A Flight To Heaven by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

should you be so upset? I thought you might find it amusing,” he carried on.
    His voice was very soft, but the expression in his eyes was cold as he watched Chiara.
    “I did not,” she said, the words coming out more sharply than she intended and then to her great relief, he moved back from her a little.
    “My sincere apologies,” he said. “I did not mean to cause offence. It was just a little fun.”
    “Chiara, darling!” Lady Fairfax called across the drawing room. She was now sitting on the sofa with Lord Darley. “Will you ring for the card table to be brought in? We should like to play.”
    “Of course, Mama.”
    Now everybody was looking at her and she found it easier to stand up and edge past Mervyn Hunter.
    He would not try to touch her or push her back into her chair in full view of everybody.
    She went over to the marble fireplace and tugged on the long velvet bell-pull that hung there,
    And then, instead of returning to her chair, she went to stand by the sofa, where her Mama was sitting with Lord Darley.
    Two parlourmaids came hurrying in and put up the little green baize card table in the middle of the room.
    “Will you play with us too, Chiara?” Lord Darley looked up at her.
    His eyes were bright with enthusiasm and Chiara thought, as she had when she first saw him in the stable yard, that he seemed a very cheerful person.
    “I would love to,” she answered, breathing a sigh of relief.
    “No, no!” Lord Duckett ambled over, his kindly red face wreathed in white whiskers. “The young lady is just becoming acquainted with Mr. Hunter and we should not interrupt their tête-à-tête !”
    One of the parlourmaids pulled up a chair to the card table and Lord Duckett sat down heavily upon it and planted his gnarled hands on the green baize.
    “Come along, Maud!” he called in a loud voice to his wife. “Rouse yourself, my dear. You are needed for whist.”
    Lady Duckett gave a little jump and sat up straight. Then she rose unsteadily and came to join her husband.
    Mervyn Hunter made his way to Chiara’s side, a smile on his thin lips.
    “Saved!” he murmured to her and then, moving his lips close to her ear, he added, “I cannot think of anything more tedious on a lovely spring afternoon than to be stuck at a card table.”
    To her horror, she felt him take hold of her hand and press it with his.
    Lord Darley was now leading her Mama to the card table and, as soon as they sat down, Lord Duckett began to deal the cards.
    “Oh, what luck!” Mervyn Hunter murmured. “The sofa has become vacant. Let’s take full advantage of its comfort and seclusion.”
    Chiara pulled her hand out of his and shook her head.
    “What’s wrong now?” he asked. “I cannot believe that you would rather watch a game of cards than enjoy a peaceful conversation with a gentleman who admires you as much as I do – ”
    Before Chiara could reply, her Mama turned to her and asked,
    “Are you all right, my dear? You look very pale.”
    “I am not feeling very well,” Chiara replied.
    She was about to ask if she might go to her room, but Mervyn Hunter, still close beside her, interrupted.
    “Fresh air, I think, is called for,” he said. “May I have the pleasure of escorting you for a short walk on the terrace, Lady Chiara?”
    “Mr. Hunter, what a kind thought!” Lady Fairfax nodded her approval. “By all means, go out, both of you, and enjoy the sunshine. Chiara’s spirits will soon revive.”
    “No – I – really don’t want to,” Chiara stammered.
    “A walk will do you good, darling. You love to be out of doors.” Lady Fairfax said, looking a little surprised.
    Mervyn Hunter held out his arm and Chiara had no choice but to place her hand on it and follow him out of Rensham Hall and onto the terrace that ran along the front of the house.
    “Well!” he exclaimed, as he tucked Chiara’s hand under his arm, trapping it there with his elbow. “This is very nice, isn’t it? Just the two of us,