101. A Call of Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

Lord Kenington close behind him.
    As the Steward turned the key in the lock, he heard a man’s voice and, pushing the Steward onto one side, he opened the door.
    He saw Aisha struggling against Arthur Watkins, whose left hand over her mouth was preventing her from screaming again.
    It only took two steps for him to reach Aisha.
    Pushing her on one side, he struck Watkins a blow on the chin that lifted him off the ground and he fell back onto the floor.
    He started to splutter in anger, but before he could say any more than a word, Lord Kenington dragged him to his feet.
    He pulled him across the cabin, past the Steward, and struck him again so hard that he crashed down on the floor outside.
    For a moment he was almost unconscious and then Lord Kenington turned to the gaping Steward and said,
    “Take that swine away and, if I catch him in here again, I will myself throw him overboard. Make that clear to him.”
    Somewhat nervously the Steward replied,
    “Yes, my Lord.”
    Lord Kenington took one look at Watkins, who was striving to sit up with blood pouring down his chin.
    Then he went into Aisha’s cabin and shut the door behind him.
    She was standing with her hands clasped together wearing only her silk petticoat and, as Lord Kenington reached her, she said in a voice that did not sound like her own,
    “You came – you saved me. I was so – terrified.”
    “I am sure you were, Aisha, and I promise you that it will not happen again. It’s a disgrace to the ship and to the P & O Company that any man should behave in such a manner.”
    “But you saved me and, as I could not scream, I thought there was no chance of you – knowing what was – happening.”
    The words seemed to come jerkily from between her lips.
    “It has been a nasty shock,” Lord Kenington said. “Sit down on the bed for a moment while I bring you something to drink and then you must go to bed and forget it.”
    “You don’t think – he will come again?” “I am certain he will not again attempt anything so stupid tonight or any other night.” “You were – wonderful – my Lord,” Aisha faltered.
    “Fortunately I learnt to box at University,” Lord Kenington added, “and it has stood me in very good stead tonight, as it has done on several other occasions.”
    As he was talking, he was pouring out some water from the bottle by her bed and now he handed it to her.
    She had sat down on the small stool in front of the dressing table and, as she took the water, he realised that her hand was trembling.
    “Hold it with both hands” he advised.
    She did as she was told and, after she had drunk a little, the colour seemed to come back into her cheeks.
    He thought, as he looked at her, how attractive she was with her bare shoulders and the silk petticoat showing every curve of her body.
    “Now go to bed, Aisha. If you want me, knock on the wall and I will come to you at once. But I can promise you that you will not be interrupted by Mr. Watkins again tonight. If doubt if you will see him tomorrow either and I think, if nothing else, he probably lost a tooth or two in the last blow I gave him.”
    Lord Kenington spoke with an inner satisfaction, as he had been taught that particular punch to end a fight.
    “I am sure I will be fine now,” Aisha was saying, “and thank you again for being so very kind to me.”
    “I can promise you one thing,” Lord Kenington said as he moved to the door, “that you can sleep peacefully. But I suggest you lock your door when I have left so that no one else can get in.”
    “I cannot imagine how he was able to come into my cabin before I came to bed,” Aisha sighed.
    “Forget him. I have disposed of him and I promise you that you are absolutely safe tonight and I will see that the same can be said every night on this voyage.”
    He smiled at her before he added,
    “I will search your cabin myself, though I think Mr. Watkins will be laid up for a few days. That will give us time to make sure that