CHAPTER FOURThere was silence and then the Marquis said quietly,
“There is only one person who can help us and I am prepared to go down on my knees if necessary to beg her to do so.”
He was looking at Valona as he spoke.
She stiffened as he continued,
“Please, Valona, only you could take Rose’s place and, if I may say so, you are far more Royal than she is.”
“I cannot do it. Just how could I?” she murmured almost beneath her breath.
The Marquis moved closer to her and sitting down in the chair next to hers, he took her hand in his.
“Now listen carefully to me, Valona, from what I have gathered from the Ambassador, the King has not long to live, so your marriage, I am sure, will be in name only.”
He could feel Valona’s fingers trembling in his.
“If you become Queen of Larissa, you
