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longer naturally and I am certain that Valona, if no one else, would like to have a look at Gibraltar, Marseilles, Naples and Athens.”
    â€œI would love it,” cried Valona, before anyone else could speak.  “All my life I have longed to visit all those places.  Do you think we could possibly stop, if only for a few minutes, in Venice?”
    â€œI have to admit I had missed that one out,” the Marquis laughed, “but it will certainly have to be included!”
    He put out his hand towards Lady Rose.
    â€œTell me I have been clever.”
    â€œVery clever,” she replied in a soft voice.
    They were looking deeply into each other’s eyes.
    And it suddenly struck Valona as extraordinary, but it seemed that they might be in love with each other.
    â€˜I must be imagining it,’ she scolded herself.
    At the same time, although she knew nothing about love, she was almost sure that it was what those two people were feeling.
    Now they were all on board and the ship’s engines were turning.
    H.M.S. Victorious was starting to move slowly and sedately up the centre of the River Thames.
    â€œI think that we should go on deck now,” the Duke suggested to Valona.  “You will have a very good view of the Houses of Parliament before we move down the river.”
    She followed him eagerly.
    Out on deck he pointed out the important sights as they passed them.
    Next she realised that Lady Rose and the Marquis had not come with them.
    She sighed, as it was thrilling to be on a battleship and to be seeing London from an entirely new and different angle.
    She thought it was such a pity that Lady Rose was missing it.
    However, she was very content to be with the Duke who she found knew a great deal about history.
    He told her about the building of London and how it had changed down the centuries.
    â€œI do wish Mama could see what you are showing me now!” exclaimed Valona.
    â€œI tell you what we will do.  When we come back from Larissa, perhaps in six months or even a year’s time, we will take your mother in my yacht down the Thames as we are proceeding now.”
    Valona clasped her hands together.
    â€œWhat a wonderful idea!  You are so kind to us and Mama would enjoy it all so much.”
    â€œYou are not to worry about her.  I am sure she will be quite happy staying with my mother and the gardens are looking at their best at this time of the year.”
    â€œI know that you must have asked your mother to invite Mama to Combe House, Cousin Arthur, and I am so very grateful to you.  Otherwise I would have been worried that she would be lonely without me.”
    â€œI had thought about it, Valona, and I am only so ashamed as one of the family that we have neglected your dear mother for so long.  It slipped my mind that we were related and now you must help me make up for it.”
    â€œI am only too willing to do whatever you want and please say that you like my dress and hat, all of which you paid for.”
    The Duke chuckled.
    â€œI can see that like all women you would like to be flattered.  Actually I am not flattering you, but telling you the truth when I say that you are exactly the right person to impress the Russians that the British are all powerful!”
    Valona smiled.
    â€œI don’t think I am capable of that, but at least no one will patronise me because I look threadbare!”
    â€œIt is something which will never occur again,” the Duke promised.  “I have already apologised that you have been neglected.”
    â€œWe have been extremely happy at Hampton Court.  There are such kind people living there and they all came yesterday afternoon to wish me goodbye and said such nice things about me to my Mama that I was almost sorry to be leaving.”
    â€œAnd what do you feel about it now?”
    â€œThis is the most fantastic thing I have ever done,” answered Valona, “even in my