She was silent and then she asked tentatively,
“Did – you feel – anything like that?”
“For me, my lovely one,” Rex answered, “our love was an ecstasy beyond words and I have never, this is true, felt so happy or so fulfilled.”
“Oh, I am glad – so very – very – glad.”
“It can all be summed up in one word – love.”
“I love you! I love you!”
“You are quite certain I have not hurt or frightened you?” he asked. “I meant, my glorious darling, to be very gentle, to woo you very slowly so that you would never be afraid.”
“I am not – afraid,” Quenella answered, “but I did not know that one could be utterly consumed in a fire and it would be the most perfect – the most marvellous thing that could ever – happen.”
“The fire of love!”
“That is what it – was like.”
He swept her hair back from her face and looked down at her and in the last dying light from the logs he saw her eyes gazing up at him and her lips inviting his.
“I have so much to teach you, my beautiful flower, and there is so much for you to teach me.”
“About – what?”
“About our souls, our spirits and our bodies,” he answered. “We have both been struggling alone. Now there is the joy of thinking and feeling the same and of finding our way together up to the highest peak.”
“You said that it was – possible to achieve the – impossible,” Quenella whispered, “and you are so – right.”
Rex took the last word from her lips with his and, only when he had kissed her until she was breathless and until her heart was beating as frantically as his, did he say,
“I must let you sleep, my darling. We are leaving quite early tomorrow and we will be riding.”
“Where are we – going?”
“There are many places I wish to show you, Holy places, places that are not known to the ordinary visitors to Naini Tal.”
“I shall love that.”
“They can only be reached on horseback.”
“Can we really go alone?”
“If you are prepared to risk meeting the spirits and the Gods who live in the mountains, then I promise you that there will be no need for any escort.”
Quenella gave a little sigh of sheer happiness.
“Oh, Rex, I never thought anything so – wonderful could be – waiting for me, but I would not have you risk being in – danger even to make me – happy”
“You are thinking of me?”
“Who else?” she asked. “There is no one else. You fill the whole world, the sky, the mountains and – the plains.”
She hesitated on the last words and Rex asked,
“Why did you say ‘plains’ like that?”
“Because of what the Saddhu said to me.”
“What Saddhu?”
“He was sitting in the compound and he told me that I was looking for the – heights, but that I must also go – down into the – plains.”
She hesitated for a moment and then she said,
“I think that he – meant by the – plains, the fire and sensations you have just given me.”
“That is what I thought.”
“The Saddhu said that the heights and the plains – complemented each other and that that was the – way to enlightenment.”
“Which we will find together.”
“Oh, darling, darling Rex!” she cried passionately. “How could I have believed when I left England that this – would happen to me?”
“It has happened,” he answered. “And this is only the beginning. We have so much more to do together.”
He was about to kiss her, but she hid her face as she asked,
“There is – something – I want to say to you.”
“What is it?”
He knew that she was searching for words and he waited, believing that he had never known that such happiness existed.
Quenella’s voice was like music as she said,
“The books you gave me said that Hindu girls – worship their husbands because each – believes her husband to be – Krishna, the – God of Love.”
“That is true.”
“And – ” Quenella whispered, “the – act of love – is therefore – Divine.”
Rex did not speak and she went on,
“That is what – I felt. To me you are – Krishna, the love you – give me is – Holy and – I worship you.”
He held her so close that she could not breathe.
“My darling, my precious wonderful wife, you must not say such things. It is I who must worship you, because you are perfect.”
She put up her arms in an impulsive gesture and pulled his head down to hers, her lips seeking his with her body pressed against him.
Then the fire within them burst into flames and, rising higher and higher, burning wildly and passionately with the violence of love, carried them up towards the peaks of ecstasy.
*
It was early in the morning and the sun was not over-hot as Rex lifted Quenella onto the saddle of the horse waiting outside the front door.
Captain Anderson saw them off.
“The servants are to bring out the luncheon on pack horses and lay it under the trees above the Naini Cascade,” Rex ordered. “They are to be there at noon, then move out of sight and collect what is left two hours later.”
Quenella made a little sound of delight, but she did not interrupt.
“I will see that it is done,” Captain Anderson replied.
“And make it quite clear that there will be no official engagements for two weeks,” Rex went on. “You can deal with anything that is urgent.”
The aide-de-camp hesitated for a moment and then he asked,
“If I am doubtful about anything in particular, may I discuss it with Your Excellency this evening?”
“No,” Rex said to him firmly. “We will dine in Her Excellency’s sitting room with only Azim to wait on us. As far as the household is concerned, we are not in residence. There are no exceptions to the rule.”
“Very good, Your Excellency.”
Then Captain Anderson smiled and added,
“Good luck, my Lord, and may I offer my somewhat belated but very sincere congratulations.”
“Thank you, Anderson.”
Rex turned to mount his horse. As he did so, one of the gardeners came towards the house.
He carried on one arm a huge basket of freshly cut roses and in his other hand there was a bunch of tiger lilies.
“Give me those,” Rex ordered, taking them from him.
He swung himself onto his horse and fixed the lilies to the front of his saddle.
Then he and Quenella rode away, Captain Anderson and the two sentries outside the front door saluting as they went.
Only when they reached the orchid-lined paths that led through the Park did Quenella ask curiously,
“Why did you want the tiger lilies?”
“Because they are the flower I have always identified with you,” Rex answered. “To me they symbolise purity and at the same time the wildness of the tiger.”
She understood what he was trying to say and she blushed.
“But what are you – going to do with – them?” she enquired after a moment
Rex looked up at the snow-capped mountains that were discernible through the blossom-covered branches of the trees and then at Quenella.
“I intend to lay them on the first Shrine we find dedicated to the God of Love!”
Their eyes met.
“I prayed that Lord Krishna would give me love,” Quenella said softly. “How can I ever thank Him?”
“We have, my darling, all Eternity in which to do so,” Rex answered.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebook
s all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
The Peril and the Prince
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
From Hate to Love
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
In Love In Lucca
The Karma Of Love
Magic For The Heart
Paradise Found
Only Love
A Duel with Destiny
The Heart of the Clan
The Ruthless Rake
Revenge is Sweet
Fire on the Snow
A Revolution of Love
Love at the Helm
Listen to Love
Love Casts out Fear
The Devilish Deception
Riding in the Sky
The Wonderful Dream
This Time it’s Love
The River of Love
A Gentleman in Love
The Island of Love
Miracle for a Madonna
The Storms of Love
The Prince and the Pekingese
The Golden Cage
Theresa and a Tiger
The Goddess of Love
Alone in Paris
The Earl Rings a Belle
The Runaway Heart
From Hell to Heaven
Love in the Ruins
Crowned with Love
Love is a Maze
Hidden by Love
Love is the Key
A Miracle in Music
The Race for Love
Call of the Heart
The Curse of the Clan
Saved by Love
The Tears of Love
Winged Magic
Born of Love
Love Holds the Cards
A Chieftain Finds Love
The Horizons of Love
The Marquis Wins
A Duke in Danger
Warned by a Ghost
Forced to Marry
Sweet Adventure
Love is a Gamble
Love on the Wind
Looking for Love
Love is the Enemy
The Passion and the Flower
The Reluctant Bride
Safe in Paradise
The Temple of Love
Love at First Sight
The Scots Never Forget
The Golden Gondola
No Time for Love
Love in the Moon
A Hazard of Hearts
Just Fate
The Kiss of Paris
Little Tongues of Fire
Love Under Fire
The Magnificent Marriage
Moon over Eden
The Dream and the Glory
A Victory for Love
A Princess in Distress
A Gamble with Hearts
Love Strikes a Devil
In the Arms of Love
Love in the Dark
Love Wins
The Marquis who Hated Women
Love is Invincible
Love Climbs in
The Queen Saves the King
The Duke Comes Home
Love Joins the Clans
The Power and the Prince
Winged Victory
Light of the Gods
The Golden Illusion
Never Lose Love
The Sleeping Princess
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outsta
nding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
Flowers for the God of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2019
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953
eBook conversion by M-Y Books