Music of the Soul of Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

For the rest of the afternoon Carina was occupied working out a little song for the evening’s performance. So she did not see the party return to the castle and was spared the sight of the Duke and his young lady.

But she did not escape entirely. Going quietly down to the music room, she stopped on the staircase just as the guests appeared in the hall below, ready to go into the dining room.

They were all in evening dress, the men in tails, the women in gorgeous silks and satins. Carina stepped back into the shadows, horribly conscious of her unfashionable dress.

The elderly housekeeper was coming down the stairs just behind her.

“Can I help you miss?” she asked kindly.

“Oh no, I was just looking – ”

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” the old woman said with a sentimental sigh. “Especially Lady Virginia.”

“Is she the one in the pink dress, holding the Duke’s arm?” Carina asked her.

“That’s right, miss. Lady Virginia Chesterham. Her father is the Earl of Chesterham. They live only a few miles from here. Such a lovely young lady. I am really looking forward to the day when she is the mistress here.”

Something lurched in Carina’s breast and she clung to the balustrade for support.

“You mean – that she and the Duke are betrothed?” she managed to say.

“Oh no, nothing has been announced, but we’re all sure that it’s just a matter of time.”

At that moment the Duke looked up. Carina started back against the wall, hoping that he hadn’t seen her.

“I must go,” she murmured.

“Yes, miss. They’re going in to dinner now, and from now on the servants are going to be busier than ever.”

Carina sped back upstairs. There was no chance now to practise her song, It was too risk.

Bertie met her in the corridor.

“It’ll soon be time to get dressed for the performance,” he said. “Why, Lady Iris, what is it? You are looking so pale. Are you ill?”

“No, don’t worry Bertie. I’m not going to get sick and leave you in the lurch.”

“I wasn’t thinking of that,” he said gently. “I was worried about you. You look as though you’re about to faint.”

“Well, I am not,” she said, pulling herself together. “I’ve got a lovely new song for tonight, and I am going to give a performance that will make you proud of me.”

“I have no doubt that I will be proud of you. I only wish you were coming further with us. I have just received a telegram.”

He produced a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it at her.

“An engagement,” he said. “Potentially, at any rate.”

“That’s wonderful. Another great house?”

“No, in London, at a little supper club that’s just opened. They’ve heard of us and want us to go straight there and show them what we can do. If they like it, it will mean leaving tonight and going to collect Melanie. I dare say you’ll be glad to get back, eh?”

“Oh – yes,” she replied, dismayed.

To leave tonight, so suddenly. She had counted on just a little longer.

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