217. Flowers For the God of love

With Russian, English and Irish blood and described by her uncle Sir Terence O'Kerry, Head of the India Office as "as mysterious as the Sphinx but as lovely as Cleopatra must have been at that age", it is no surprise that young Quenella O'Kerry has suitors falling at her feet. The trouble is that among is the lecherous Prince Ferdinand of Schertzenberg - who not only has pursued her relentlessly but has even attempted to rape her It seems the only way for Quenella to escape the Prince's clutches is a marriage on convenience - which is just what the dashing Major Rex Daviot requires if he is to assume the promotion offered by the Queen to become Lieutenant-Governor of India's North-west Provinces.The prospect of a loveless marriage depresses Rex, who enjoys the attentions of many a Society Beauty but even as they journey to India, Quenella's curiosity, intelligence and loveliness piques his interest. And soon, despite himself, Rex finds that this marriage blossoms into something far, far deeper.