Journey to Happiness by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-908303-14-1
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER SIX

Soon they could see the lights of Cherbourg and an hour later they were gliding into port.

Leaning over the rail eagerly watching the sailors at work, Harriet gave a huge yawn and was immediately horrified at herself.

“I am so sorry!” she apologised.

“We were up very early this morning,” Martina reminded her. “I am quite sleepy myself. But I simply must have a glimpse of Cherbourg first.”

She walked to the rail but almost at once she too was yawning.

“Go to bed, both of you,” Hugh commanded. “We will spend the night here and tomorrow we can explore Cherbourg for three hours. My chef says it will take him at least that time to buy all he needs in the market. I suggest we all retire.”

Later, safe in her cabin, Harriet knelt down to say her prayers, thanking God for saving her from the horrors which had been waiting for her at home.

She could imagine how furious her stepfather would be when he found that she had disappeared. She could only pray that he would not catch up with them, but she feared that he might try to do so.

‘He will be furious that I have brought so much of my money with me,’ she thought.

At the same time she was sure that now she was with Hugh and Martina they would protect her however aggressive and violent her stepfather became.

‘And Lord Brompton,’ she whispered. ‘For I am sure that he too would protect me.’

On that happy thought she climbed into bed and soon fell fast asleep.

She dreamt that she was a child again and her mother was holding her in her arms.

In the next cabin Martina as well was snuggled down in the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in.

And now that the drama of the day was over she was suffering a reaction. When she thought of the risks they had taken and how easily everything might have gone wrong, she was almost faint with relief.

‘We were so lucky,’ she pondered, ‘that Hugh has been so understanding and so kind. And so clever, I must admit. It might have been otherwise. What a risk I took throwing us on the mercy of a man I do not really know.

‘And the truth is, I actually don’t know him at all, although I used to think I did. I am not sure why, but I once considered him rather dull.

‘Nobody but he would have agreed to this incredible idea. But did he do it for me or because he enjoys challenges that are unusual and adventurous?’

She reminded herself that since they had boarded his yacht he was still hinting about how much she meant to him. Surely that proved he had done it for her?

But somehow she was not quite convinced. And she wanted to be.

‘I suppose it is because he is different from anyone else I have ever met,’ she thought, ‘I could not see marvellous man he really is. I have been very silly in refusing even to listen to him when he proposed.

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