This Way to Heaven by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

heat of her fever, Jasmina was only aware of the dark all around her.
    Then just as she was about to step out into nothing but space, she was swept off her feet into two strong arms.
    The Earl fell to the floor, clutching the girl with all his strength, his face buried in tresses of gold hair.
    He felt his heart racing.
    She had been within inches of death !
    â€œMary! Pardew! Hey, there! Someone! Come at once. I need help here! Mary!”
    His clear voice rang out urgently through the silent castle.
    Just at that moment there was a break in the snow clouds and the moon shone through a high window, its rays illuminating the couple locked in each other’s arms.
    Carefully he pushed the golden hair back from the girl’s face as hurrying feet sounded from below.
    Mrs. Rush appeared, scurrying along the corridor just as Mary came running from the direction of the West wing where the servants’ living-quarters were situated.
    â€œWhat the – ” the Earl swore under his breath in astonishment, because he recognised the beautiful pale face beneath his questing fingers.
    In the fitful moonlight he could see that lying in his arms was the very same young American girl he had last seen riding away on that great black horse!
    Mary arrived carrying an oil lamp.
    â€œMy Lord, I can explain – ”
    â€œOh, my dear Heavens, I must have fallen asleep,” stammered Mrs. Rush, fanning her red face with her apron. “The poor child. Oh, thank goodness you stopped her, my Lord. She could have fallen to her death!”
    The Earl climbed to his feet still holding Jasmina in his arms.
    â€œExplanations will have to wait. I take it from her attire that you have had this lady ensconced in a bedroom somewhere, Mary?”
    The young housekeeper flinched at the tone of his voice and Mrs. Rush fell silent and backed away from the anger on her employer’s face.
    â€œYes, my Lord,” replied Mary quietly, refusing to show just how scared and upset she was. “George Radford found her lying injured in the snow and there was no way we could – ”
    â€œWhich room?” the Earl interrupted walking back along the corridor.
    Mary hurried after him, the oil lamp swaying in her grasp.
    â€œThe Peacock room, my Lord.”
    The Earl felt his breath catch in his throat.
    They had dared to give this stranger his dead wife’s room!
    When Millicent had been alive, the door between the Peacock room and the big Master bedroom had always stood open.
    Since her accident the Earl had moved to another part of the castle and had never been inside her room since the day of the funeral.
    Without another word he strode into the room and placed the girl gently onto the bed.
    By the light of the oil lamps he could see that she was very pale, but when he touched her forehead it was hot and damp.
    â€œShe is running a fever,” he said shortly. “We must call a doctor.”
    â€œBut my Lord – ”
    â€œPardew is still drunk and unconscious, I take it!”
    â€œI – I – yes, my Lord, but George Radford is now sleeping in the scullery.”
    â€œWake him and tell him to travel to the village and bring Doctor Meade here at once.”
    â€œBut the snow – ”
    â€œThe road from here to the village will be passable with care. We must get a doctor for this girl. Now go!”
    Mary fled from the room.
    The Earl spun round to Mrs. Rush.
    â€œTell one of the footmen to bring more coal up here immediately. We need a very good fire. She is desperately cold. And hot soup, Mrs. Rush. Chicken or beef stock and at once!”
    The cook curtsied to him briefly and hurried away. She had not seen the Master so animated in years.
    â€˜Goodness, he looks incredibly like his father with his tousled hair and standing there in his shirtsleeves,’ she thought, as she climbed down the steps to the servants’ hall.
    The Earl turned back to the still figure on the bed. He