The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

another floor here.’
    Before he knew it, he had picked up his pencil and was busy redrawing the plan. He worked on and on through the night and did not notice the passing of time.
    When Hoskin came in early the next morning with a tray, he was shocked to see his Master up and busy.
    â€œMy Lord. You look as if you haven’t been to sleep.”
    â€œIndeed, I have not,” replied the Viscount, wearily rubbing his face with one strong hand. “I could not sleep in that bed and once my mind began to form plans and designs for this place, I found I was too restless for slumber. And so, I got up and began to work.
    â€œHoskin, will you have my work things set up in the library for me after breakfast? I cannot work here indefinitely and will need a place to go where I will not be disturbed by maids.”
    â€œOf course, my Lord,” replied Hoskin, handing him a cup of tea.
    Later, after breakfast was over, the Viscount hurried eagerly into the library to begin work.
    â€˜It is a good deal shabbier than I had first thought. This is going to tax my ingenuity,’ he murmured, as he sharpened his pencil and took out a fresh sheet of paper, feeling once more that familiar thrill of tackling a new design.
    â€˜But, yes, I think I shall be very happy here.’
    And a slow smile spread across his handsome face as he began to draw.
    *
    â€œAre you certain we are heading in the right direction, driver?” asked Luella, as the carriage they had hired at Southampton began to climb uphill.
    The Countess groaned and looked even paler than earlier that morning.
    Luella had entreated her to stay awhile longer in Southampton, but she would not hear of it. And now she was looking worse with each passing mile.
    Furthermore, she was losing confidence in their driver to take them to their destination. He had been forced to turn the horses round once already as they had taken a wrong road, having passed through Okehampton, he had not heeded the sign to Bude and was now haring off in the direction of Great Torrington.
    Although Luella did not have a map or a compass, she was concerned as she now believed they were heading due North. She had a good sense of direction and North was where Scotland and home lay.
    And now with the sun moving off to their left every fibre in her body was screaming that they were on the wrong road.
    â€œOh,” moaned Aunt Edith, as the carriage hit a rock in the road and jolted.
    â€œAunt. Do you wish us to stop?” The Countess nodded and Luella leaned out of the window and shouted to the driver to stop. She helped her aunt out for some fresh air.
    As she stood quivering with nausea by the roadside, Luella was furious with the man. She put her aunt back inside and rounded on him.
    â€œDo you actually know where we are?” she cried with her pale-blue eyes flashing dangerously.
    The driver hung his head and mumbled,
    â€œI’s sorry, miss, but I don’t know these ’ere parts.”
    â€œYou said you knew the way to Bude.”
    â€œSorry, miss. I be lost.”
    â€œYou fool. My aunt is ill and she is getting worse by the moment. We really must stop very soon. I had hoped to be in Cornwall before dark and now it seems unlikely. Take us to the nearest town and ask for directions to a hotel – and hurry.”
    The driver looked suitably ashamed and crawled back onto his box. Luella shut the carriage door forcefully and sat down with a noisy exhalation of breath.
    â€œThe man is an idiot,” she muttered, as her aunt sat huddled under a blanket. “I have asked him to stop at the next town so that we might find somewhere to stay. Can you last that long?”
    â€œI shall try,” replied her aunt wearily. “I don’t think we can make it to Cornwall tonight, however.”
    â€œNo, you are right,” answered Luella, watching the sun sink in the sky.
    The carriage rattled on down the country road and Luella felt tense as she