330. the Hidden Heart by Barbara Cartland

330. the Hidden Heart by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788677424
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
Published: 2023-11-27T00:00:00+00:00


13

“Such excitement, Miss!”

This morning, Ethel did not wait to see if Sylvia was awake. She pulled back the curtains and talked at the same time.

“Why, what is happening?” Sylvia asked.

She was not asleep when Ethel came to call her. After restless night, sleep left her early in the morning and she had been thinking of Sir Robert, thinking of him with an intensity that somehow made her believe that he was thinking of her. She had dreamt of him in the night and in her dreams her lips had felt once again that strange, compelling, passionate kiss.

“Sir Robert’s coming home,” Ethel announced dramatically.

Sylvia felt the news was no surprise, it seemed the natural sequel to her dream.

“When?” she asked, sitting up in bed.

“Today, Miss. And he’s bringing a big party back with him, too.”

“A big party?”

“Yes, Miss. Her Ladyship got the letter this morning. She sent for Mr. Bateson and after that things started to hum, I can tell you. Mr. Bateson says it’s years since the house will have been so full. They’re even opening the guest rooms on the second floor.”

“Who are these people Sir Robert is bringing?” Sylvia asked, aware that she should not encourage gossip from Ethel, yet unable to check her own curiosity.

“I don’t know, Miss. I don’t expect Her Ladyship knows either, or else she didn’t tell Mr. Bateson. It will be exciting, though, won’t it, Miss, having so many people here? Grand ladies, I shouldn’t wonder.”

Sylvia said nothing. The glamour and happiness of her dream faded away from her and she came back to reality. Sir Robert had his own friends, his own life, she had no real part in it. Suddenly she felt very alone and very defenceless. What was she to him, and what could he be to her? Her heart had ached for the sight of him, yet now that he was coming back he was returning not to her but to the splendour of his home, and he was bringing his own friends to fill it.

She realised that Ethel was waiting, looking at her with an almost God-like devotion, hoping for her comments. Sylvia made an effort.

“I am sure it will all be very exciting, Ethel. Perhaps we shall be able to catch a glimpse of Sir Robert’s guests in the distance, and that will be very interesting.”

To her own ears her voice sounded false, but Ethel seemed satisfied.

“I’ve told Mrs. Brent, Miss, and she’s worrying that she won’t have enough things to wear. But you’ve got your lovely mauve dress, so you’ll be all right.”

The door shut behind Ethel. Sylvia sighed. So Romola was expecting to participate in the entertainment, to take her place in the house party! She would soon be disillusioned, she would soon learn that she would be privileged if she was allowed to be a spectator, let alone to mix with Sir Robert’s guests.

Sylvia could recall all too vividly the humiliations of the one evening when she had been invited to the dinner party downstairs.



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