Love and Apollo Read Online Free PDF

as well as herself, so every afternoon as soon as they returned from shopping, she went over to his house to have lessons in the language of Larissa.
    Every night before she fell asleep she read a little of the two books he had given her written in Larissian.
    One was rather dull as it was a very basic technical description of the country and the minerals in it.
    The other book was a romantic novel which was far easier and she enjoyed the story.
    She found it was so easy to remember the words of love the hero spoke to the heroine.
    She was given several more shooting lessons at the weekend, when it was impossible to go to London because all the shops were closed.
    Sir Mortimer found that, although she had not been practising for several months, she had not forgotten any of his instructions.
    In fact, as he told her, she used her revolver like a professional and he was very proud of his pupil.
    When she hit the bull’s-eye the fifth time out of six, he said that he doubted if he could teach her any more.
    He only hoped that she would not have to use the revolver to defend herself.
    â€œAre you really allowing me to take the revolver?” Valona enquired.  “I am certain that Mama would think it a waste of money for me to buy one and I promise you I will take great care of yours and give it back to you as soon as I come home.”
    â€œI doubt if I shall need to defend myself very often here,” smiled Sir Mortimer.  “But one just never knows in foreign countries, especially when the enemy is Russian .”
    His voice was very serious as he added quietly,
    â€œTrust no one and be careful with whom you make friends.”
    â€œI just cannot believe, Sir Mortimer, that I shall be in any danger, but I do hope they will be very careful with Lady Rose.  If the Russians want to invade or take over a country, they will not want its King to marry and have a family.”
    Sir Mortimer smiled.
    â€œHe has been married already and has a son.”
    Valona looked surprised.
    â€œI believed that the most important reason for his marriage was that there was no one to become King when he dies?”
    â€œI think you will find that the real reason for him getting married is to have the Union Jack flying over Larissa,” Sir Mortimer replied.  “I think it is very brave of Lady Rose, who is very young, to marry a man so that she can save his country for him.”
    â€œHow old is the King?” Valona wanted to know.
    â€œFifty-five, fifty-six, somewhere about there.”
    Valona gave a cry of horror.
    â€œBut Lady Rose is not much older than me!  I think Mama said she is only nearing twenty.”
    â€œRoyal marriages are normally made for a political reason and it is not hard to find a very good reason for the King of Larissa to take an English wife.”
    â€œDo you really think the Russians are trying to take over his country?”
    â€œHis Majesty must be convinced of it or he would not have asked for Queen Victoria’s help in finding him an English wife.”
    Valona told her mother what Sir Mortimer had said and she agreed that it was very hard luck on Lady Rose.
    â€œYou must do your very best to make her happy, my dearest,” she urged Valona.  “I think it is most patriotic of her to agree to anything so difficult, even if Her Majesty has pressured her into doing so.”
    â€œI will try and help her in every way I can not to feel homesick, Mama,” Valona promised.
    The Princess bent and kissed her daughter.
    â€œI am sure you will do so, my dearest, but I don’t want you to stay away too long.”
    â€œI will only stay until Lady Rose is well settled in and takes on a Lady-in-Waiting who will enjoy being with her.  I expect that she is learning to speak Larissian, but she may not be too good at languages.”
    â€œWhich you are, my dear Valona, and is yet another excellent reason why you should go to Larissa with Lady