The King Without a Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

underway and she went out on deck that the Equerry came and spoke to her.
    â€œAre you looking forward to the voyage, Miss Brooke?”
    â€œI love being at sea,” she replied, “and I am thankful to say I am never seasick.”
    â€œIf that is true, then this will certainly be an unusual voyage. I have never passed through the Bay of Biscay without every woman on board locking herself in her cabin.”
    Titania laughed.
    â€œI can assure you I will not do that.”
    He was speaking quite good English and as he seemed friendly, Titania asked him,
    â€œI wonder if you would do me a great favour.”
    â€œOf course I will do anything I can.”
    â€œI want to learn the language of your country,” Titania told him, “and I do not think it will be difficult because I already speak Greek and a little of some of the other Balkan languages.”
    The Equerry looked at her in surprise. “I have been told to teach a little of our language to Lady Sophie if possible, but I had no idea there would be anyone aboard who could speak Greek.”
    â€œAs I have never heard anyone speak Velidosian, please say something to me in your language.”
    The Equerry gabbled off several sentences. Titania said that she recognised several words amongst them.
    â€œNow what did you say?” she asked.
    â€œI said, ‘you are so very pretty, Miss Brooke, and that you might have just arrived from Olympus and undoubtedly the Gods you have left behind will miss you’.”
    Titania laughed.
    â€œNo wonder I found it difficult to guess what you were saying. Thank you for the compliment, but as unfortunately we are not going to Olympus, I want to learn as much Velidosian as I can.”
    â€œVery well,” the Equerry replied. “Shall we set a time for your lessons?”
    â€œOf course, and I suggest, if it suits you, eleven o’clock in the morning however rough the sea may be.”
    She knew as she spoke that the Equerry was quite certain she would not turn up while they were crossing the Bay of Biscay and she was also hoping that Sophie would not require her at that time.
    When she entered Sophie’s cabin to see if she had everything she wanted, her cousin asked sharply,
    â€œWhere have you been, Titania, and why are you not looking after me?”
    â€œI am sorry. I was watching the ship move out of dock.”
    â€œWell, as Mama insists on Martha unpacking her trunks first, you can start on mine until Martha is free.”
    Titania, without making any comment, began to unpack Sophie’s dressing case. She did, however, think to herself that her cousin might have said ‘please’.
    She never said ‘thank you’ for anything that was done for her.
    â€œIf there is one thing I hate,” Sophie was saying, “it is being at sea. I know I am going to be seasick and the sooner I can lie down the better.”
    Although Titania said it was likely that the English Channel would be calm, Sophie insisted on getting into bed.
    â€œI intend to stay here,” she announced arrogantly, “until we arrive and it is no use arguing with me. What is more I have no wish to talk to those ugly old women who have been sent to accompany me.”
    â€œThey are your Ladies-in-Waiting,” cautioned Titania, “and they will take umbrage if you refuse to speak to them.”
    â€œLet them. Once I am married to Frederick, they will have to do as I tell them. After all as Crown Prince he is very, very important in Velidos.”
    â€œWhat about the King?” asked Titania.
    She thought as she put the question there had been very little said about him. She knew, of course, that his name was Alexius and he was the elder brother of Prince Frederick who was marrying Sophie.
    But neither her uncle nor her aunt had had anything to say about him, which seemed a little strange.
    Then she told herself that the person who would be able to answer her questions