An Introduction to the Pink Collection by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

think too,” she said, delighted to find a kindred spirit. “And yet – oh, goodness, if you could have heard the things I said to them.”
    â€œI wish I had. I’m sure it would have been very entertaining.”
    â€œOh no, I’m sure that’s wrong,” she said, conscience stricken. “How can a fight be entertaining?”
    â€œVery easily if you have righteousness on your side. Nothing like a good fight. Engage the enemy and turn your ten-pounders on him.”
    â€œTen-pounders?”
    â€œGuns.”
    â€œThey said – ” her voice began to shake from another reason, “they said they’d tell the constable that Clara was parish property, and I said – ” mirth was overcoming her, “I said – ”
    â€œDon’t stop there,” he begged. “I can’t stand it.”
    â€œI said he would take my side because – he’d met this chicken before.”
    His crack of laughter hit the ceiling. Rena gave up the struggle not to yield to her amusement, and the two of them sat there, holding onto each other and rocking back and forth.
    â€œThat’s not a ten-pounder, that’s a twelve-pounder,” he gasped at last. “It must have blown them out of the water. I shall always regret that I wasn’t there.
    â€œI ought to have been, of course. I should have walked back to the vicarage with you, and then I would have been there to help. When I think of you struggling back here – and what do you mean by creeping in by stealth?”
    â€œI thought you would still be at the tavern, and the house would be empty.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t stay long. I began to feel rather uncomfortable.”
    â€œYou mean you felt unwelcome?”
    â€œOn the contrary, they welcomed me with open arms. They’ve decided that my arrival means the good times have come again, that I’ll be wanting to restore the house and the gardens and that will provide work for them. I now know the names of every artisan and gardener in the district.
    â€œHow could I tell them that I have no money to fulfil their dreams? And my dream too if the truth be told.”
    â€œIs it really your dream too?” she asked excitedly.
    â€œYes. In the short time I’ve been here I’ve fallen in love with this place. I’d like to do all the things they want, and live in a house that’s as lovely as it ought to be. But not only for my sake. For theirs too.”
    He gave an awkward laugh. “I’ve really been thinking only of myself since I inherited the Earldom. I never thought of how it might affect other people, or how they might hope it would affect them. But tonight I was confronted by the reality of other people’s lives, and it made me stop and think.”
    He looked at her ruefully. “Thinking isn’t something I’ve done a lot of in my life. I’ve done my duty as a sailor, but for the rest I’ve been heedless, and content to be so. But now – ” he sighed. “Their need is so desperate and frightening. It made me feel I should do something about it. And yet – what can I do? Except pray that we find more coins, and they turn out to be worth a lot.”
    â€œYes,” she said. “We’ll pray.”
    â€œSo, I escaped, because I wouldn’t give them false promises. I came home and started writing letters, until I heard this crash from downstairs.”
    â€œThat was the chair.”
    â€œAnd why were you going to sleep on the sofa? Do we lack spare bedrooms?”
    â€œI thought I’d find one tomorrow, in the light.”
    â€œYou can’t stay down here tonight.”
    â€œYes I can. And I’m going to.”
    â€œRena, be sensible.”
    â€œI am being sensible. Besides, I want to stay with Clara, and I can’t very easily take her upstairs.”
    â€œTalking of Clara, she’s busily pecking my boots. No doubt she thinks she