They Sought love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland [Cartland, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781905155668
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com
Published: 2000-09-01T15:58:56+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

At last Celina heard a footstep in Robin’s room next door. She held her breath.

How long now? A few minutes to undress, then he would come to her in his dressing gown. And then – Her heartbeat quickened.

But it was only a few seconds later that she heard a sound from the door. She watched as the handle turned, very slowly and quietly. The door swung open and there he was on the threshold.

He was still fully dressed and he stood there, regarding her in her glorious lacy nightwear. She turned so that he could see her better, but no pleasure came into his eyes.

In fact, something about him made her wonder if he was slightly the worse for wear.

“You are still awake?” he asked coolly.

“But of course I am. I have been waiting for you.”

“Like a devoted wife,” he observed ironically and it was almost a sneer.

She flinched at the sound, but tried to reply calmly, “That is what I intend to be.”

He began to laugh, not in a friendly way, but like a man enjoying a bitter joke.

“I am sure your intentions are of the best, my dear.”

“I don’t – quite know what you mean by that.”

“Don’t you? I would have thought you probably did, but we will leave it for the moment.”

He advanced further into the room and she became even more certain that he had taken a little too much to drink.

Her heart sank.

“Did your wedding live up to your expectations, madam?” he enquired sardonically.

“My wedding? Surely it was our wedding?”

“Was it? I must admit that I had a slightly uninvolved feeling, as though I was only there as the sacrifice being led to the slaughter.”

“What a strange thing to say.”

“The point about the sacrifice is that nobody tells the poor fool anything. They dress him up, lead him to the altar and just when he thinks he is the centre of a big celebration, he finds himself facing the High Priestesses sharpening their knives. It is certainly an interesting feeling.”

“And just who do you think are the High Priestesses?” she asked, beginning to become angry in her turn.

He shrugged.

“I think we both know who they are.”

“Both?” she repeated, horrified. “Are you suggesting that I connived to force you into this marriage?”

“Let’s not be squeamish about it. The trick worked. I did not find out until it was too late, did I? I congratulate you.”

“How dare you!” she screamed. “How dare you suggest that I plotted all this!”

He came to stand directly in front of her, regarding her with a bitterness that made her heart thump with dread.

“My mother isn’t dying at all, is she?”

“I – ”

“Is she?”

“How do you expect me to know?” she cried. How cold his eyes were! As cold as hate as he said, “If you do not give me a straight answer – ”

“All right, she is not dying. She told me that today.”

“Oh, I think she told you a lot earlier than that.”

“I swear that she did not –

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