Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Weapon is Love
    The Weapon is Love
    The Weapon is Love
    Ebook172 pages2 hours

    The Weapon is Love

    By Barbara Cartland

    3/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    The Earl of Rockhaven calls on his friend the Vicar, the Reverend Simon Wolverham, to ask if his beautiful daughter, Lucinda, will pretend to be his own daughter, Muriel, who is away in Scotland staying with her aunt.
    Fortunately the girls have similar looks and Lucinda could easily be taken for Muriel.
    The Earl explains to the Vicar that a certain Baron Schlesinger and his son, Kurt, from Germany have invited themselves to luncheon at his nearby ancestral home and are insistent that his daughter is present for the occasion.
    They want the Earl's help in planning a ball in London and another one in Berlin for the Baron's daughter at which the German Kaiser will be present.
    However, the Earl is sure that what they really want is information about a unique gun which his son, Ivan, has invented and wishes to keep top secret at all costs, particularly from the Germans.
    Lucinda has known Ivan since she was a child and she shares his love of horses and riding as well as the lovely countryside.
    She is deeply suspicious of the Germans' motives in planning these balls as she feels that it is just a pretext for finding out what they can about Ivan's gun as it could be of considerable use for Germany's growing Army and Navy, which at some stage might be a menace to England.
    How Lucinda helps the Earl and Ivan entertain the Germans and help them with the two balls.
    How she finds the Baron's son, Kurt, very frightening and unpleasant.
    And how, when they reach Berlin, Lucinda finds intrigue and love, is all told in this exciting and romantic novel by BARBARA CARTLAND.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBarbara Cartland Ebooks ltd
    Release dateDec 12, 2016
    ISBN9781782139171
    The Weapon is Love

    Related to The Weapon is Love

    Titles in the series (100)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Royalty Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Ngā Pukapuka

      Jan 7, 2021

      Ngā Pukapuka
      3 min read

    • Article

      Sara Maitland

      Nov 17, 2022

      After seven years of monthly columns from the countryside, Sara Maitland has decided to pass on the writing baton, due to illness. Regular readers will have noticed that Nicola Chester has stepped in admirably over the past few months and I’m delight

      2 min read

    • Article

      “Caroline Was Besotted With Byron. But, Ungrateful Love Rat That He Was, He Set Off Chasing Others”

      Jun 8, 2023

      Ellie Cawthorne: Why did you want to write a biography of Lamb? What was it about her that intrigued you? Lady Antonia Fraser: During lockdown, I dusted a room that I haven’t dusted for years, which is full of books, like every room in this house. A

      6 min read

    • Article

      Great Reads

      Sep 20, 2023

      by M.A. Kuzniar (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Loosely based on Swan Lake, this frosty, festive and fated fairy tale is sure to seduce you. As the first snowflake of winter falls on post-war London, invitations appear for the most talked-about party of

      2 min read

    • Article

      From our ROYAL Insider

      Aug 31, 2023

      From our ROYAL Insider
      3 min read

    • Article

      Books To Read About The Royal Family, From The Queen To Diana

      Feb 19, 2021

      There’s been a global fascination with the royal family for centuries. And, if viewing figures of The Crown are anything to go by (73 million households have watched the royal drama since it began in 2016), interest shows no signs of waning. Much lik

      4 min read

    • Article

      Love and anguish NOELLE’S GRAND PASSION

      Jun 12, 2022

      Noelle McCarthy is a writer and broadcaster who will be well known to RNZ listeners for her successful podcasts and her Summer Noelle shows. Her new book Grand: Becoming My Mother’s Daughter is a memoir of her life from Catholic Ireland in the ’70s,

      3 min read

    • Article

      Four Royal Reads

      Jun 12, 2022

      From the moment she became engaged to Prince Charles, it was clear that Princess Diana was going to be a fashion icon and trendsetter. Fashion writer Eloise Moran reckons there was something more going on than just stylish outfits. Looking carefully

      1 min read

    • Article

      For December, Forget Wrapping Presents And Treat Yourself To These 3 Romances

      Dec 12, 2017

      Escape from the holiday whirl with three tasty romances, featuring a duke with an epic library, a young girl finding herself in the big city and a proper lady finding love where she least expects it.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Prince Philip And Prince Charles: How The Duke Of Edinburgh Shaped The Future King

      Apr 12, 2021

      When the Prince of Wales paid his moving tribute to his “dear papa”, saying that he and the royal family would miss him enormously, his pain was palpable. Charles said his father was a “much loved and appreciated figure” and a “very special person”.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Oct 28, 2022

      Books
      2 min read

    • Article

      Liz Ellis

      Jan 11, 2024

      Liz Ellis
      1 min read

    • Article

      This Weekend

      Mar 16, 2020

      If you’re looking for that beautiful, conversation-worthy piece for your home, then move aside malls, and hello markets. Kamers is back for another autumn showcase, with over 180 ‘makers’ offering you their best wares. Kamers is arguably one of the b

      4 min read

    • Article

      For March, 3 Romances That Fight For Love

      Mar 19, 2019

      True love finds a way amid food trucks, ice skates and ... knife throwing? In other words, March is just another month in Romancelandia, and we've got three stories of people fighting hard for love.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Worlds Of Ink And Paper

      Nov 22, 2022

      As a young girl, I still remember my dear mother, smile on her face, curled up with Family Circle magazine in her lap. She was engrossed in an article titled “Butternut Wisdom,” written by Gladys Taber. At my age, it didn’t mean a thing to me. But as

      6 min read

    • Article

      BOOKS TO READ in March/April

      Feb 17, 2023

      BY GINO D'ACAMPO (BLOOMSBURY, R740) ‘People have this idea that in every Italian family there are secret recipes that get passed down the generations. And it's 100 percent true! This book is my way of celebrating the amazing women in all our families

      5 min read

    • Article

      Reading Corner

      Sep 4, 2023

      Reading Corner
      3 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Nov 20, 2023

      How To Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir by Safiya Sinclair is a truly wonderful and compelling account of growing up as the eldest daughter in a strict Rasta family. Shining a light on the history of the much-persecuted Rastafari movement, Sinclair lyr

      3 min read

    • Article

      My Three Books Of A Lifetime

      Jul 13, 2022

      (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, published 2018) THIS coming-of-age novel kept me alternately on the edge of my seat and wiping many a tear. I defy any reader not to be completely beguiled by the mysteri-ous Kya and her relationship with Nature. As a side note—

      1 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Weapon is Love

    3/5

    1 rating0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Weapon is Love - Barbara Cartland

      Cartland

      CHAPTER ONE ~ 1894

      The Vicar of Pennycroft, the Very Reverend Simon Wolverham had finished his Sermon and with a sigh laid it on one side of his desk.

      He always wrote his Sermons on Friday afternoon so that, if he wanted to change it or say something different on Sunday, he had plenty of time to do it in.

      He was extremely conscientious about this despite the fact that few people in his congregation ever listened to his Sermons.

      A large number of them were so old that they could not hear it anyway.

      At the same time he thought that it was his duty as Vicar of Pennycroft to give his congregation a full Sermon every Sunday, whether they wanted it or not.

      He was an exceedingly clever man and his friends and relations had been very certain that he would end up as a Bishop.

      But he had preferred to live in the country and had deliberately chosen the small village of Pennycroft because it was a perfect place for riding his fine thoroughbreds in the beautiful countryside.

      Unlike most Vicars he maintained a large stable.

      Not only did he use it extensively himself but it was enjoyed by his daughter and a number of friends who made excuses to visit the Vicar whenever they wanted to ride his horses.

      He was thinking now that he would be able to have a long ride before it was time for supper.

      As the sun was shining brightly outside, it had been a considerable effort on his part to go into the study and concentrate on writing his Sermon.

      He rose to his feet and was just about to leave the room when the door opened.

      The Earl of Rockhaven, his servant announced.

      He was the Squire of the village of Pennycroft and he owned nearly every house in it including the Vicarage.

      He also paid the Vicar’s generous stipend.

      This was actually, although, naturally he never said so, the reason that the Vicar had come to Pennycroft in the first place.

      Everyone he knew had been astounded that it was his final choice when he had been offered so many other Parishes in more prestigious parts of the country.

      In fact he had made his mark from the first moment he started to preach.

      His brilliant orations were the reason why everyone was convinced that he would surely end up as a Bishop if not higher still.

      He might well become, as a number of his relatives hoped, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

      But Pennycroft belonged to the Earl of Rockhaven and the Vicar had become a close friend of his while they were at Oxford University and was famous for the horses which were bred on the Earl’s estate.

      They already had to their great credit won nearly all the most celebrated races in the country.

      The Grand National last year had been won by a horse which had been born and bred at Pennycroft.

      And everyone this year was completely convinced that the Gold Cup at Ascot would be won by a horse which had come from the Pennycroft stables.

      As the Earl walked into the study, he was moving in the brisk but relaxed manner of a man who used all his muscles when he was riding.

      In consequence he was athletic even though he was nearing old age.

      Good morning, Simon, the Earl said, holding out his hand.

      As the Vicar took it, he answered,

      You are very early, what has happened. Surely the horses are all right and safe.

      Of course they are, the Earl replied. But I have a problem which only you can solve.

      Not another one! the Vicar groaned.

      He was used to his friend coming to him with every difficulty and problem that arose on his large estate and the many farms he owned.

      But he would have been very surprised if, in fact, the Earl had gone anywhere else.

      Their friendship had started at Oxford University and had increased year by year.

      The Vicar thought secretly to himself that it would be impossible for not only the village but the whole of the Earl’s estate to manage without him.

      As it is too early for a drink, the Vicar now said, would you like a cup of coffee?

      The Earl shook his head.

      No, thank you! I just want your help. I have a problem and as usual only you can solve it.

      The Vicar laughed.

      That is nothing unusual. What is it this time?

      He felt as he spoke that, as far as he was concerned, there was no current trouble on the large estate nor should there be.

      When, the previous day, he had inspected the most well bred horses in the stables, he had been impressed with how fit and healthy they all looked.

      The Earl had sat down on the sofa by the fireplace and because it was summer there were flowers where the wood and coal would be in the winter.

      It is really Ivan’s problem more than mine, the Earl began. But I want to borrow Lucinda from you for luncheon today.

      The Vicar looked surprised.

      Is that all? he quizzed the Earl. There will be no difficulty about that.

      On the contrary, he replied. She has to pretend to my visitors that she is Muriel and I am sure that she will do it extremely cleverly.

      The Vicar stared at him.

      Well, you have to tell me the reason for this, he said, and where is Muriel by the way?

      She has gone North to stay with her grandmother. Of course I had no idea when she left yesterday afternoon that the Germans would be arriving here today or that they would invite themselves to luncheon with me.

      The Vicar sat down on the nearest chair.

      I don’t understand what is happening, he pointed out. Tell me from the very beginning, Roland.

      That is what I intend to do, the Earl answered. But, of course, Ivan has been keeping it a secret very sensibly from everyone until it was completed.

      What has he been keeping a secret? the Vicar asked sharply.

      The Earl glanced over his shoulder almost as if he suspected that someone might be listening in the corner of the study.

      It has been a secret up to now, he said, simply because Ivan wanted to be sure that he was onto the right thing. Also, when he finally introduces his invention, no one else would be able to copy it.

      Ivan’s invention! the Vicar exclaimed. That is something very new. I have certainly not been told about it.

      I made him promise at the very beginning that he would say nothing at all, the Earl said. But now, in some manner we don’t quite understand, the Germans have heard about what he was inventing and are determined not only to help him but to make sure that they own his discovery before anyone else.

      What is this discovery? the Vicar asked. How could Ivan have thought of anything that would interest the Germans?

      That is exactly what I asked myself. Actually I am very proud of my son for having been clever enough to invent something which has never been discovered before. Although it seems incredible that it has apparently excited the whole German Army!

      How is that possible?

      That is what I wondered myself, the Earl replied. Actually the answer is remarkably simple and as Ivan says it should indeed have been invented some time ago.

      There was silence for a moment.

      Then the Vicar said,

      I am waiting patiently, Roland, to hear what it is that Ivan has invented.

      The Earl bent forward a little and then lowered his voice,

      A gun which can be fired under water and that is something that has never been invented before by anyone else.

      The Vicar gazed at him.

      Of course it’s a fantastic idea. But is Ivan certain that his invention will work?

      It has already undergone several secret trials, the Earl replied, which have all been amazingly successful, although how the Germans heard of them we don’t know. All we have learnt is that a Chief of Staff and an Officer have invited themselves to luncheon today!

      Today, the Vicar muttered.

      Ivan is certain that they have done so because they are aware of his discovery, the Earl continued, and want to make certain that they have it first before ourselves or any other European Nation.

      How can Ivan be sure of that? the Vicar asked.

      Apparently he has his spies from what I hear about it, the Earl answered, who helped him with the discovery when he first thought of it. He is quite certain that the men who are to be our guests today are coming to spy out the land and to make sure if, as they believe, Ivan’s invention will work and so Germany will have it before any other country.

      There was another silence.

      Then the Vicar commented,

      I would rather almost any country in Europe have it before Germany.

      That is what Ivan feels, at the same time he thinks that it would be a big mistake to be rude to them or deny completely that he has made the invention. After all he had to have the gun manufactured.

      The Vicar nodded and the Earl went on,

      He also had to experiment, as he has said himself, three times before it worked. As we know, on these sort of occasions there are spies everywhere even right up in the sky, although we cannot see them!

      The Vicar laughed.

      Then he said,

      I just cannot see exactly how I can help you in this matter.

      It’s really quite easy, the Earl replied. The man who is coming has made it a private visit. He says that he particularly wants to speak to my daughter, Muriel, as he is bringing with him his daughter who is about her age and they want Muriel to help them with a ball that they will be giving in Berlin and another one in London at the German Embassy.

      So that is their disguise! the Vicar exclaimed.

      Exactly, the Earl replied. But Ivan is suspicious at their sudden interest in him and his home. He is almost certain that it is the gun they are after. He is determined, if it is humanly possible, to keep them from having it.

      I very much agree with that sentiment, the Vicar answered. But I don’t quite see how Lucinda comes into it.

      Quite easily. Ivan thinks that it would be a great mistake to stray off the subject of their ball, which they will do if Muriel is not present.

      The Vicar looked worried.

      Then the Earl carried on,

      As it is their safeguard or rather their excuse for visiting us, it would be a great mistake to announce that Muriel was not even here, therefore precipitating them into explaining, in what Ivan believes will be a very different matter, their strong interest in his brilliant invention and how it works.

      The Vicar looked puzzled for a moment.

      Then he asked,

      What you are suggesting then is that Lucinda takes Muriel’s place. But do you then intend to say that she is your daughter and Ivan’s sister rather than announce her as a friend?

      Ivan says, and he knows that you will understand, that the longer he can keep the Germans from announcing their real interest, which is in his gun, the easier it will be for us to send them away having learnt nothing.

      He paused before he added,

      He is absolutely convinced that the idea of a ball is only an excuse for their presence while what they really want is a look at Ivan’s gun or at least find out if the whole thing is only a Fairytale and there is no truth in it.

      I see your point, the Vicar said. But then do you really believe that Lucinda will convince them that she is your daughter?

      As she is beautiful in her own way as Muriel is, the Earl replied, I think, if I introduce her as my daughter, they will be completely deceived and at least talking about the ball will give Ivan every chance, he thinks, of deciding whether they are really genuine in their search or perhaps just treating it as a fancy gun which could never be used in open combat.

      The Vicar was silent.

      He was thinking that the German Army was very large already.

      Everyone in Europe was well aware that they had every intention of increasing their power and importance.

      It was therefore understandable that they wished to own every weapon that was new and unusual which

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1