Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

glad you are now safe from him. But just suppose he tells everyone we are engaged?”
    â€œI think as a gentleman, albeit a Spanish one, he will stay silent, but it was the only way I could save myself from a most unpleasant duel. Moreover Her Majesty the Queen has very strictly forbidden duelling to take place.”
    Lanthia gave a sigh.
    Then as if she suddenly became aware she was still carrying a parcel, she put it down on a side table and laid the letter on top of it.
    â€œI was fortunate in being able to read your name on the letter,” admitted the Marquis. “I assume you really are Miss Lanthia Grenville.”
    Lanthia smiled.
    â€œYes, that is indeed my name and it was lucky the letter from my mother was waiting for me downstairs.”
    â€œI was just wondering what I should call you, for of course if the Conté had found the name I gave you was not true, it would have added to his suspicions which I regret to say are already rampant.”
    â€œSo you were visiting his wife?”
    â€œThe Contessa, who is a charming lady, invited me to take tea with her. It is well known that her husband is frantically jealous and I would have been wiser to refuse.”
    â€œBut do you think you are safe now?”
    The Marquis was silent for a moment and then he answered,
    â€œMy old Nanny always used to teach me that one lie leads to another and I am afraid I am still in a desperate position unless you continue to help me.”
    Lanthia looked at him wide-eyed.
    He now realised for the first time that she was very attractive. In fact she was extremely beautiful in her own way, just as the Contessa was beautiful in hers.
    The Marquis walked to the window and stood for a moment looking down onto Portland Place.
    There were many carriages moving on the road and it reminded him that his own horses were waiting.
    He was, however, turning over in his mind what he should say to Lanthia, who had just taken off her gloves and was now removing her hat.
    Just as she set it down, the sunshine streamed in through the window and turned her hair to gold.
    â€˜She is lovely, in fact more beautiful than any girl I have seen for a long time,’ the Marquis told himself.
    He turned towards her saying,
    â€œThe way you can help me, if you would be so kind as to continue to do so – and it is difficult for me to express my eternal gratitude – is to attend a dinner party with me here tonight.”
    â€œ A dinner party ?” repeated Lanthia.
    â€œIt is being given by a very close friend of mine, the Duke of Sutherland, and the Conté and the Contessa of Vallecas will be among the guests.”
    â€œYou mean,” said Lanthia slowly, “that the Conté will think it strange if you are there without me.”
    â€œHe will not only think it very strange indeed,” the Marquis replied, “but he will doubtless call me a liar again and challenge me to make reparation for what he considers to be an insult.”
    â€œThen what can you do?”
    â€œIt is actually, Miss Grenville, a matter of what you will do! I am asking you to take pity on me and attend this party, which I think you will find very enjoyable and allay the Conté’s suspicions at least until tomorrow.”
    He was hoping as he spoke that the Contessa would have the intelligence to deny that he had been with her.
    She had undoubtedly undertaken a number of love affairs when her husband was absent and she had thought that today she would be safe from discovery and so she could consequently deny all his accusations.
    At the same time the Marquis thought that if he was indeed engaged, it would be highly unlikely that he would attend the Sutherland party without his fiancée.
    Even if their engagement was a secret one it would still look suspicious to the Conté.
    He was a very dangerous man and the Marquis now realised that he needed to contrive somehow to convince him that he was speaking the truth.
    He