Blood Royal Read Online Free PDF

swallow the rest of our gruel. I’m going to drive and you’re going to sit with me, and if the Duke don’t like the back seat he can damned well sit on the floor.”
    At the hour appointed we were back in the old courtyard.
    A manservant saw our coming and disappeared, but, as though to prove our patience, nobody came to the door; and after waiting ten minutes I bade Rowley ring the bell.
    After another five minutes the manservant reappeared and descended the steps. I saw that the man was English.
    “Her Highness hopes, sir,” he said, “that you will come in.”
    “Beg her Highness to excuse us,” I said. “And tell his Highness Duke Paul that, if he has no objection, we are anxious to start at once.”
    “Very good, sir,” said the man, and withdrew.
    For a moment or two we sat waiting. Then the Grand Duchess appeared at the head of the steps.
    “So I must come myself,” she said quietly.
    Hanbury and I uncovered, but sat where we were.
    “I’m sorry I spoke so rudely and I should like to be friends.”
    I opened my door and alighted, and Hanbury followed me out.
    “The fault was mine,” I stammered, with my eyes on the ground.
    As though I had not spoken she turned to George.
    “I saw you looking at the bay. If you’re interested in horses, I can show you a better than he.”
    “We’d love to see him,” said Hanbury.
    She led the way over the cobbles and under another arch…
    She never addressed me once, but when we had seen her three hunters she led us into the house by another way. I hardly looked at her, except when her back was turned, but she had changed her clothes for a dress of an old rose colour which suited her very well.
    As we came into a hall, a woman of many summers rose from a table at which she was writing a note, and the Duke cried ‘Hullo’ from the sofa on which he sprawled.
    The Grand Duchess introduced us, and I was astonished to find that the Duke, who must have informed her, had so well remembered our names.
    “My great-aunt, Mrs Scarlett,” she said. And then, “My mother was English. That’s why I speak so well.”
    “We needn’t start yet,” said the Duke. “Sit down and have a brandy. I’ve tasted worse.”
    Before we could make any answer, a telephone-bell was ringing somewhere at hand,
    The Grand Duchess flashed to a corner, and I heard her reply.
    “Yes…this is Anger. Yes, Marya, this is me… He’s here, he’s here, Marya. He’s just going to start for Vigil: he ought to be there by six… He’ll tell you himself: I can’t tell you over the line, but… What?… I can’t quite hear, Marya. ‘Tell him…’” She took the second earpiece and listened with all her might. “Yes, I’ve got that. I will. And… Very well. At eight o’clock this evening, if you’ve no news before. Goodbye, Marya.”
    She put the receiver back and turned to the Duke.
    “The Prince is worse,” she said. “The doctors won’t say he’s sinking, but he’s awfully bad. Marya says you must come as quick as ever you can. Her words were ‘Tell him it’s vital – you can guess what I mean.’”
    The Duke was biting his nails.
    “It’s all damned fine,” he said. “These sort of shows can’t be rushed. What on earth did you say I was here for?”
    The Grand Duchess stared at him.
    “Why shouldn’t I say so? What do you propose to do?”
    “Go carefully,” said the Duke. “I’m not at all sure that it’s wise to go bursting back.”
    “I suppose by ‘wise’ you mean ‘safe’?”
    Mrs Scarlett covered her eyes, but the Duke’s withers were unwrung.
    “It’s all Weber’s fault,” he cried, “for withdrawing those blasted police. They police me in Paris and London. Why the devil don’t they police me at home?” He got to his feet. “I’ll ring him up and tell him to send some along.”
    The Grand Duchess appeared to hesitate. Then she went to his side.
    “Paul,” she said, “listen to me. It’s vital that you should get back and state your