Love and Apollo by Barbara Cartland

Principalities the Russians have already occupied are being treated like slaves and have no way of regaining their individual identity.”
    Valona gave a deep sigh.
    â€œI can appreciate how terrifying it is for them and I only hope you are right, that my bringing the protection of Great Britain to Larissa will not be in vain.”
    â€œI am quite convinced that once you are established as Queen under British protection, the Russians will begin to withdraw.  The Larissians will then be given the unique opportunity to develop independently and will not become just another Russian dependency.”
    â€œI do hope you are right,” Valona responded almost as if she was speaking to herself.
    Because the Duke did not want her to be depressed, he talked of other matters until they were back at the port.
    â€œI shall tell the Captain to put to sea immediately,” he said as they drew near to the battleship.
    â€œWhat are you going to tell him about Rose and the Marquis?”
    â€œI have been thinking about that problem.  I intend to tell him what Gerald has suggested I tell the King and the Court when we arrive at Larissa.”
    â€œAnd what is that?” Valona asked a little nervously.
    â€œHe suggested we say that Rose was feeling ill and saw a doctor when we arrived in Athens.  He said it was essential that she should immediately go into hospital to be examined.  It was therefore impossible for her to sail with us as was intended.  As Gerald has been appointed by the Queen to look after her, he was obliged to stay with her.”
    â€œThat is very clever!” exclaimed Valona.
    The Duke went on,
    â€œIt was hoped that the results of the examination, which was to take place tomorrow, would not be as serious as they feared, in which case they would follow us.”
    The Duke paused as if he was thinking.
    â€œFor the moment, because of the serious condition of the King, which we heard about at the British Embassy, we thought it wise to go ahead and make the Russians in Larissa aware that the King’s bride was only temporarily delayed.”
    Valona was listening wide-eyed and she queried,
    â€œYou are not going to mention me?”
    â€œI intend to inform the Captain confidentially that if my sister is as ill as feared and has to undergo an operation, you have volunteered, having the same Royal blood as her, to take her place.
    â€œNaturally I shall ask him to swear that he will keep this suggestion a close secret in case it proves impossible for Rose to join us as we hoped.”
    Valona gave another little sigh.
    â€œIt all sounds very complicated and I only hope the Captain believes you.”
    She looked at the Duke a little anxiously before she added,
    â€œYou will have to tell a totally different story when we arrive.”
    â€œI know, Valona, but there is no necessity for the Captain to know too much at this stage and when you do marry the King, he will just think that we have received bad news from Athens.”
    â€œIt all seems so clever, but I can only hope that no one realises who Mr. and Mrs. Sharm really are.  It would be terribly bad luck if they met any friends when they were looking at the Pyramids.”
    The Duke smiled.
    â€œIf they do, I should imagine Gerald with his fertile imagination will invent a marvellous explanation of where you and I are at that moment!”
    Valona laughed.
    â€œIt all gets more and more convoluted.  My mother always said to me, when I was a little girl, ‘one lie leads to another lie,’ and that is exactly what is happening now!”
    â€œAs long as they are all white lies because we are helping other people, I am not particularly perturbed about them.  The only thing which matters about a lie is not to be caught out!”
    Because of the way he spoke Valona laughed again.
    â€œWe will both have to be extremely careful, Cousin Arthur.  You have not forgotten you promised that we