Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

back to her stepmother, so the less she knew, the better.
    Suddenly the future did not seem so bleak.
    She would see the Earl and, if he should accept her offer, it would give her something to concentrate on.
    â€˜And maybe Papa will forget this nonsense about marrying me off. If he can see me visiting the Earl on a regular basis, perhaps I can use him as a smokescreen.’
    A new plan was forming in her mind.
    Surely her mother had come to her aid in giving her inspiration?
    Feeling so much brighter, Robina went off to the stables to spend time with the horses.
    â€˜Yes, that is it,’ she decided. ‘I shall let Papa and Stepmama think that there is something between me and the Earl and then, perhaps, they will leave me alone!’
    By the time she reached the stables, Robina felt triumphant.
    *
    The next morning, Robina went down to breakfast to find a reply from the Earl waiting for her.
    â€œ My dear Miss Melville ,” he wrote,
    â€œ I would be very delighted to greet you today and although workmen are on site at present, I would indeed welcome the distraction and your wise counsel on points of decoration.
    Warm regards, Robert Hampton .”
    â€œWho is that from?” asked Laura, as she entered the room to see Robina engrossed in the letter.
    â€œIt is from Lord Hampton, asking me to pay him a visit this morning.”
    â€œI trust you will be home for dinner tonight,” she responded tetchily, “we have an important guest.”
    There was something in her tone that suggested that there was more to it than just a simple dinner.
    â€œOf course I shall,” replied Robina, folding up the Earl’s letter.
    â€œGood,” retorted Laura, “I have invited Lord Drury to join us and I want you to be extremely nice to him. He is a rich and powerful man whose wife has died recently, so he is looking for a new one. I think you will do him very well and I want you to look your prettiest.”
    Robina stared at her across the table.
    â€œYou mean me to encourage this man?”
    â€œYes, I do.”
    â€œAnd if I should not care for the gentleman?”
    â€œIt matters not whether you care for him or not – I am more concerned what he will think of you. Lord Drury would be such an ideal proposition for you and you would not want for anything.”
    Aghast Robina looked at her father for reassurance, but he would not meet her gaze.
    â€˜So I am to be sold off like a prize heifer!’ she thought, as she tried not to cry. ‘Well, I cannot refuse to meet him, but I can refuse to marry him.’
    Robina remained silent for the rest of the meal.
    She felt that her best course of action was to appear to agree while silently rebelling. Besides, if the gentleman proved to be interesting and kind, then perhaps she could take him into her confidence and he would not press her to marry him against her will.
    After breakfast she changed quickly into her riding habit and before long was on her way to the stables.
    â€œGood morning, Charles,” she called out brightly, as she watched him fasten Firefly’s bit and bridle.
    â€œMorning, miss. I think he’s ready for the off. I swear he knew last night, he was that restless.”
    Even as she rode off, Robina felt happier than she had done since she had returned home.
    The very concept of involving herself in the Earl’s renovations was exciting and it would certainly occupy her mind far better than dwelling on the appalling prospect of the evening’s dinner.
    Arriving at the Castle, Robina noticed that the place was a hive of activity. The builder’s cart was in evidence, as were numerous workmen.
    As she led Firefly round to the Earl’s vast stables, she passed by the Tower in time to see the Earl and another gentleman emerge from the base of it.
    â€œMiss Melville!” he cried, waving enthusiastically.
    He said something to the man next to him and then ran towards her.
    â€œGood