He realised that she was feeling a little nervous.
He put his hand over hers where it lay on his arm and he felt a little quiver go through her.
‘I will protect her and keep her happy for the rest of her life,’ he vowed, ‘and no one shall ever frighten her again.’
He knew that no other woman of his acquaintance would have been as brave as Odela had been when they had been at the mercy of Fred Cotter.
No other woman would have been brave enough to run away from her stepmother.
Or be clever enough to go to her old Nanny for protection.
‘She is unique,’ he told himself.
When they knelt to receive the Blessing, the Marquis prayed that he would be worthy of her.
‘She must never be disappointed in me,’ he pledged.
*
The Marquis and Marchioness of Trancombe drove away from Shalford Hall and their Chaise was drawn by four perfectly matched horses.
The Marquis managed his horses, Odela knew, with an expertise that was brilliant.
But for the moment all she could see was the astonishment and frustration on her stepmother’s face!
She also did not miss the satisfaction on her father’s.
She put out her hand and laid it on the Marquis’s knee.
“Have we really escaped?” she asked him in a whisper.
“We have,” the Marquis said triumphantly.
He too had realised that the announcement that they were married had been a blow to the Countess that she had not expected.
She had gone pale with anger.
They had all three been waiting for the Marquis and Odela to arrive.
It was the Earl who had come forward to say,
“Thank you, my Lord, for bringing my daughter back. I have been very worried about her.”
He had shaken the Marquis by the hand and Odela had kissed her father saying,
“I was quite safe, Papa, with Nanny.”
“I know that now, my dearest,” her father replied, “but your stepmother was extremely upset when you disappeared.”
“That is something I will never do again,” Odela promised the Marquis.
“That is true,” he said before anybody else could speak, “and I feel sure that you will congratulate me when you know that Odela is now my wife and we are both very happy!”
There had been a sudden silence.
Then before the Earl could say that he was delighted, which he actually was, the Countess had exclaimed, her voice a scream,
“It’s not true! I don’t believe it!”
“It is quite true,” the Marquis replied, “and, as I realised last night that I could not lose Odela not for a day, not even for an hour, we were married this morning.”
“It’s illegal!” the Countess snapped.
“I think you will find difficulty in proving that allegation,” the Marquis said quietly.
It was then that the Earl recovered his breath.
“If my daughter is happy that is all that matters,” he smiled, “and, of course, I am delighted to have a son-in-law who lives next door.”
“I am very very happy, Papa,” Odela smiled.
The Marquis did not allow anybody else to say very much more.
He explained that they were in a hurry to go to one of his houses, which was some distance away and he knew that they would understand if they left immediately.
The Viscount had said nothing and Odela did not address a word to him.
She could not help feeling that he was somewhat relieved that he did not have to be married.
Even though he might miss her money.
*
It was only now when she was alone with the Marquis that Odela remembered that she had not told him how rich she was.
Then she told herself that it was unimportant.
She was quite certain that he would find many ways for her to spend her money on things that really mattered.
Schools, hospitals and help for those who were genuinely in need.
‘He is so rich himself that it will not make any difference to him one way or the other,’ she thought, ‘so why should we waste time in talking about it?’
She moved a little closer to him.
“I love you!” she sighed.
The Marquis smiled.
“And I adore you, my beautiful one, and tonight when we are in the house where we are starting our honeymoon, I will tell you exactly how much.”
“Tell – me now,” Odela pleaded with him.
“I love you! I adore you! I worship you!”
Her eyes were radiant as he spoke.
She felt that the horses’ hoofs, as they travelled on, were saying the words over and over again.
That was all she wanted and she knew that it would be the foundation of their lives from now on.
The Marquis glanced at her grey eyes looking at him adoringly.
“We have rid ourselves of the second dragon,” he said, “and now, my Sleeping Princess, all I have to do is to awaken you not with a kiss but with love.”
“That is – what I – want,” Odela answered. “Oh, my darling, darling husband, you are so – wonderful and I find it very – hard to – believe that I am really your – wife.”
“If you say things like that,” the Marquis answered, “I shall kiss you and then we shall have an accident.”
Odela gave a little laugh. ,
“No one could drive as well as you.”
“That is what I want you to think,” he said, “just as I want you to believe that I am wonderful and to keep telling me so. But not when my hands are otherwise engaged!”
Odela laughed again.
Then in a whisper that he could hardly hear she murmured,
“I love – you – I love – you!”
He felt as if they were driving into the heat of the sun.
They were no longer human but one with the Gods.
This was life, this was love.
This was the adventure that Odela had always dreamt of having in her life and she was no longer afraid.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks 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 an
d 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
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 outstanding 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.
The Sleeping Princess
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2019
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953
eBook conversion by M-Y B
ooks
Chapter One
1924
The Duke of Buckminster was sitting in the Saloon of his yacht reading an English newspaper that was nearly a week old.
Sir Harold Nuneaton walked in and looked at him in surprise.
“I thought you were on deck, Buck,” he said, “enjoying the beauties of the spires and domes of Constantinople.”
“I saw them before the war, Harry,” the Duke replied, “and I can’t believe that they have altered that much.”
Harry Nuneaton laughed.
“They will be the only thing in Turkey that has not changed,” he said. “I hear that Mustafa Kemal has turned the whole place upside down, especially with his insistence on liberating women from the traditional shackles of Islam.”
“That will certainly be revolutionary.”
The Duke spoke in a somewhat uninterested voice and Harry Nuneaton crossed the Saloon to sit down beside him in one of the deep comfortable armchairs that could only have been chosen by a man who appreciated luxury.
“What’s the matter, Buck?” he asked. “I thought you have seemed a bit off-colour these last few days.”
The Duke did not answer for a moment.
Then he threw the copy of The Times he was reading on the floor.
“It’s nothing serious,” he replied. “It’s just that I am finding life rather dull after all the excitement of the war.”
Harry Nuneaton was not surprised.
If anyone had had a glamorous and exciting war it was the Duke.
In charge of an Armoured Car Unit attached to the Royal Naval Air Service, the Duke had been sent to the Western Desert to assist the British Imperial Troops.
His armour-plated Rolls Royces had taken part in the strangest and most adventurous battles of the war.
They had rescued prisoners who were being starved and ill-treated by one of the enemy Sheiks and they had reinforced small groups who had been detached from the main Armies.
In fact they had performed such valiant service that Whitehall became deeply interested in what had originally been an experiment that many Generals had been extremely sceptical about.
In fact they had discovered through the Duke’s brilliant leadership that the years he and his Officers had spent in risking death in motor cars, motor boats and aeroplanes could in an emergency pay amazing dividends in their support of the more traditional methods of warfare.
“If anyone deserved a decoration for gallantry,” a General commanding the Desert Forces had said to Harry Nuneaton after the war, “it is Buckminster. He would never give up – it’s not a phrase that exists in his personal vocabulary.”
That Harry Nuneaton knew was true. At the same time he realised that while the war had given the Duke an incentive that had been lacking in his luxurious life before it began, now it was ended he was rather like a ship without a rudder.