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Authors: Barbara Cartland

The Gates of Paradise

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THE GATES
OF PARADISE

BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com

Copyright © 2011 by Cartland Promotions

First published on the internet in February 2011

ISBNs

978-1-908411-74-7 Epub
978-1-908411-75-4 Prc

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.

eBook conversion by
M-Y Books

THE GATES
OF PARADISE

Narina went to her room and stood at the window looking out towards the sea.

She was thinking how bizarre it all was.

In a twinkling of an eye she had been transmitted from her quiet home in Hertfordshire to this strange land, where the local people were striving against being overrun by their greedy and aggressive neighbour.

‘They are a small Principality,' she mused, ‘and very vulnerable.

Is it really possible that the Union Jack in the shape of the wife of the ruling Prince can possibly save them?'

Then it was as if the answer to her question came to her straight from Heaven.

She realised that whatever the cost, Louise, and all those who were so proud of being British would stand and fight – they would defy the enemy and never give in.

Looking up at the sky as the sunshine was turning the garden into a fairyland of intense beauty, Narina prayed that she would play her part, however small, perfectly and without fault –

That God would give her the strength and resilience that Alexanderburg so desperately needed.

THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION

Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.

She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.

Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.

Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.

The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.

The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.

The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to
www.barbaracartland.com
to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.

If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :

 

BarbaraCartland.com

Camfield Place

Hatfield

Hertfordshire

AL9 6JE

United Kingdom

 

Telephone:  +44 1707 642629

Fax:  +44 1707 663041

 Titles in this series

These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the
Where to buy page
at the end of this book.

 

  1. The Cross Of Love
  2. Love In The Highlands
  3. Love Finds The Way
  4. The Castle Of Love
  5. Love Is Triumphant
  6. Stars In The Sky
  7. The Ship Of Love
  8. A Dangerous Disguise
  9. Love Became Theirs
  10. Love Drives In
  11. Sailing To Love
  12. The Star Of Love
  13. Music Is The Soul Of Love
  14. Love In The East
  15. Theirs To Eternity
  16. A Paradise On Earth
  17. Love Wins In Berlin
  18. In Search Of Love
  19. Love Rescues Rosanna
  20. A Heart In Heaven
  21. The House Of Happiness
  22. Royalty Defeated By Love
  23. The White Witch
  24. They Sought Love
  25. Love Is The Reason For Living
  26. They Found Their Way To Heaven
  27. Learning To Love
  28. Journey To Happiness
  29. A Kiss In The Desert
  30. The Heart Of Love
  31. The Richness Of Love
  32. For Ever And Ever
  33. An Unexpected Love
  34. Saved By An Angel
  35. Touching The Stars
  36. Seeking Love
  37. Journey To Love
  38. The Importance Of Love
  39. Love By The Lake
  40. A Dream Come True
  41. The King Without A Heart
  42. The Waters Of Love
  43. Danger To The Duke
  44. A Perfect Way To Heaven
  45. Follow Your Heart
  46. In Hiding
  47. Rivals For Love
  48. A Kiss From The Heart
  49. Lovers In London
  50. This Way To Heaven
  51. A Princess Prays
  52. Mine For Ever
  53. The Earl's Revenge
  54. Love At The Tower
  55. Ruled By Love
  56. Love Came From Heaven
  57. Love And Apollo
  58. The Keys Of Love
  59. A Castle Of Dreams
  60. A Battle Of Brains
  61. A Change Of Hearts
  62. It Is Love
  63. The Triumph Of Love
  64. Wanted – A Royal Wife
  65. A Kiss Of Love
  66. To Heaven With Love
  67. Pray For Love
  68. The Marquis Is Trapped
  69. Hide And Seek For Love
  70. Hiding from Love
  71. A Teacher Of Love
  72. Money Or Love
  73. The Revelation Is Love
  74. The Tree Of Love
  75. The Magnificent Marquis
  76. The Castle
  77. The Gates of Paradise
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND

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.

 

“Paradise is a place we would all love to find, but perfection can easily masquerade as an illusion.

Paradise for me has always been to be adored and cherished by a wonderful man who has conquered my heart and my soul absolutely.”

Barbara Cartland

CHAPTER ONE
1880

Narina tore open the letter with a strange stamp that had just been delivered and gave a cry of excitement.

She read it through twice carefully in order to be quite certain she had not made a mistake.

Then she ran down the passage towards her father's study.

The Very Right Reverend John Kenwin, Bishop of St. Albans, was busy composing his sermon for the next day, which was Palm Sunday.

He was a good-looking man with a deep voice that captivated every member of his congregation.

The third son of a distinguished Statesman, he had gone into the Church, as was the tradition in his family.

He had an outstanding intellect and together with his irresistible charm, he rose rapidly to become a Bishop just after he was fifty, and it was already taken for granted by many that he would be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

His father, Lord Kenwin, had behaved traditionally with all his three sons.

The eldest son had gone into the Life Guards, as had a great number of the men of his family before him.  He had been stationed at Windsor Castle.

There he not only guarded Queen Victoria, but had swiftly become a trusted confidant whose advice she often sought.

He married one of Her Majesty's ladies-in-waiting and now that he was approaching the age of retirement he was a highly respected member of her Household.

The second son of Lord Kenwin had gone into the Navy, where he enjoyed the chance it gave him of seeing the world and had recently been promoted to Admiral.

With such an impressive family background it was not surprising that Narina was exceedingly intelligent.

She had left her school with a prize for practically every subject she had been interested in.

In addition to her brain she was also outstandingly beautiful.

It was not only the beauty of her features that were almost classical in their perfection.

The expression in her eyes was enchanting and her charming manner she had inherited from her father.

When she reached the study door, she opened it very carefully.

She peeped in to see if her father was alone and, as he was, she went in.

Moving quietly up to him, she put her hands on his shoulders and bent over to kiss his cheek.

“Oh, it is you, Narina!” he exclaimed.

“Who else did you think was kissing you, Papa?”

He smiled at her.

“You know I am busy with my sermon.”

“Yes, Papa, but I really had to interrupt you to tell you about this exciting letter I have just received.”

Her father sat back in his chair, realising it must be important or his daughter would not have bothered him.

“It has come by Special Messenger from London – and who do you think it's from?”

“I am not going to guess,” he replied, “because, as you can see, I am very busy.”

“Then I will tell you.  It is from Louise – Princess Louise, now reigning in Alexanderburg.”

“I remember her well, a very pretty girl who I know was your greatest friend at school.”

“I love her dearly, we were always together!  Because we are so remarkably alike the teachers used to call us ‘
the twins
'.”

“And you have just heard from her, Narina?”

He gently prompted her, knowing that if she started reminiscing about her friend Louise, he would not be able to finish his sermon.

“I have not heard from Louise for quite some time and now she has written to me saying it is very urgent and if I love her, I must join her
at once
in Alexanderburg.”

BOOK: The Gates of Paradise
6.79Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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