The Island of Love (Camfield Series No. 15) by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

the King’s Coronation, because he was frightened that in his absence I might fall in love with somebody else.”
    She preened herself a little before she went on:
    “It was quite intelligent of him to think that because it is something which might easily happen.”
    Lydia laughed.
    “I cannot believe anybody more important than the Earl would pop down the chimney the moment he had gone away!”
    “One never knows!” Heloise said mysteriously. “You told me that the Earl was the most important man in England!”
    “Well, in a way he is,” Heloise admitted. “None of the Dukes or Marquesses have more money than he has or finer houses. Papa says his race-horses are supreme!”
    “Then I think it is a very good thing that you are going with him to Honolulu,” Lydia said. “Just supposing he thought that one of the dancing-girls in their grass skirts and with hibiscus flowers in their hair was even more beautiful than you! He might marry her, then where would you be?”
    Lydia was only teasing, but Heloise gave a scream of anger.
    “How can you suggest anything so degrading?” she cried furiously. “Dancing girls cannot be compared to me! They are immoral creatures who set out to attract men, and they certainly would not expect to marry an English nobleman!”
    Lydia laughed.
    “I was not being serious, Heloise,” she said. “At the same time, you must be aware that the Earl is a very attractive man, and wherever he goes there will always be women running after him and ready to entice him if they get the chance.”
    She spoke quite seriously because although she did not want to upset her sister she thought it would be a mistake for her to be too complacent.
    She should not expect the Earl, because he was in love with her, not to need the consideration and flattery which she was sure every man needed, and he especially.
    Heloise tossed her head.
    “He will not find anybody as beautiful as me,” she said, “in fact he has already said that I am the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.”
    Lydia gave a little sigh. She thought it would be impossible to make Heloise understand that, unless she was very much mistaken, her beauty would not content somebody like the Earl for ever.
    She did not know why she was so sure he would want more from a woman than a beautiful face, but she had the feeling that he was seeking for something deeper, not only from women but from life.
    Something which cynically he was almost certain he would never find.
    Then she shook herself.
    “I am just imagining all these things about him because he is so handsome.”
    Then she knew that when she had watched him through the banisters coming into the house, she had felt in some strange way that her instinct told her things about him almost as if he was talking to her.
    It was something she could not explain, and yet it was there.
    It was so vivid and everything she heard about him added to her knowledge of him.
    “Tomorrow I shall be near him,” she whispered.
    She felt as if there was a lark singing in the sky.

    chapter three
    “This is my daughter Lydia,” Sir Robert said.
    “Your daughter?” the Earl exclaimed in surprise.
    As he held out his hand Lydia realised that neither her father nor Heloise had told him that she was coming with them on the journey.
    In fact, he had been expecting a paid companion or perhaps a poor relation who would be grateful for the privilege.
    ‘That is exactly what I am!’ Lydia thought with a wry smile.
    Then as the Earl’s hand touched hers she knew that to meet him was what she had been longing for, and she felt as if she vibrated to his strength and his attraction.
    “I hope you will enjoy the voyage, Miss Westbury,” he was saying.
    As he spoke the conventional words she was aware that his eyes were looking at her, taking in every detail of her appearance.
    In some strange way she could not explain he seemed to be looking deeper as if, as she had thought before, he was seeking for something