Secret for a Nightingale by Victoria Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

shall soon be home.”
    I agreed a little sombrely.
    “It has been a wonderful voyage.”
    “For a particular reason,” he replied.
    I waited and he turned to me and, taking my hand, kissed it.
    “You,” he said.
    I laughed.
    “You have contributed to the enjoyment. My father is delighted that you are here and he can go to bed with a free conscience and leave me in good hands.”
    “So he thinks that of me, does he?”
    “You know he does.”
    “Susanna, I have been thinking. When we get to England … what?”
    “What? It is all planned. Father and I will go to an hotel and look immediately for a house. And you … you have your arrangements.”
    “We are not going to say ” Goodbye, it was nice to have known you” when we get to England, are we?”
    “I don’t know what will happen when we get to England.”
    “Doesn’t that rather depend on us?”
    “There is one theory which says that everything that happens depends on ourselves, while another believes in fate. What is to be, will be.”
    “I think we are masters of our fates. Will you marry me?”
    “Do you … mean that seriously?”
    “I am deadly serious.”
    “Aubrey …” I murmured.
    “You are not going to say, ” This is so sudden”, are you?”
    “No.”
    “Then you will?”
    “I think I will.”
    “You only think?”
    “Well, I have never had a proposal of marriage before, and I don’t quite know how to deal with it.”
    He burst out laughing and, turning to me, took me in his arms and kissed me.
     
    “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he said.
    “Have you been wanting me to?”
    “Yes, I think I have.”
    “You think! Don’t you know? You are so definite in your views on every other subject.”
    “I feel such a novice … at love.”
    “That is what I love about you. So young … so fresh … so innocent… so honest.” | “I would rather be more worldly like some of the wives .. ^ Mrs. Freeling, for instance.” ;
    For a moment he was silent. I thought he looked uncertain and was about to say something. He appeared to change his mind and I wondered if I had imagined it.
    “Those people are not really worldly, you know,” he said at length.
    “They are older than you and pose all the time as socialites. Don’t be like they are, for Heaven’s sake. Just be yourself, Susanna. That’s what I want.”
    He held my hand tightly and we looked out over the sea.
    “What a perfect night,” he said.
    “A calm sea, a gentle breeze and Susanna has promised to marry me.”
    When I told my father he was faintly disturbed.
    “You are very young,” he said.
    “I am eighteen. That’s a marriageable age.”
    “In some cases … yes. But you have come straight from school. You haven’t really met any people.”
    “I don’t have to. I know I love Aubrey.”
    “Well … I suppose it is all right. There is that place in Buckinghamshire which I presume will be his one day. He seems fairly solid.”
    “It’s no use trying to play the mercenary Papa because you don’t do it very well. You know that if I want it and I’m happy that will be all right with you.”
    “That’s about it,” he agreed.
    “Trust you to sum up the situation in a few words. So you are engaged. It is amazing how many people become engaged on sea voyages. It must be something in the air.”
     
    Tropical seas . flying fishes . dolphins . “
    “Hurricanes, rolling breakers and nausea.”
    Don’t be unromantic, Father. It doesn’t suit you. Say you are pleased and proud of your daughter who has managed to find a husband without the expensive London season you were planning, to launch her into society. “
    “My dear child, all I want is your happiness. You chose this man and if he makes you happy that is all I ask.”
    He kissed me.
    “You’ll have to help me choose a place in London,” he said.
    “Even though doubtless you will be obsessed by your own affairs.”
    “I shall indeed. Oh, Father, I was planning to look after