The Marquis Is Trapped by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

love you to stay on if you possibly could,” Lady McTranar murmured in an almost caressing tone.
    “It is an event that I would really enjoy, but having accepted an invitation from the Earl of Darendell, I don’t think it would be very polite to change my arrangements at the last moment.”
    “I can see you are very considerate and kind,” Lady McTranar remarked.
    “I try to be and it would not be difficult to be kind to someone as beautiful as yourself.”
    “Now you are flattering me,” she smiled, “but it is something I do enjoy.  The Scots are rather slow at paying compliments.”
    “I cannot believe it where you are concerned.”
    Again she gave the Marquis that special look he was so familiar with.
    Dinner finished with a speech from Neil McTranar, saying how much he appreciated being able to welcome the Marquis as his guest at the family home.
    “He came here,” he said, “when he was a boy and since then he has become very influential and I understand has travelled a great deal.  But we are delighted to think he has not forgotten Scotland and I want him to know that he is always welcome here whenever he finds time to cross the border.”
    To the Marquis’s surprise there was applause at this remark from all the other guests.
    When the ladies retired two distinguished Scotsmen told him that they fondly remembered his father and that they had always invited him to visit them whenever he had the time.
    One of them owned an excellent grouse moor and the Marquis thought it very likely that by August he would be able to accept such an invitation himself.
    They joined the ladies in the drawing room, which as usual in Scotland was on the first floor.
    Lady McTranar came over at once to the Marquis.
    “I thought we might play bridge and I would be so delighted if you would agree to partner me.”
    “Nothing would give me greater pleasure – ”
    They sat at the bridge table with another interesting gentleman and a very elegant lady.
    To Lady McTranar’s delight she and the Marquis won easily.
    When their opponents said goodnight, they begged the Marquis to dine with them one day, so that they could have their revenge.
    The rest of the guests did not stay long and it was not yet midnight when they all retired upstairs to bed.
    “There is no need for us to be in any hurry in the morning,” Neil told the Marquis, “but Brian and I wish to inspect your yacht from top to bottom.  I hear it has all the modern gadgets and I would just love to see them before you leave.”
    “I will be delighted to show them to you.  Perhaps you would like to come a little way with me on my voyage, but there is no hurry if it is still blowing hard.”
    He said goodnight to Lady McTranar and thanked her profusely for a delightful evening.
    When he took her hand into his, he felt her fingers tighten on his and although it was such a familiar action, it surprised him a little.
    Gilbert helped him undress.
    Then, because he had not slept a great deal the night before, the Marquis climbed into bed.
    He was about to blow out the candles, when to his surprise the door opened.
    For a moment he felt it must be Gilbert – maybe he could have left something behind and had come back for it.
    Then as the newcomer did not speak, he turned his head.
    To his astonishment he saw Lady McTranar.
    She was looking extremely attractive with her soft auburn hair falling almost to her waist.
    Slowly she walked towards him.
    Then, as the Marquis stared at her, she murmured very softly,
    “I came in to see if you were comfortable and had everything you wanted.”
    Just for a moment the Marquis was silent and then he replied,
    “Not everything!”
*
    The following morning the Marquis awoke early.
    He could hardly believe that what had happened the previous night had been anything but a dream.
    Having rapidly run away from Isobel, he had never imagined for a moment that anyone in Scotland would take her place so quickly.
    It would have been