The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 978-1-908303-43-1
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER SIX

Luella and the Countess arrived at Paddington station late that night exhausted from their long and arduous journey.

They were surprised to find that the Viscount had arranged for them to be met by his large and gleaming phaeton.

“These cannot be the Viscount’s footmen,” whispered Luella, as she helped her aunt settle into the carriage. “Did he not say that only two servants remained in his London home? He must have hired them especially for the occasion.”

“He is, indeed, a generous man,” commented the Countess. “But that is hardly surprising considering he is a man in love – ”

“Aunt!”

Luella blushed to the roots of her hair and cast her eyes downwards as Aunt Edith continued,

“But I am right, am I not? He is in love with you.”

Luella looked down at her gloves and bit her bottom lip.

“He has asked me to marry him.”

“Then, why, my dear girl, did you not accept? I am assuming that you did not, otherwise he would have come to speak with me.”

“I cannot and you know the reasons why.”

“I know of one reason why you believe yourself not worthy of him and I hope the other was not me. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself and going back to Scotland on my own.”

“Aunt, I would not hear of it. But you are right about the other reason.”

“The shadow of Jean-Marie Bouillicault still casts a shadow over you even now, nearly a year later?”

The Countess shook her head and took Luella’s hand in hers.

“Luella, dearest, it was not your fault what happened.”

“But I was engaged to him after a whirlwind romance that would have caused a scandal as it was. And, worse still, I ran away with him only to find that he was already married to another! How foolish will David think me? In addition, he will view me as second-hand goods.”

“Darling, everyone knows that your virtue was never compromised by him. I would vouch for your purity. Besides, no one in England has heard of him and you were not named in the French newspapers, so what is there to worry about?”

“I think he will no longer love me if he discovers the truth,” she sighed.

“And do you love him?” asked her aunt. “I can see that something has been troubling you deeply and I have been wondering – ”

“Oh, yes,” replied Luella fervently. “It was only when we were on the train that I realised just how much. I did not expect it to be such a wrench to leave him. But, with each passing mile, I felt distressed to no longer be with him.”

“Then, do not hesitate, darling, seize your chance of happiness.”

“Excuse me, my Lady. We are here.”

The carriage had come to a halt and the footman was on the pavement, holding open the door.

Luella looked up at the elegant house with its walls of red London brick and black-framed windows.

An electric light burned in the hall of number 23, South Audley Street and Luella could see a butler waiting for them.

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