then took a quick glance over the rest of the ship below decks, where the twenty seamen who manned the ship slept and ate.
    It was all very clean and tidy and Elva thought it was typical of the Duke that he would look after the men who all served him so well. He not only made them comfortable with exceptionally good quarters, but also pleased their eyes as well as their bodies.
    â€˜I think,’ she told herself when they went back on deck, ‘that he is exceedingly kind as well as being astute.’
    At the same time she recognised that she was still rather frightened of him.
    She soon learnt as the day passed that the Duke had a habit of detaching himself from the person he was with.
    It meant she was at any moment non-existent and he was almost in another world.
    She could not explain it to