Love Became Theirs by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

father and daughter, for all their affection, had very little notion of what to say to each other. Skilfully she drew him out to talk about France, and prompted Alice into asking him questions. This was not hard as the girl was now in a fever of anticipation.
    The Earl and his daughter were soon chattering happily together, and Rona regarded them with satisfaction.
    "Papa, Miss Johnson says I will need lots of new dresses, and she will help me choose them."
    "Indeed? And who will help me pay for them? Don't look like that, my darling, I'm only joking."
    The conversation took a different turn. Alice began talking about her mother, sounding a little wistful.
    "We were so happy then, weren't we, Papa?"
    The Earl nodded.
    "And sometimes Uncle Peter would come and stay with us. Oh, Miss Johnson, is something the matter?"
    "No," she said quickly. "I simply dropped my spoon into the bowl. Go on with what you were saying."
    "Uncle Peter is Mama's brother, and he's wonderful. I wish we saw him more often."
    "He visits us when he can," her father said. "But you know him – here, there and everywhere."
    "You said you were going to bar him from the house," Alice said.
    "I did not," said the Earl, sounding harassed. "In a moment of exasperation I said I ought to bar him from the house. But I've never done so."
    To Rona he added,
    "While Alice is so fond of that reprobate, I could never bar him."
    "But why is he a reprobate, sir?" Rona asked, amused.
    "Oh, he lives a rather wild, undisciplined life," said the Earl vaguely.
    "Lots of ladies," Alice confided gravely.
    "Alice!" exclaimed the Earl, scandalised.
    "But Papa, it's no secret. Last time Uncle Peter was staying with us, this terribly angry man came to the door. I could hear the row from upstairs – "
    "You didn't hear anything," said her father, moved to firmness at last. "Miss Johnson I beg you not to think too badly of us. My brother-in-law is a notorious flirt, but that's the worst you can say of him. Now Alice, that's enough. You should go to bed early, because if you oversleep tomorrow I shall leave you behind."
    " Papa! " Alice squealed.
    "Goodnight, my Lord," said Rona, laughing.
    When he was alone the Earl went to sit in his library with a brandy, and think over the events of the day, and in particular to think about Miss Johnson.
    'One of the most extraordinary young women I've ever met,' he mused, with a smile on his broad, kindly face. 'She certainly swept through this place like a whirlwind. Ah well, it's time I was going to bed too, otherwise I'll set a poor example tomorrow morning.'
    As he rose from his seat, he heard the sound of the front door bell.
    'Who can that be at this time of night?' he wondered.
    He heard the door being opened, Benson giving a pleased exclamation, then the sound of a familiar voice. The Earl grinned. The next moment he was in the hall, advancing on the tall young man, his hand outstretched.
    "Peter! By all that's wonderful! Come in my boy!"
    The young man grinned back and embraced the Earl heartily.
    "Giles! You thought you'd got rid of me, didn't you?" he cried. "But, like a bad penny, I always turn up."
    "Thank goodness for that!" the Earl said sincerely, for despite his strictures he was fond of his late wife's infamous brother.
    "Benson, bring some more brandy to the library," the Earl called. "And tell the housekeeper to make up Mr. Carlton's usual room."
    When the two men were settled in deep leather armchairs, the Earl surveyed his young brother-in-law with satisfaction.
    "Talk of the devil," he said. "We were discussing you over dinner tonight?"
    "We?"
    "Alice was telling her new governess all about you. Including 'ladies'."
    "Alice doesn't know all about me and ladies," said Peter in alarm. "At least, I hope she doesn't. Anyway, I'm a reformed character."
    "Again?" the Earl enquired.
    They both laughed.
    Peter leaned back against the leather, closing his eyes, and the Earl thought that nobody could blame the women who sighed for