Ruled by Love

BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com

Copyright © 2009 by Cartland Promotions

First published on the internet in April 2009 by Barbaracartland.com

The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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Another
aide-de-camp
, even older than the one who originally escorted them into the Palace, announced,

“His Royal Highness is ready to receive his guests.”

Zoleka walked towards the door.

They had to cross a passage and into another room where Prince Majmir was waiting.

She was not sure what to expect, but as the door opened she was surprised to see a rather decrepit man in the centre of the room waiting to receive them.

His evening clothes did not seem to fit him and his hair, which was slightly grey, was unkempt.

Even before she reached him, Zoleka's instinct told her there was something very wrong.

However, she swept dutifully to the floor into a low curtsy and Prince Majmir bowed to her in return.

“Welcome to Krnov. I very much hope Your Royal Highness will enjoy being here with us.”

“I am certain I shall. It is exceedingly gracious of Your Royal Highness to invite me to your Palace and I am delighted to be your guest.”

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Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists.  With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA.  In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery.  Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.

In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.

Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime.  Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values.  But above all, it was Barbara Cartland's overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.

“‘I love you' are the easiest words to say in any language, but in reality they are the hardest words to really mean from the heart.”

Barbara Cartland

Princess Zoleka of Opava dismounted, thanked her groom for his attendance and walked into the Palace.

An
aide-de-camp
came towards her and she asked,

“Where is His Royal Highness?”

“In the library, Your Royal Highness,” he replied.

She ran speedily through the corridors of the vast Royal Palace to the library, where she knew that her father would be concentrating on the book he was writing.

It was a History of Silesia, which would undoubtedly take him a long time.

When she opened the door, he looked up and smiled.

“You are back, Zoleka, I see.”

“I am back, Papa, and the new stallion is splendid. He gallops very much faster than all the others, so you and I must have a race one day!”

Prince Lászlé smiled at his beautiful daughter.

“I will try and manage it tomorrow, if I am not too busy.”

He rose from the writing desk as he spoke and walked across the room.

“I want to talk to you, Zoleka.”

The tone of his voice was so serious she looked at him in surprise.

As always she was struck with pride. He was a very handsome man and although his hair was now touched with grey, he still had an active and athletic body.

His daughter recognised that his healthy physique owed much to the fact that he was a magnificent rider, spending hours in the saddle or schooling his ponies outside in their magnificent paddocks.

Prince Lászlé stood in front of the fireplace which, as it was high summer, was filled with fragrant flowers, while Zoleka sat down on the sofa and waited.

She knew only too well that when her father took up this particular position, he had something serious to say.

When he did not speak, she asked encouragingly,

“What is it, Papa?”

“It is something I am afraid you will not like, but it is something you may have to do.”

“
Have to do?
” echoed Zoleka, wondering what it could possibly be.

“There arrived this morning,” her father continued, “a messenger from the Prime Minister of Krnov.”

“From Krnov!” exclaimed Zoleka. “Whatever did he want?”

“He wants you to travel to Krnov to take up the position of Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Udele.”

“Lady-in-Waiting! I hope you said ‘no',” she exclaimed, outraged.

“As a matter of fact, I asked for time to discuss it with you, because I don't really think that ‘no' is the right answer at this particular time.”

“But, Papa, of course I don't want to go away from you and live in Krnov. Why should I? And I believe you would miss me,” she added knowing that this would appeal to his fatherly nature.

“Of course I would miss you,” her father answered. “My instinct was the same as yours, to say ‘no' at once.”

“Why did you not do so, Papa?”

“When I talked to the envoy who had been sent by the Prime Minister, I realised that the situation in Krnov is rather more serious than I had previously thought.”

“What situation and what is serious?”

“You should know as well as I do, my dear Zoleka, that Opava, Krnov and Cieszyn are all that is left of what was once a free Silesia.”

Zoleka was well aware of this situation.

She had been told often how under the Treaty of Berlin in 1742, Queen Maria Theresa of Austria had been forced to cede Upper and Lower Silesia to King Frederick II of Prussia.

The only exceptions to the Treaty were the three small Principalities of Krnov, Opava and Cieszyn.

In the Seven Years War, which began fourteen years later and lasted until 1763, the Austrians had attempted to recover Silesia to no avail.

At one time Silesia had comprised of sixteen Principalities running their own lives, each under its own Ruler.

In the usual domineering manner of the Prussians, Frederick II had coerced most of them into becoming part of his Kingdom.

The real reason why the Prussians were so keen to have and keep Upper Silesia was the rising importance of coal and other vital minerals.

Upper Silesia itself was destined to become one of the most significant industrial districts in all of Europe with its vast production of coal, lead, zinc and iron, all of which were mined and utilised in factories on the spot.