The Dream and the Glory — Barbara Cartland

Lady Cordelia acompained her brother, who is on his way to Malta to become a Knight of St John. They are in Naples since the French are fighting in the seas and they meet up with their cousin, Mark Stanton, who is willing to take them to Malta.

The French had invaded Malta, and Cordelia realized that neither the island nor its harbor would be safe for the English. Frantically she thought of brave Mark Stanton and knew that if he returned with his English ship, he would be overtaken.

Her fear for the man she loved was suddenly more compelling than her own safety. She had to warn him at all casts--even if she threw her own life into desperate danger.

Turning insistently to her faithful manservant, she commanded: "Get the fastest ship you can. We must find Captain Stanton, and I'm going with you!"