Punished with Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbara Cartland EBooks ltd
Published: 2013-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

*

The following morning, after their breakfast had been removed, she asked,

“Would you like to explain to me what is happening amongst the Muslim tribes on the frontier between Afghanistan and India?”

There was no doubt that Lord Branscombe stiffened at her question.

“Who have you been talking to?” he asked sharply.

Latonia smiled.

“As you are well aware, I have not had the opportunity of talking to anyone but you, but at least you have allowed me to read.”

She thought he relaxed before he remarked,

“I am sure I can find you some books on the subject, if that is what interests you.”

“I would much rather you talked to me and explained what I want to know,”

“And what is that?”

“How dangerous are the tribesmen in the North and are the Russians deliberately using smaller independent Princes to further their own interests?”

She had the feeling that if she had dropped a bomb at Lord Branscombe’s feet he could not have been more astonished.

At the same time, after an initial start of surprise he appeared relaxed and, apart from what she thought was a dangerous glitter in his grey eyes, his face was quite expressionless.

“I cannot imagine what book you have read that is full of such nonsense,” he said. “I personally think the menace of the Russians has been deliberately blown up out of all proportion by writers like Rudyard Kipling, who want to sell their books.”

Latonia did not answer and, after a moment, as if he was curious to know her reaction to his words, he asked,

“Do you believe me?”

She shook her head slowly.

“I might have done so,” she said, “if I had not heard what Colonel Stevens said to you last night.”

Lord Branscombe made an exclamation of impatience and then he said,

“Very well, I can see there might be some truth in the supposition, but that is not the reason for my journey, which is merely to make contact with the Princes, to find out if they need British assistance in running their States and to assure them that their loyalty, if they give it to the British Raj, will be rewarded.”

She felt that meagre though the information was, he resented having to give it to her.

She could not help there being just a faint note of triumph in her voice when she replied,

“Thank you so much for telling me. It makes it all the more interesting to know why we are doing something. It would also be more exciting if only I knew where.”

Just for a moment she thought that Lord Branscombe might rage at her, but then he said in an amused tone,

“All women are like mosquitoes! Irritating, persistent! Very well, I will tell you where we are going, although I am quite certain that the information will tell you nothing and you will find little mention of such places in your guide books.”

“I hardly think I shall want one,” Latonia said.

“Why should you say that?” he asked, which was what she had intended.

“Because the best guide and, of course, the best one to give me information, would be you,” she replied.

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