Rivals for Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

unbecoming.
    Yet her desire for attractive, robust young men was just as strong as it had been twenty years earlier.
    Knowing the Duke was waiting for her to continue, Lady Violet said,
    â€œAll the Empress’s lovers have been, as I told you, chosen by Potemkin. But there is at the moment one who has been waiting eagerly to take over the place of the last Adjutant General in the Empress’s suite.”
    â€œWhat is the name of this man?”
    â€œPlaton Zubov,” replied Lady Violet. “He is dark, handsome, extremely ambitious and a twenty-two year old Horse Guards Officer.”
    She paused for a moment.
    â€œWe met him and Edward thought that, although he boasts the figure of youth, he also possesses the hard guile of a Courtier.”
    â€œWhat does that all add up to?”
    â€œWhen we departed from St. Petersburg everyone was wondering what Potemkin would think about Platon Zubov’s formidable success. An indiscreet Court Lady-in-Waiting told another, who in turn told to me, that in a letter to Potemkin the Empress wrote,
    â€œWhen I first met Zubov I returned to life like a fly which had been frozen by the cold.”
    â€œWell that lets me off,” crowed the Duke, “I shall certainly be quite safe.”
    â€œI doubt it,” cautioned Lady Violet. “Because I am quite certain that Potemkin will get rid of the Adjutant General. He has not chosen him and he is likely to be jealous, quite apart from the fact that one lover has never prevented the Empress from taking on others.”
    The Duke made a gesture with his hands.
    â€œThen what on earth can I do? I can hardly tell the Prime Minister I am frightened of going to Russia because I might have to make love to the Empress. Which, I can assure you, is definitely something I have no wish to do. Do you really think if I refuse her it might cause a diplomatic incident? I cannot believe it.”
    He spoke scornfully and Lady Violet responded,
    â€œI know the Russians. They are all very emotional, easily hurt or insulted and extremely vindictive.”
    â€œThen what can I do?” asked the Duke.
    â€œThe obvious answer is for you to wait until you are married,” laughed Lady Violet. “Even an Empress cannot separate a husband and wife unless, as you well know, they actually wish to be separated.”
    â€œAre you really suggesting,” said the Duke slowly, “that I find someone to come with me to St. Petersburg as my wife ? But who will actually be a Nanny to prevent me from getting into trouble?”
    â€œThat is certainly an idea. And if you did arrive as the Duke and Duchess of Sparkbrook, no one would query it.”
    â€œThen you must find me someone suitable to take with me, dear Violet, as I cannot imagine anyone of my acquaintance who could play the part without talking about it, and without, if I was not careful, taking me up the aisle immediately we return home, because I had ruined her reputation!”
    â€œI am sure that is all true. Oh, poor Varin, I am so sorry for you, but I am afraid you will just have to tell the Prime Minister he must find someone else to do his spying for him.”
    Before the Duke could reply the door opened and the butler entered.
    â€œExcuse me, my Lady, but Lady Maekin is here. Her Ladyship says you promised you would donate some objects to be auctioned at the Charity Ball she is hosting this evening.”
    Lady Violet put her hands to her forehead.
    â€œOf course I did and I had forgotten all about it. I am sure we can find something we don’t particularly like, but which would fetch a good price.”
    She rose from her chair.
    â€œForgive me, Varin. I will not be a moment longer than I can help, but Lady Maekin is an old dear friend.”
    â€œThere is no hurry,” the Duke assured her. “I will read the newspapers I see on the table. I did not have time to read them before I left this morning.”
    â€œI will just be