They Touched Heaven by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-78213-181-6
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com
Published: 2012-12-10T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Sir Thomas did not come to the theatre the next evening. Instead he sent a note of apology along with an orchid in a box. “No beau this evening? quizzed Sophia. “He has been detained at a meeting in the City.”

“He must be very clever.” “Yes, he is.”

“And he has quite an eye for you! He does know that you’re from a fine family, doesn’t he?”

“I have told him just a little of my circumstances.”

“So, there’s no obstacle should he propose!”

“Only that I don’t want to marry him – ”

Sophia looked at their reflection in the mirror to see that Temia was blushing. “It’s his friend, isn’t it – the one who rarely speaks? I’ve seen his eyes on you and yours on his. Oh, to have two men in love with me like that!”

Temia moved quickly away, horrified that she had shown her feelings so transparently.

She did not pass comment on what Sophia had said, but then could it be true? Dare she hope that the Earl could have feelings for her?

She busied herself with the make-up box and soon, Sophia was rushing off to go on stage.

As soon as the dressing room had cleared, she sat down and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

‘Do I love him?’ she questioned herself. Almost as soon as she allowed herself that thought, there came a soft knocking on the door. Believing it to be the boy who had been helping her, she opened it without looking to see who was there.

With her back to the door, she called out, “If you’ve finished clearing up, Albert, can you go and tell Mr. Baker I’ll be finished tomorrow afternoon?” “Much as I would love to clear up for you, Temia, I don’t think I am suitably attired!” came a deep rich voice.

Temia whirled round, and gasped in shock as she saw that it was not Albert, but the Earl of Wentworth.

“Oh, please forgive me, my Lord – I thought it was Albert, my assistant.”

The Earl laughed and Temia was struck at how a smile transformed his face. He was handsome anyway, but smiling, he was stunningly so.

Her heart beat alarmingly fast and she felt herself short of breath as she looked at him. He had taken off his hat and was now perched upon one of the long benches that served as a dressing table.

“Thomas has been detained,” he started, “and so, I thought you may care to join me for dinner this evening.”

Temia hesitated. Her heart was saying yes, but her head was saying something different. Although there was no formal arrangement that she was Sir Thomas’s sweetheart, she felt a degree of loyalty towards him. “I – am – busy,” she stuttered, after a long silence.

It hurt to refuse him, but this was Sir Thomas’s best friend.

“Of course, you are loyal to Thomas. Very well, I shall not trouble you further this evening, but will see you another time with him.”

Underneath the politeness, Temia could sense his hurt, as if she herself had been pierced by a spear.

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