104. the Glittering Lights by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782136170
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
Published: 2014-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

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The Duke called for Cassandra on the following morning at half past twelve.

She had begged him not to come earlier, knowing that it would take some time for her to explain to her aunt that she was out to luncheon, go to the flat and change her clothes.

The most difficult person to deal with was Hannah who, having sat up until three o’clock the night before, was in a thoroughly disagreeable mood.

It had, however, not been such a hardship as she had tried to make out.

When Cassandra let herself into the flat, she had found Hannah fast asleep on a bed in the small bedroom and it had been quite difficult to awaken her.

The night porter had called them a cab and they had driven back to Park Lane with Hannah not only grumbling every inch of the way but also threatening to return to Yorkshire and tell Sir James what was going on.

Cassandra had managed to pacify her, but it had been difficult this morning to get her to return to the flat and help with her change of clothing.

The gown Cassandra was wearing when the Duke arrived was very attractive. At the same time it was a little too gaudy to be anything other than theatrical.

Of bronze silk trimmed with velvet, the skirt was draped at the front and swept behind into a bustle. The little jacket, which ended at the waist, was trimmed with fur and buttoned down the front with imitation topazes.

Because she had real jewels to match, Cassandra could not resist wearing a topaz brooch, bracelet and earrings, a set that her father had given to her the previous year.

He had told her not to wear the earrings until she was married, but she thought now that they made her look more sophisticated. They were also very fetching with a bonnet trimmed with topaz-yellow feathers, which was tied under her chin with velvet ribbons.

Cassandra was only just ready and was waiting in the sitting room when the Duke knocked at the door of the flat.

She let him in and she could not disguise the amusement in her eyes as she watched him glance around at the over-decorated vulgar sitting room.

“Is this yours?” he began with an incredulous note in his voice.

Then he exclaimed,

“But of course not! This is Hetty Henlow’s flat! I have been here once before many years ago.”

“Then you know my landlady?” Cassandra laughed.

“I know old Lord Fitzmaurice who pays for it,” the Duke replied. “He is a member of White’s and he has been keeping Hetty for years!”

Cassandra stiffened.

She had never heard the expression before, but she could guess what it implied.

She suddenly felt ashamed that the Duke should see her in such a place.

Before, the flat had merely seemed common and gaudy, but now she could not bear him to associate her with anything crude or immoral.

“Let’s go,” she suggested quickly.

Without waiting for him to answer, she pulled open the door and started to descend the stairs.

Carrying his top hat and silver-headed cane, the Duke hurried after her.

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