Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

attentions to finding a husband. I cannot devote so much time to you and it is only right that you seek someone while you are at the height of your attractiveness.”
    â€œBut Papa, I have only just returned from France. I have barely unpacked and I want to stay here with you as long as possible.”
    He picked up his pen once more to signal that her audience with him was at an end.
    â€œDon’t be silly, you must consider marriage as soon as we find you a likely suitor. Laura is already scouring the best of London Society for suitable candidates and I trust you will be compliant with her wishes. I have no desire to be harbouring an old maid in my household!”
    Robina felt shocked to her very core. She threw her hands up to her face and tried to compose herself.
    â€˜How could he! Just how could he!’ she thought, as tears began to slowly run down her face.
    Her father seemed oblivious to her distress. He was once more absorbed in his correspondence.
    Turning away she left the library, crying silently.
    She wanted to go to her room, but as she ascended the stairs, she noticed two footmen carrying her belongings up to the next floor.
    She was about to turn around and go back into the garden when she saw Nanny coming along the corridor.
    â€œNanny,” she cried out loud.
    â€œWhat is it, Robina dearest?” she answered.
    â€œOh, Nanny. Papa does not love me any more!”
    â€œShhh, not in front of the staff,” she counselled and led her into the morning room that was also on that floor.
    Once inside Nanny closed the door and sat next to Robina on the blue silk chaise.
    â€œOh, Nanny! Whatever can I do? Papa is intent on marrying me off against my wishes. Firstly my stepmother makes it plain she does not want me here and now, Papa. I don’t want to marry anyone, yet I feel as if I will be sent up the aisle at the very first opportunity. If and when I marry, I wish to marry for love and not for convenience.”
    Nanny patted her hand and helped wipe her eyes as Robina cried profusely.
    â€œMy dear, I don’t know what to say to you. If your father wishes that you should marry, then that is his right.”
    â€œBut it is not my desire!”
    Nanny paused and then rose and left the room.
    When she returned she pressed an old photograph into Robina’s hand.
    Tearfully, she looked at it – it was of her mother.
    She stroked the image of the lovely young face with the wistful eyes.
    â€œMama would know what I should do now,” she whispered. “If she was here, she would persuade Papa not to marry me off. They married only for love and I cannot understand why he will not allow me the same privilege.”
    Nanny touched her and again left the room.
    Robina wept copious tears, stroking the photograph and raising her eyes to Heaven.
    â€˜If you can hear me, Mama, up in Heaven, then I implore you – help me! Look down on me and take pity!’
    She stayed there for ages talking to her mother and hoping, praying for an answer or divine intervention.
    Marriage to a man she did not love!
    Robina felt she would surely die if she was forced to do so against her will.
    â€˜I will not allow it to happen to me,’ she resolved, looking up to Heaven. ‘Oh, Mama! Help me. Oh, how I need your love and advice.’

CHAPTER FOUR
    The next day Robina visited the florist to order the flowers for her mother’s grave.
    â€œCan it really be a year ago?” asked Mrs. Bentall, the lady who owned the shop. “It does not seem possible, and such a young woman. You must miss her terribly.”
    â€œYes, I do. I am often frightened that I will forget Mama. There are times when I cannot recall what her eyes were like or her smile.”
    The woman nodded her head sadly.
    â€œWhen I lost my own husband a few years ago, I experienced the self-same thing. But you do not forget – God gives us the strength to get through.”
    Robina felt somewhat