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could put him off.
    He had ceased to be enamoured of one outstanding beauty just because she constantly fidgeted with her rings, turning them round and round on her fingers. This habit irritated him and he left her.
    Another used far too much scent and he felt almost asphyxiated by it. Yet another lisped her words which he found annoyed him.
    The mere idea of having to make love to a woman of sixty, whoever she might be, made him shudder again.
    He did not question for a second that his Cousin Violet’s warning was indeed the truth. She would know better than anyone else how vitally important it was for him to do whatever the Prime Minister required of him.
    If he was going anywhere else, he knew quite well that she would encourage him, finding out for him all the information he needed to know.
    No one understood the protocol of the Diplomatic Service better than Violet did. Her husband Edward was an extremely clever man and he would never have reached the top so quickly if it had not been for his intelligent, sympathetic and beautiful wife.
    The Duke was still hesitating when Lady Violet came back into the room.
    â€œI am sorry to have been so long,” she began and then noticed Elva in the room.
    â€œOh, I am so glad you are here, Elva, and that you have met your Cousin Varin again. It must be a long time since you last saw each other.”
    â€œWe have been talking about that,” said the Duke.
    â€œI have also,” Elva joined in, “found a solution to his problem.”
    Lady Violet looked towards her niece in surprise and Elva explained.
    â€œI am sorry, Aunt Violet, but this is something you should know because it might be dangerous. I could hear everything you and Cousin Varin said while I was in the library.”
    Lady Violet gave a little gasp.
    â€œI remember now,” she said, “I meant to have the wall between these two rooms properly blocked up, but I forgot about it while I was away.”
    â€œWell, having overheard you both, I have now told Cousin Varin how he can go to St. Petersburg and avoid becoming involved with the Empress.”
    â€œWhat I said,” protested Lady Violet sharply, “was certainly not for your ears.”
    â€œI know,” admitted Elva, “and you must forgive me for overhearing your conversation. But you know how much I want to get away from London and to travel. This is the miracle I was hoping would happen and it will not only help me, but Cousin Varin as well.”
    Lady Violet looked at the Duke.
    â€œWhat has she suggested?” she asked him suspiciously.
    â€œIt is that she should travel to Russia with me and to protect me from the Empress we will pretend that she is my wife. Of course we should have a chaperone with us, which as it happens I am able to provide.”
    Lady Violet sat down on the sofa.
    â€œYou take my breath away. I know Elva wants to travel, but I never in my wildest dreams thought of her travelling with you !”
    â€œI promise I will look after her,” volunteered the Duke gamely.
    â€œAnd it is not as if we are going away for a very long time,” added Elva. “I want to journey all over the world, but it will be very exciting to visit St. Petersburg first and, although my Russian is not perfect, I could learn a great deal more than I know already before we arrive.”
    â€œYou speak Russian!” quizzed the Duke.
    â€œNot nearly as well as French and German, but I can make myself understood and I can follow most of what anyone is saying to me.”
    â€œThat is certainly an asset,” mused the Duke. “I am afraid my Russian is rather feeble. I have only spent a short time in the Caucasus and that is all.”
    â€œOh, I have read about the Caucasus. It must have been an enthralling trip.”
    â€œIt was, but you would have certainly found it most uncomfortable and at times extremely dangerous.”
    â€œI should have loved every moment of it!”