Read Rivals for Love for Free Online Page A

about the end of that war?” asked the Duke sharply.
    â€œI heard Uncle Edward telling Aunt Violet he had just heard the news at the Foreign Office yesterday. I expect if he has been told the war is over, it really is.”
    The Duke reflected that it was extremely tiresome that this girl should be listening at doors and keyholes. She knew secrets known only to those actively involved in affairs of State.
    However, before he could say anything Elva went on,
    â€œIf you collect me either late at night or early in the morning, no one will see us go on board your yacht. You will tell Aunt Violet that you are picking up your aged friend at Tilbury.”
    The Duke did not speak and Elva smiled before she added,
    â€œLater if there is any enquiry and there is no reason why there should be, we merely say she did not turn up and as it was too late then to alter our plans, we simply went ahead.”
    The Duke was just about to complain that Elva was talking nonsense and say that he would never dream of becoming involved in any such foolish venture.
    Then it struck him that she might have a point.
    After all she was his cousin and he could therefore trust her. It would be madness to take anyone else who sooner or later would be bound to talk.
    Any scandal would surely do him immeasurable harm and in addition it could damage diplomatic relations between England and Russia.
    As if she knew what he was thinking, Elva blurted out,
    â€œYou do see that, whilst you can trust me, you would be extremely foolish to trust anyone else.”
    â€œHow do I know I can trust you ?”
    â€œFirst of all I am your relation, and I can assure you that I don’t want any scandal in our family any more than you do. And there would be a scandal if it became known that you had taken even a pretend wife with you to Russia.”
    â€œThat is why I cannot do it, Elva.”
    â€œIn which case you cannot go as I am convinced that Aunt Violet has told you the truth. I have read about Russia and heard about the Empress’s behaviour and nothing would surprise me.”
    The Duke could not help admitting to himself that she was making sense, but all the same he longed to tell her it was all nonsense.
    He strode across the room and back again.
    Then Elva said,
    â€œOf course we could go to Russia without telling Aunt Violet. But if I did suddenly disappear overnight, there would be a hue and cry. If you think it out, there is no reason why you, as a kindly and much older relation, should not take me on a trip.”
    She paused for a moment, but the Duke still did not speak, so she continued,
    â€œIt is a trip which most young women would enjoy, because as well as the beautiful Palaces to visit there are doubtless, in Russian Society, as many balls and parties as there are in London.”
    The Duke remained sullen and she exclaimed,
    â€œOh, come on, Cousin Varin, make up your mind one way or the other! I promise I will behave extremely well and do exactly what you tell me to do. It is really a case, as you well know, of me or no one .”
    As if he could not help himself the Duke chuckled.
    â€œYou are incorrigible and I believe that Cousin Violet will forbid me to do anything so outrageous as to carry you off to Russia.”
    â€œVery well then, if she does, you will just have to find someone else or make up your mind to enjoy being with the Empress and having to comply with whatever she suggests.”
    Despite himself the Duke felt himself shudder.
    He was exceedingly fastidious about himself and he always made every woman he made love to feel that she was most fortunate in being able to capture his attention if only for a short time.
    He was not aware of it, but behind his back even his friends laughed at how quickly his love affairs came and went. Some of them coming to an end even before the gossips realised that they had even begun.
    The Duke often thought he was probably very foolish, but the slightest thing