Money or Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-908411-59-4
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER FIVE

Alena was quietly arranging the new cushions she had bought for the drawing room.

They were a pretty blue satin and Vincent had taken her round to one of his special shops to buy them. She had found some exquisite Chinese embroidery there as well.

She draped it over the back of the sofas and with the cushions the room already looked much brighter.

She much enjoyed her morning shopping with him and when they returned to Park Lane, he asked,

“May I come into the house? I want to look at the Gainsboroughs to decide which pictures I will choose as a suitable background to place you in.”

“I have a better idea, Vincent.”

He looked at her in surprise.

“I think what you really enjoy best is landscapes. Therefore I suggest you paint me first, if that is what you wish to do, then add your landscape round me later.”

Vincent was delighted.

“That is very clever of you and something I shall really relish.”

“What I am now suggesting,” Alena confessed, “is that I sit in the Picture Gallery for you. Then, as soon as you are finished, I can carry on with all my duties in the house.”

“I thought there would be a catch in it. But I am so grateful to have you as my model I am prepared to concede everything else.”

They laughed and then they went up to the Picture Gallery to find the place where the lighting was right and where Alena could sit comfortably.

“Later you can pretend it is a fallen tree, a stile or a hump in the ground, but if I can be comfortable I can count up everything I have to do as you are painting.”

Vincent went off to collect his paints, a canvas and everything else he needed.

Alena went downstairs to see if Robin had returned.

He had left the house early after breakfast and she had forgotten what he said he was going to do.

Burley then announced that luncheon was served.

Alena was just about to say that there was no point in waiting for Robin in case he had another engagement, when suddenly there was a sound of wheels outside and she realised he was back.

“I am here,” Robin called out as he saw his sister. “I am sorry I am late, but I have something very important to tell you.”

“Luncheon is ready – ”

Rather reluctantly Robin turned towards the dining room.

“All right, my news will have to wait.”

They enjoyed an excellent luncheon and ate it very quickly.

Alena was in a hurry to hear what Robin wanted to tell her and she also wished to be ready for Vincent when he returned.

She had in fact asked him to luncheon, but he had said he would have a bite in his flat while he was collecting everything he needed to bring back with him.

“Do you have someone to look after you, Vincent?”

“There is a nice old woman who is the wife of the porter and she cooks anything I require. I am fortunate in having a valet who comes in every morning to press my clothes, polish my shoes and tidy up.

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