Then, as Yamina sank down in a deep curtsey, the King and Queen withdrew through the door by which Yamina had entered the salon and were followed by the aide-de-camp.

Lord Castleford waited until the door had closed behind them and then he put his arms around Yamina.

“My wonderful incredible darling!” he cried. “How did you manage it and why did you not tell me?”

“I was not sure that the King would – receive me,” Yamina replied. “It is twenty years since Mama ran away from Greece to marry Papa. I thought perhaps King Otho would still be annoyed that she had never returned.”

“He has been very kind,” Lord Castleford said automatically, but his eyes were on Yamina’s face.

“I think the truth is that he had a certain tenderness for Mama,” Yamina smiled. “She was very beautiful!”

“And so are you, my darling,” Lord Castleford said, “more beautiful than I can ever tell you. How soon can we be married?”

“As soon as I am a Greek citizen,” Yamina replied, “which will be tomorrow!”

“I cannot wait – you know that!”

“I will help you in all you have to do here,” Yamina said softly, “that is – if you will let me.”

“All I want is for you to be with me and never to leave me,” Lord Castleford said. “I am not certain now I am really pleased that I still have to go on with my career. I should be completely and utterly happy to have nothing to do but make love to you!”

“I would always have been afraid that one day – you might come to the conclusion that the sacrifice was not worthwhile,” Yamina said simply.

“Do you really believe I could ever think that?”

He drew her into his arms and his voice deepened as he said,

“I love you! It will take a whole lifetime to tell you how much! As you have said yourself, there is nothing in the world except our love!”

He looked down at the happiness in her eyes and said with a little smile,

“So the slave girl was really a Princess in disguise! It is the right ending to a Fairy story!”

“No – she will always be a – slave,” Yamina whispered, “your slave, now and for ever!”

“We are both the slaves of love,” Lord Castleford said. “A love, my darling, which has existed since the beginning of time and will exist until Heaven and Earth shall pass away!”

As he spoke, his lips sought hers and, as Yamina felt his mouth take possession of her body and soul, she felt once again the flame within her come alive.

She knew that it echoed the fire of Lord Castleford’s lips and the fire in his eyes that told her how much he desired her.

It was love – violent, tempestuous, overwhelming, as invincible, as he had said himself, as the burning heat of the sun and there was no escape.