A King In Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782132356
Publisher: Barbara Cartland EBooks ltd
Published: 2013-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

There was a tense pause before the King asked,

“Is that what the people of Aldross are expecting?”

“Of course they are,” Zita replied.

“Why?”

“You know the answer to that. I cannot believe that you, of all people, are not aware of Bismarck’s ambitions and the greed of Prussia.”

The King raised his eyebrows.

She realised that he was extremely surprised that she should be aware of the political aspect of his visit.

He hesitated as if he would be evasive in his reply.

Then he said,

“Actually I have decided that tonight, when I meet your Prime Minister and Statesmen, I will put forward a proposition for a closer commercial relationship between our two countries, which would also involve defence.”

Zita gave a little exclamation of pleasure and the King went on,

“I cannot think why it should not be extended to other Monarchies and Principalities as well in this part of Europe.”

Now she gave a cry that seemed to ring out round the small arbour.

“You mean we should have a Federation too? How clever of you! Why did – nobody else think of that?”

As she spoke, she thought that her father and the Prime Minister had been extremely obtuse in not putting such an idea into operation before now.

“It certainly seems to be reasonable, as we have so much in common,” the King said quietly.

Zita’s eyes were shining as she said again,

“It is very – very – clever of you to have thought of it! I am sure that those who have been worrying about the grandiose ambitions of Prussia will be very grateful.”

The King leant back in his chair as if to look at her more easily in another perspective.

“How can you possibly know so much or be so interested in such issues?” he asked.

Zita laughed.

“Now you are being rude! What you are really saying is that a woman should confine her interests to her home, her husband and her children.”

“As you don’t possess the last two,” the King said, “I should have thought you might be completely preoccupied by your dancing and of course your face.”

“I still have a brain in my head.”

“I am aware of that and I am therefore glad that you approve of my plan.”

“I not only approve of it, but I know that the Grand Duke and those who rule over my country will be delighted.”

As she spoke, it struck Zita that if this was the King’s way of avoiding an obligation to marry Sophie, her mother would be extremely disappointed.

What she was thinking must have shown in her eyes, because the King enquired quietly,

“I think you have found a snag. What is it?”

Quickly, because she was afraid of the way he could read her thoughts, Zita answered him,

“I was thinking that in our Federation – and you must find another name for it since I could not bear to copy the Prussians – you must not include or go too near Bulgaria.”

“Why do you say that?” the King asked sharply.

“Because a revolution is being planned to liberate the country!”

The King stared at Zita as if he found her answer incredible.

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