The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

examined the faded silk curtains at the windows. Once a rich red they had been bleached pink by the years of sunshine. They were threadbare in places, as was the Turkish rug beneath his feet.
    â€œI’ve aired the bed, my Lord, and I trust it will be comfortable for you.”
    It occurred to the Viscount that it might be damp. He moved over to it and threw back the red paisley quilt and examined the sheets for signs of mould.
    â€œAll appears as it should be, Cork,” he said with relief.
    â€œDinner will be served at eight, my Lord. I hope that suits you?”
    â€œIt does, thank you.”
    â€œWe have some fine local lamb and vegetables from the garden for tonight’s meal. It is overgrown, but we manage to get by on what remains to be cropped. It used to be a beautiful place when Madame was alive, but it has become overgrown and neglected since she passed away.”
    â€œI intend to breathe new life into every part of this building,” the Viscount announced looking up at the ceiling with its obvious signs of damp.
    A large crack ran along the width of the room and the wooden chandelier contained burned-down stumps of candles.
    â€œThat is good news, indeed, my Lord. Now, when you are ready, shall I send Hoskin up to attend to you?”
    â€œI would like that very much, thank you.”
    â€œWhen would you like to view the house, my Lord? Either myself or Mrs. Cork will show you around.”
    â€œI think before dinner. Then I will look around again in the morning.”
    â€œYou are a draughtsman, are you, my Lord? We saw the drawing board being carried in and thought you might be an artist until we saw the size of it.”
    â€œI am an architect, or at least, I was. I intend to make this house magnificent again for all of Society to flock to.”
    â€œMadame would have liked that,” smiled Cork enigmatically.
    He bowed and left the room. The Viscount’s luggage was brought in and left for Hoskin to unpack.
    As soon as he had finished, he drew the Viscount a bath with hot water in cans brought up by the maids who had arrived ahead of them.
    â€œI hope your Lordship does not mind having to bathe in such an ancient vessel,” remarked Hoskin, as the last of the hot water was poured into the huge enamel bath.
    â€œI shall install modern bathrooms with running water as soon as possible. I shall investigate installing both heating and hot water. Tomorrow, I shall invite the builders to call. Have you a list of the local tradesmen for me as I requested?”
    â€œOh, yes, my Lord. Cork has been most helpful. He says that now word is out that you are to remodel the house, there will be no stopping them from calling on the off-chance of work.”
    â€œThat is indeed good news.”
    The Viscount eased his body into the hot water and as he soaped his aching muscles his thick hair fell forward and soon became damp with suds.
    Stretching out his long arms, he lay back in the water and closed his eyes.
    â€˜Already I can see what this house could be,’ he told himself, ‘and it shall rise from the ashes.’
    Much later, after a delicious dinner, he retired early intending to sleep, but found it impossible.
    He tossed and turned in the bed, which, although comfortable, was a strange one nevertheless. He resolved to bring his own bed from London, as he did not fancy sleeping on a mattress that had once borne his grandfather and his mistress.
    As the house grew quiet, the room became chilly and he found himself still wide awake. Eventually, he climbed out of bed and put on his warm dressing gown.
    Pacing the room, he became enthused with thoughts of how he might plan the house. He picked up his sketch book in which he had made a few drawings and looked at them again with the benefit of having now seen the house for himself.
    â€˜The orangery will not work there,’ he muttered, striking it out on the sketch. ‘And it might yet be possible to add