Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

half.”
    â€œVery good, my Lord.”
    The Marquis stepped out of his chaise and walked up the steps into the marble hall with enormous palm trees in each corner.
    Several guests were enjoying early tea and because he knew the way, he walked past them.
    Instead of taking the lift he decided to walk up the stairs. He knew the hotel well and was a frequent visitor.
    None of the servants in attendance bothered to ask him what he wanted or who he wished to visit.
    He was, however, surprised that the Contessa was on the second floor.
    He supposed the hotel was pretty full, because it was the beginning of the Season and a large number of visitors at this time of year came from overseas.
    Room number 200 was easy to find halfway down a side corridor.
    The Marquis was not in the least fazed to find the door of the sitting room unlocked.
    When he turned the handle the door opened and he entered to find the room was just a mass of flowers. The fragrance of them, together with an exotic French perfume, filled the air.
    There was no one in the room, but the door was ajar at the far end, which he assumed led into the bedroom.
    The Marquis put his hat down on the nearest chair and walked towards it.
    He pushed the door open to find the curtains drawn and only a dim light on one side of the large four-poster bed.
    There were more flowers everywhere, just as there had been in the sitting room, and their fragrance was even more overpowering.
    There, lying on the bed, he could just make out the shadowy outline of the Contessa.
    She was naked with the exception of three rows of black pearls around her neck.
    For a moment she did not move and as the Marquis stood staring at her, she threw her long white arms towards him.
    He walked nearer to the bed.
    Then, with his eyes twinkling and a slightly cynical smile on his lips, he remarked,
    â€œI think, Inez, you are rather overdressed!”
    Bending down he undid the pearls around her neck.
    *
    It was over an hour later that the Marquis arranged his tie in front of the mirror.
    â€œMust you, my marvellous lover, leave so soon?” the Contessa crooned at him in her soft seductive voice.
    â€œWe shall meet tonight,” he replied. “As you well know the Duke of Sutherland is holding a large party here and I must go home to change.”
    â€œWhen shall I be with you again?” she implored, turning from the mirror.
    â€œThat is now in the hands of the Gods.”
    The Marquis picked up his coat, which was lying on the chair.
    As he was fastening it, the bedroom door burst open and a woman rushed in.
    â€œSeñora, Señora,” she cried, “the Señor himself is on his way upstairs!”
    The Contessa gave a scream of horror.
    The Marquis without speaking, rushed into the sitting room, seized his hat and pulled open the door into the corridor.
    Even as he passed through it he thought he saw a figure approaching from the far end of the corridor and he turned in the other direction.
    He moved very quickly, but at the same time he was aware it would be impossible for the Conté not to notice him.
    The corridor was a long one and the Marquis was wondering what he would do when he reached the end.
    Then he realised it turned and just ahead of him at the first door he could see, there was a young woman about to enter her room.
    He pushed her forward and closed the door quickly behind them both.
    Then as she made a small sound of fear and turned to look at him nervously, he said,
    â€œPlease do not be scared, I am the Marquis of Rakecliffe and I desperately need your help. Please will you agree to anything I say? It is a question of life or death. ”
    As Lanthia stared at him in sheer astonishment, the door behind them opened.

CHAPTER THREE
    The Conté burst headlong into the room and faced the Marquis who was standing beside Lanthia.
    â€œI saw you coming out of my wife’s room!” he roared. “How dare you go in there? You have insulted me