Rivals for Love

BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com

Copyright © 2008 by Cartland Promotions

First published on the internet in August 2008 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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Elva could see that Prince Ivor was facing towards her as she was watching him and he would therefore move to her right when they set off. The Duke was facing to her left.

The seconds of the two opponents took up their places at different ends of the alley.

“Now, gentlemen, both of you are familiar with the rules,” Prince Alexander was saying. “As I count to ten, you will walk ten paces away from me and turn when I call the number ten. You can fire immediately and when your honour is satisfied, we can all go home.”

The Duke and Prince Ivor were still back to back.

PrinceAlexander began to count.

“
One
–
two
–
three
– ”

The Prince was taking long strides and Elva had to run through the bushes to keep up with him.

She stopped, breathing hard as Prince Alexander called,

“
Seven
–
eight
– ”

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.

 

“When I write my novels I live again the love in my own life. I am always in love with my heroes and I am always the heroine!”

Barbara Cartland

Lady Elva Chartham brought down her pistol and fired at the target, which she had attached to a tree.

Now she walked forward to see where the bullet had gone and noted with satisfaction that she had hit the bull's eye.

She took three more shots, each time being equally successful and then with a smile on her lips she walked back through the garden towards the house.

She had always been determined to shoot as well as her father who was an outstanding shot, but he had said firmly that it was quite unnecessary because she was a girl.

If she had been a boy, it would have been the first skill he insisted upon.

“As I intend to travel all over the world, Papa,” Lady Elva told him, “I think it is essential for me to be able to protect myself.”

Her father had laughed.

“I shall make quite certain, if you do travel, my dearest, that you will have someone responsible to protect you who can cope with pirates, robbers or any other scoundrel you may encounter.”

Her father's words sounded excellent at the time, Elva considered, but she had not yet undertaken a journey abroad. Whenever she had suggested a trip, she had been told firmly that she must finish her education first.

Now her studies were over.

As the Earl of Chartham's only daughter she had been an instant success the moment she had appeared in London.

She received invitations to a large number of balls, receptions, luncheons and other festivities at which girls of her age were invited if they were
debutantes.

However, she had come home without any warning after only three weeks in London.

Her father was away in the North of England and she was well aware that when he returned he would have a great deal to say to her on the subject.

In the meantime she was enjoying herself in the way she wanted.

She rode for many hours every day on the best horses in her father's stables and she was also teaching herself to shoot, since no one else would take the time to instruct her.

She walked into the family home, which was a fine example of Charles II architecture that had been in the Chartham family for several generations.

The butler, Beecham, hurried forward.

“I've just been looking for you in the stables, my Lady,” he said reproachfully. “But your Ladyship weren't there.”

“I was in the garden,” replied Elva, “and you can put this away for me.”

She handed to him the pistol she had been using, which was actually one that her ancestors had used for duelling.

Beecham looked at it in astonishment, but before he could say anything he remembered why he had needed to speak to her Ladyship.

“Lady Violet has arrived, my Lady,” he intoned, “and is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

“Aunt Violet!” exclaimed Elva in surprise. Then as if she knew the reason for her visit, she smiled.

“I will go to her at once, Beecham, I expect you have already asked her Ladyship if she requires anything to eat or drink.”

“Her Ladyship said she'll wait until teatime, my Lady.”

By the time he had finished speaking Elva was hurrying down the passageway and when she reached the drawing room door, she rushed in to find her aunt, Lady Violet Grange, standing at the window. She was looking at the large flock of white pigeons clustering around the fountain.

“This is a lovely surprise, Aunt Violet!”

Her aunt turned round in delight.

Lady Violet had been a great beauty in her time. She had married a penniless young man which had been a disappointment to her relations. Because she had been a huge success in London they had expected her to marry someone of great importance, of course, with a title.

Instead she had fallen head-over-heels in love with Edward Grange the first time they met and he had lost his heart to her completely.

They insisted on being married as soon as possible.

Edward Grange was in the Diplomatic Service and he had taken his wife to many different parts of the world where he had been posted to British Embassies.

It had surprised Lady Violet's relations, but not her, that he rose so quickly to the top of his profession. He was sent to many of the most influential Embassies until eventually he became a British Ambassador and was knighted by the Prince Regent.

Of course, Lady Violet's choice of a husband was then applauded by everyone, whereas in the past it had been assumed that she had just thrown herself away on someone of no significance.

Elva ran across the room towards her aunt thinking that while she loved her it was quite unnecessary for her father to have sent her on what would prove a hopeless mission.

The two kissed each other and Lady Violet began with a smile,

“I expect you know why I am here, Elva.”