Free Rivals for Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

studied at University,” resumed Lady Violet. “Then he joined the Horse Guards and journeyed to St. Petersburg.”
    â€œAnd how did he meet the Empress?”
    â€œIt was one of those strange occasions which I am sure you would now call a miracle. Catherine had not yet become the Empress because the two Orlov brothers were conspiring to depose her husband, Czar Peter III, and place her on the throne of Russia.”
    â€œIt must have been a most dangerous scenario,” murmured Elva.
    â€œShe was prepared to lead the Guards to Peterhof, wearing a borrowed uniform. As she was having trouble with the knotted sash that held her sword and scabbard in place, Potemkin, a new upstart young Officer, impulsively rode to her side and gave her his own sword knot.”
    â€œThat was certainly a brave action to take.”
    â€œIt undoubtedly must have caused a good deal of comment as he remained close to her all through the ride and later fell in love with her. She was then actually in love with Prince Gregory Orlov, but Potemkin’s peculiar magnetism had already begun to work its magic and he was constantly in her mind.”
    â€œHow old was he then?”
    â€œHe was just twenty-three, ten years younger than Catherine. Very tall and with a large heavily muscled body. He sported black curly hair which framed his face, flashing dark eyes and an aquiline nose.”
    Elva grinned.
    â€œHe does sound rather frightening.”
    â€œWhen Catherine was crowned Empress of Russia six months later in Moscow and distributed honours to her supporters,” Lady Violet continued, “there was a special award for Potemkin. She gave him ten thousand roubles, an estate with four hundred serfs and a double promotion in rank. Most of the Officers in the conspiracy were raised by one grade.”
    â€œWhat happened next?” asked Elva breathlessly.
    â€œThe Empress often heard stories about him from the Orlovs, who found him witty, amusing, a wonderful mimic and a born actor.”
    â€œIn what way?”
    â€œOne night the Empress asked him to do some of his imitations. On an impulse with supreme impertinence, he imitated Catherine’s own voice speaking Russian with her German accent. For a moment everyone stiffened and so did Catherine. Then she laughed. She was enchanted.”
    â€œAnd what happened?”
    â€œThe Empress’s fondness and admiration for him only increased. Naturally the two Orlov brothers became jealous. They invited him to their Palace, provoked a quarrel and beat him up so badly that he had to be carried away and was left permanently blind in his right eye.”
    â€œHow cruel!” exclaimed Elva.
    â€œHis eye was totally lost,” Lady Violet went on, “and the Orlovs were now venomously hostile to him. He departed from St. Petersburg and entered a monastery. He might even have stayed there had not the Empress written him friendly letters and shown interest in him. He decided after a year and a half to return to the Russian Court.”
    â€œThat was brave of him.”
    â€œThe Empress was becoming rather bored at that particular time and she wrote a letter to Potemkin full of compliments. So he realised that she still felt more than just friendly towards him. She ended by stating that he was a very powerful man and could be the second most powerful force in all the Russias.”
    â€œHe must have been thrilled!”
    â€œPotemkin recognised just what the situation had to offer him. He owned many splendid military uniforms and at times he would wear all his medals and decorations together and walk about as brilliant as a rainbow!
    â€œMore often when he entered the Winter Palace to visit the Empress, he wore a monkish khalat. His hair was tousled and his feet sandaled or bare. He disdained not only the formalities of Court life, but the disapproval of Ambassadors and Palace servants.”
    â€œHow extraordinary!”
    â€œBut however