Flowers For the God of Love

by Barbara Cartland

  She was silent and then she asked tentatively,

  “Did – you feel – anything like that?”

  “For me, my lovely one,” Rex answered, “our love was an ecstasy beyond words and I have never, this is true, felt so happy or so fulfilled.”

  “Oh, I am glad – so very – very – glad.”

  “It can all be summed up in one word – love.”

  “I love you! I love you!”

  “You are quite certain I have not hurt or frightened you?” he asked. “I meant, my glorious darling, to be very gentle, to woo you very slowly so that you would never be afraid.”

  “I am not – afraid,” Quenella answered, “but I did not know that one could be utterly consumed in a fire and it would be the most perfect – the most marvellous thing that could ever – happen.”

  “The fire of love!”

  “That is what it – was like.”

  He swept her hair back from her face and looked down at her and in the last dying light from the logs he saw her eyes gazing up at him and her lips inviting his.

  “I have so much to teach you, my beautiful flower, and there is so much for you to teach me.”

  “About – what?”

  “About our souls, our spirits and our bodies,” he answered. “We have both been struggling alone. Now there is the joy of thinking and feeling the same and of finding our way together up to the highest peak.”

  “You said that it was – possible to achieve the – impossible,” Quenella whispered, “and you are so – right.”

  Rex took the last word from her lips with his and, only when he had kissed her until she was breathless and until her heart was beating as frantically as his, did he say,

  “I must let you sleep, my darling. We are leaving quite early tomorrow and we will be riding.”

  “Where are we – going?”

  “There are many places I wish to show you, Holy places, places that are not known to the ordinary visitors to Naini Tal.”

  “I shall love that.”

  “They can only be reached on horseback.”

  “Can we really go alone?”

  “If you are prepared to risk meeting the spirits and the Gods who live in the mountains, then I promise you that there will be no need for any escort.”

  Quenella gave a little sigh of sheer happiness.

  “Oh, Rex, I never thought anything so – wonderful could be – waiting for me, but I would not have you risk being in – danger even to make me – happy”

  “You are thinking of me?”

  “Who else?” she asked. “There is no one else. You fill the whole world, the sky, the mountains and – the plains.”

  She hesitated on the last words and Rex asked,

  “Why did you say ‘plains’ like that?”

  “Because of what the Saddhu said to me.”

  “What Saddhu?”

  “He was sitting in the compound and he told me that I was looking for the – heights, but that I must also go – down into the – plains.”

  She hesitated for a moment and then she said,

  “I think that he – meant by the – plains, the fire and sensations you have just given me.”

  “That is what I thought.”

  “The Saddhu said that the heights and the plains – complemented each other and that that was the – way to enlightenment.”

  “Which we will find together.”

  “Oh, darling, darling Rex!” she cried passionately. “How could I have believed when I left England that this – would happen to me?”

  “It has happened,” he answered. “And this is only the beginning. We have so much more to do together.”

  He was about to kiss her, but she hid her face as she asked,

  “There is – something – I want to say to you.”

  “What is it?”

  He knew that she was searching for words and he waited, believing that he had never known that such happiness existed.

  Quenella’s voice was like music as she said,

  “The books you gave me said that Hindu girls – worship their husbands because each – believes her husband to be – Krishna, the – God of Love.”

  “That is true.”

  “And – ” Quenella whispered, “the – act of love – is therefore – Divine.”

  Rex did not speak and she went on,

  “That is what – I felt. To me you are – Krishna, the love you – give me is – Holy and – I worship you.”

  He held her so close that she could not breathe.

  “My darling, my precious wonderful wife, you must not say such things. It is I who must worship you, because you are perfect.”

  She put up her arms in an impulsive gesture and pulled his head down to hers, her lips seeking his with her body pressed against him.

  Then the fire within them burst into flames and, rising higher and higher, burning wildly and passionately with the violence of love, carried them up towards the peaks of ecstasy.

  *

  It was early in the morning and the sun was not over-hot as Rex lifted Quenella onto the saddle of the horse waiting outside the front door.

  Captain Anderson saw them off.

  “The servants are to bring out the luncheon on pack horses and lay it under the trees above the Naini Cascade,” Rex ordered. “They are to be there at noon, then move out of sight and collect what is left two hours later.”

  Quenella made a little sound of delight, but she did not interrupt.

  “I will see that it is done,” Captain Anderson replied.

  “And make it quite clear that there will be no official engagements for two weeks,” Rex went on. “You can deal with anything that is urgent.”

  The aide-de-camp hesitated for a moment and then he asked,

  “If I am doubtful about anything in particular, may I discuss it with Your Excellency this evening?”

  “No,” Rex said to him firmly. “We will dine in Her Excellency’s sitting room with only Azim to wait on us. As far as the household is concerned, we are not in residence. There are no exceptions to the rule.”

  “Very good, Your Excellency.”

  Then Captain Anderson smiled and added,

  “Good luck, my Lord, and may I offer my somewhat belated but very sincere congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Anderson.”

  Rex turned to mount his horse. As he did so, one of the gardeners came towards the house.

  He carried on one arm a huge basket of freshly cut roses and in his other hand there was a bunch of tiger lilies.

  “Give me those,” Rex ordered, taking them from him.

  He swung himself onto his horse and fixed the lilies to the front of his saddle.

  Then he and Quenella rode away, Captain Anderson and the two sentries outside the front door saluting as they went.

  Only when they reached the orchid-lined paths that led through the Park did Quenella ask curiously,

  “Why did you want the tiger lilies?”

  “Because they are the flower I have always identified with you,” Rex answered. “To me they symbolise purity and at the same time the wildness of the tiger.”

  She understood what he was trying to say and she blushed.

  “But what are you – going to do with – them?” she enquired after a moment

  Rex looked up at the snow-capped mountains that were discernible through the blossom-covered branches of the trees and then at Quenella.

  “I intend to lay them on the first Shrine we find dedicated to the God of Love!”

  Their eyes met.

  She looked very desirable against the background of white, scarlet and blue blossoms.

  “I prayed that Lord Krishna would give me love,” Quenella said softly. “How can I ever thank Him?”

  “We have, my darling, all Eternity in which to do so,” Rex answered.

  OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

  The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebook
s all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.

  Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.

  The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .

  Elizabethan Lover

  The Little Pretender

  A Ghost in Monte Carlo

  A Duel of Hearts

  The Saint and the Sinner

  The Penniless Peer

  The Proud Princess

  The Dare-Devil Duke

  Diona and a Dalmatian

  A Shaft of Sunlight

  Lies for Love

  Love and Lucia

  Love and the Loathsome Leopard

  Beauty or Brains

  The Temptation of Torilla

  The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl

  Fragrant Flower

  Look Listen and Love

  The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter

  A Kiss for the King

  The Mysterious Maid-servant

  Lucky Logan Finds Love

  The Wings of Ecstacy

  Mission to Monte Carlo

  Revenge of the Heart

  The Unbreakable Spell

  Never Laugh at Love

  Bride to a Brigand

  Lucifer and the Angel

  Journey to a Star

  Solita and the Spies

  The Chieftain Without a Heart

  No Escape from Love

  Dollars for the duke

  Pure and Untouched

  Secrets

  Fire in the Blood

  Love, Lies and Marriage

  The Ghost who Fell in Love

  Hungry for Love

  The Wild Cry of Love

  The Blue-eyed Witch

  The Punishment of a Vixen

  The Secret of the Glen

  Bride to the King

  For All Eternity

  King in Love

  A Marriage made in Heaven

  Who can deny Love?

  Riding to the Moon

  Wish for Love

  Dancing on a Rainbow

  Gypsy Magic

  Love in the Clouds

  Count the Stars

  White Lilac

  Too Precious to Lose

  The Devil Defeated

  An Angel Runs Away

  The Duchess Disappeared

  The Pretty Horse-breakers

  The Prisoner of Love

  Ola and the Sea Wolf

  The Castle made for Love

  A Heart is Stolen

  The Love Pirate

  As Eagles Fly

  The Magic of Love

  Love Leaves at Midnight

  A Witch’s Spell

  Love Comes West

  The Impetuous Duchess

  A Tangled Web

  Love lifts the Curse

  Saved By A Saint

  Love is Dangerous

  The Poor Governess

  The Peril and the Prince

  A Very Unusual Wife

  Say Yes Samantha

  Punished with love

  A Royal Rebuke

  The Husband Hunters

  Signpost To Love

  Love Forbidden

  Gift Of the Gods

  The Outrageous Lady

  The Slaves Of Love

  The Disgraceful Duke

  The Unwanted Wedding

  Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge

  From Hate to Love

  A Very Naughty Angel

  The Innocent Imposter

  A Rebel Princess

  A Wish Comes True

  Haunted

  Passions In The Sand

  Little White Doves of Love

  A Portrait of Love

  The Enchanted Waltz

  Alone and Afraid

  The Call of the Highlands

  The Glittering Lights

  An Angel in Hell

  Only a Dream

  A Nightingale Sang

  Pride and the Poor Princess

  Stars in my Heart

  The Fire of Love

  A Dream from the Night

  Sweet Enchantress

  The Kiss of the Devil

  Fascination in France

  Love Runs In

  Lost Enchantment

  Love is Innocent

  The Love Trap

  No Darkness for Love

  Kiss from a Stranger

  The Flame Is Love

  A Touch of Love

  The Dangerous Dandy

  In Love In Lucca

  The Karma Of Love

  Magic For The Heart

  Paradise Found

  Only Love

  A Duel with Destiny

  The Heart of the Clan

  The Ruthless Rake

  Revenge is Sweet

  Fire on the Snow

  A Revolution of Love

  Love at the Helm

  Listen to Love

  Love Casts out Fear

  The Devilish Deception

  Riding in the Sky

  The Wonderful Dream

  This Time it’s Love

  The River of Love

  A Gentleman in Love

  The Island of Love

  Miracle for a Madonna

  The Storms of Love

  The Prince and the Pekingese

  The Golden Cage

  Theresa and a Tiger

  The Goddess of Love

  Alone in Paris

  The Earl Rings a Belle

  The Runaway Heart

  From Hell to Heaven

  Love in the Ruins

  Crowned with Love

  Love is a Maze

  Hidden by Love

  Love is the Key

  A Miracle in Music

  The Race for Love

  Call of the Heart

  The Curse of the Clan

  Saved by Love

  The Tears of Love

  Winged Magic

  Born of Love

  Love Holds the Cards

  A Chieftain Finds Love

  The Horizons of Love

  The Marquis Wins

  A Duke in Danger

  Warned by a Ghost

  Forced to Marry

  Sweet Adventure

  Love is a Gamble

  Love on the Wind

  Looking for Love

  Love is the Enemy

  The Passion and the Flower

  The Reluctant Bride

  Safe in Paradise

  The Temple of Love

  Love at First Sight

  The Scots Never Forget

  The Golden Gondola

  No Time for Love

  Love in the Moon

  A Hazard of Hearts

  Just Fate

  The Kiss of Paris

  Little Tongues of Fire

  Love Under Fire

  The Magnificent Marriage

  Moon over Eden

  The Dream and the Glory

  A Victory for Love

  A Princess in Distress

  A Gamble with Hearts

  Love Strikes a Devil

  In the Arms of Love

  Love in the Dark

  Love Wins

  The Marquis who Hated Women

  Love is Invincible

  Love Climbs in

  The Queen Saves the King

  The Duke Comes Home

  Love Joins the Clans

  The Power and the Prince

  Winged Victory

  Light of the Gods

  The Golden Illusion

  Never Lose Love

  The Sleeping Princess

  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 outsta
nding 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.

  Flowers for the God of Love

  Barbara Cartland

  Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd

  This edition © 2019

  Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books