Fragrant Flower by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

arranging her dark hair.
    Usually she coiled it into a thick chignon and pinned it at the back of her small head. Tonight she made it look a little more fashionable, but she was aware that to arrange it in curls such as her cousins wore would cause her aunt to make some very sarcastic comments.
    When she was ready she glanced at herself in the mirror and thought with a little smile that, while she might not look very attractive, she certainly did not have the appearance of a cultured housemaid or someone who was giving a hand to help out an overburdened staff. She wondered if there would be a look of surprise in Lord Sheldon’s eyes.
    It was difficult to forget how penetratingly he had looked at her when he had questioned her as to why she was eavesdropping on the conversation he had had with his friend.
    “How dare he be suspicious of me!” Azalea exclaimed aloud.
    She tried to tell herself that she hated him violently to the point where she would be glad to learn he was injured or even swept overboard to drown.
    Then she could only remember the strange, demanding warmth of his lips, and hastily turned towards the door. There was her aunt’s gown to fasten, the twins to be buttoned into their dresses, and ribbons to be threaded through their hair before the party was ready to descend to the Dining Saloon.
    Lady Osmund went ahead, her train, be-frilled and ruched, rustling out behind her like the waves in the wake of a ship. The twins followed, walking hand in hand as they usually did, and giggling a little at nothing in particular. Azalea brought up the rear.
    The First Class Dining Saloon was very impressive. The passengers sat in armchairs at the various tables, which were covered with heavy white linen cloths, and there seemed to be a whole army of stewards in white coats in attendance.
    There were pot plants in the corners of the Saloon. At the Captain’s table, where Lady Osmund and her party were naturally to sit, there was a table decoration of flowers and green leaves because it was the first night at sea.
    Lady Osmund sat to the right of the Captain’s place, although that night he was not present because, as was traditional, he was on the bridge navigating the ship safely out to sea.
    The twins sat next to their mother, and Azalea next to the twins. That left a place on her right which, when they entered the Dining Saloon, was vacant.
    There were about ten other places at the Captain’s table, most of them occupied by people to whom Lady Osmund had either already been introduced or had known before she came aboard.
    The gentlemen stood up while she seated herself and the ladies bowed and smiled.
    A General was always of importance, especially one who had been knighted, and Hong Kong was an important harbour from the point of view of the British Empire.
    Those who smiled ingratiatingly at Lady Osmund were wondering how useful it would be in the future to know the G.O.C. commanding a Port of Call, and Hong Kong was undoubtedly a stepping stone to a most important position.
    A steward hurried forward with the menus, and without consulting either her daughters or Azalea, Lady Osmund ordered what they would eat. While she herself drank wine, the twins and Azalea were given water.
    The first course was just being served when Azalea was aware that a man had joined the party at their table and was seating himself beside her.
    She glanced up and then, with a sudden shock, felt her heart begin to beat unaccountably within her breast.
    It was Lord Sheldon who sat beside her and as she looked away from him hastily she felt that he must have seen the blush that rose almost painfully in her cheeks.
    But if she was embarrassed, Lord Sheldon was entirely at his ease.
    “Good evening, Miss Osmund!” he said. “I hope you are looking forward to the journey?”
    Then, as he asked the question, the steward presented him with the menu and he scanned it while he still seemed to be waiting for Azalea’s reply.
    For a moment it