The Trail to Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-908411-91-4
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com

CHAPTER SIX

‘Why did I worry so that my cousin might pay too much attention to me?’ thought Elissa, as she sat down at table that evening in the dining room at Fellbrook Towers.

She watched closely as Lord Hartwell settled into the chair opposite her.

He seemed lost in another world, his handsome face as dark as a thundercloud.

Even Lady Hartwell’s beautiful new mauve gown, which gleamed exquisitely in the soft candlelight, attracted no comment from him.

“Dearest,” she began in a rather tentative voice, “I asked the butler to send up the very best champagne. Will you not try a little?”

Lord Hartwell roused himself and glared at the tiny bubbles drifting upwards in his glass.

“Such extravagance,” he growled.

Lady Hartwell looked shocked.

“But Falcon, I thought – you are here so rarely – ”

“In future,” he scowled, “I shall choose which wine is brought to table.”

“Of course, my dear, but the bottle has been opened for you, it will not keep.”

He picked up his glass and drained it in one gulp and then grabbed his fork and moved the food around on his plate, but he did not eat any.

After a few moments, Lady Hartwell tried again to engage him in conversation,

“What news of the horse you went to try last time you were here? Did you buy it, my dear?”

Lord Hartwell nodded, his eyes on his plate.

“And how does it run?”

“It doesn’t. Useless beast – they told me it was a perfect Pegasus and it would fly over every obstacle and beat all competition.”

He shoved his plate away so that it skidded along the polished surface of the table and held up his glass for the butler to replenish.

“Yes!” he shouted, as the champagne flowed from the bottle. “A toast to Black Prince – the most calamitous beast that ever stepped onto a Racecourse. Fell at the first fence, broke its neck and darned near broke the bank as well!”

“Oh, poor creature!” Elissa piped up before she could stop herself.

Her cousin glared at her, his black brows creased in a frown.

“I doubt it felt a thing. Save your pity for the poor ruined owner it left behind!”

“Oh, Falcon! Surely you did not make some foolish bet on this horse,” Lady Hartwell tried to admonish him.

“And what if I did? My fortune is mine to do with whatever I choose, what gentleman does not like to gamble a little? The horse was well-bred, it had good form. They told me it was a certain thing and I thought I would make back the vast sum I paid for it.”

“Oh, Falcon – ”

Lady Hartwell’s voice was trembling.

Her grandson stood up, his face red with anger.

“I have no appetite! Especially for your nagging, Grandmama.”

And then he strode out of the dining room.

Lady Hartwell sat still and dabbed at her eyes with her napkin.

“May I fetch you anything?” Elissa asked her.

“No, my dear. My peace of mind is shattered, there is nothing to help me. Oh, how do I wish these young men would not risk so much at the Racecourse!”

“Perhaps my cousin has learned his lesson.

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