Rivals for Love Read Online Free Page B

Russia.”
    â€œTo Russia!” the Duke exclaimed. “Why Russia particularly?”
    The Prime Minister bent forward over the table.
    â€œI am very worried about what is happening there and the reports I receive from St. Petersburg do not tell me everything I need to know.”
    â€œI am surprised to hear this, William, as after all you have our Ambassador in residence in the City.”
    The Prime Minister nodded.
    â€œI often think that our Ambassadors tend to take the point of view of the country where they are posted rather than their own.”
    The Duke smiled.
    â€œAs I expect you know, Varin, Russia has been fighting two wars. In the North against the Swedes, whilst in the South they are still advancing in a manner that I find rather worrying.”
    â€œAre you telling me,” enquired the Duke, “that the war against Sweden is at an end?”
    The Prime Minster nodded his head.
    â€œI have learnt that under heavy pressure from the Swedish aristocracy, many of them bribed by the Empress Catherine’s agents, King Gustavus III himself is recalling his forces.”
    â€œI am quite astonished,” commented the Duke. “I thought he was determined to stand up to the Russians’ greed in grabbing everything they could lay their hands on.”
    â€œHe was indeed,” the Prime Minister informed him briefly. “But the war has tailed off and ended with no gains for Sweden.”
    â€œYou do astonish me, that must have been extremely expensive in money and in blood.”
    â€œYou are indeed quite right, Varin, a great number of Russians and Swedes have been killed.”
    â€œSo now the Russian Empress can concentrate on the South – ” added the Duke.
    â€œExactly right,” the Prime Minister admitted. “The Russian Army has stormed a number of Turkish fortresses on the Black Sea. They have also taken the key fortress of Izmail on the Danube and now we are worried as to how far Potemkin is determined to go.”
    The Duke glanced at him sharply.
    â€œWhat do you really fear?” he asked.
    â€œI think you know the answer to that question, my friend.”
    The Duke drew in his breath.
    â€œAre you thinking of Constantinople?” he asked quietly. “And then perhaps India? It cannot be possible!”
    â€œNothing is really impossible,” replied the Prime Minister. “But if we are alert, if we know what is in their minds, we can be prepared. That is just what I want you to find out.”
    â€œWell then do show me whatever information you have already,” said the Duke. “I make no promises. At the same time I would rather like to visit St. Petersburg as I have never been there”
    â€œThat is where I want you to go. Unfortunately what we know at present about Potemkin’s ambitions does not amount to much as nothing is written down in black and white.”
    â€œYou can be quite certain of that,” remarked the Duke cynically.
    *
    Having enjoyed a delicious dinner with her uncle and aunt, Elva slept peacefully.
    At daybreak breakfast was brought to her in her room and she knew it was because her Uncle Edward liked to have his wife to himself first thing in the morning.
    When she walked downstairs, she was told by the butler that her Ladyship was at present in the study, but was expecting a visitor at any moment.
    Elva remembered what her Aunt Violet had told her yesterday. The Duke of Sparkbrook was calling on her early this morning.
    Elva had not seen him for a very long time and wondered what he was like now. All her relations spoke affectionately and admiringly of him but that, she thought rather scornfully, must be expected.
    Dukes were always given much more praise and attention than ordinary mortals, so she thought she would find herself something to read and walked into the room next to the study.
    It had been converted into a small library with all four walls covered in books.
    Elva observed