A Lucky Star by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-908411-77-8
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER SIX

As promised, The Sea Sprite duly arrived at Naples the following morning.

As the ship sailed majestically into its wide curving bay, Anthea was entranced by all she could see.

Above them towered Mount Vesuvius.

“Goodness, I hope it does not decide to erupt while we are here!” muttered Linette.

“Captain MacFarlane says it last erupted ten years ago. Although that was not a major eruption, many people were killed and the sea level was raised as a result.”

“Oh, dear. Hopefully we shall be fortunate and it will remain intact whilst we are here, but look, there is smoke coming from it.”

“That is because it is an active volcano. I have read a little about volcanoes after that dreadful eruption in Java that killed so many Dutch settlers as well as natives.”

“Oh, yes. My Governess told me about it – it made me quite terrified of volcanoes for months. It was all she could do to reassure me that there were not any in Surrey!”

“That is where your home is?”

“Yes, that, and our house in Scotland. Papa also keeps a house in London, but we don’t go there much. Papa prefers the quiet life and enjoys hunting and riding.”

“I didn’t realise you had a London house too.”

“Yes – that’s where I was staying when we met. Didn’t I hear you telling Papa that your family lives in Mayfair, Anthea?”

“Yes, in Mount Street.”

“Oh, we are on Park Lane! I cannot believe we have only just realised how close our houses are after all our chats on this journey! But Papa is never one for socialising or balls or soirees, although his lady admirers often invite him to them, so that is probably why we have never met.”

Anthea was silent as the ship slid into the dock.

‘Very soon I shall see him again,’ she murmured as the wind whipped her hair. ‘And I shall then know if these feelings are more than just silly fantasies.’

Just then Captain MacFarlane came towards them.

“Excuse me, my Lady, Miss Preston, but as you can see, we have arrived at our destination. Would you care to go ashore or wait until his Lordship comes to join us?”

“Oh, we shall wait for Papa,” replied Linette. “Will you ask chef to arrange luncheon for us at midday? I am quite famished already.”

“Of course, I shall tell him myself.”

The Captain smiled and excused himself.

As he walked back to the bridge, Linette remarked,

“He is a very fine man, is he not? I trust him with my life.”

“Yes, he is,” replied Anthea, “but I would imagine that your father would engage only the best people to care for his only daughter!”

Linette laughed.

“La Bella Napoli!” she sighed. “It’s so great to be back here. If only my time was not going to be filled with entertaining Papa’s boring clients! It will be ships, ships, ships – morning, noon and night!”

“Perhaps he will allow us to sightsee. It cannot be all work for you.”

“You don’t know Papa. Work is everything to him. That is probably why he has never remarried.

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