Pride and the Poor Princess

by Barbara Cartland

The Duke of Buckminster drew Princess Militsa of Russia along the passage and as they reached the end of it there was the sound of music. The Duke had given her his arm, and now as her fingers tightened on his, she said: "I... I shall not know... how to... behave." The Duke stopped. "It is not a party," he answered. "It is in fact a private Chapel. Your father told me to look after you, and that is what I intend to do--as my wife!" "Y-you are... asking me to... m-marry you?" She asked in a voice he could barely hear. "I am- not asking you--I am commanding you!" Then he drew her forward through an open door into the light of the candles on the altar and those flickering in silver sanctuary lamps hanging from the arched roof.