This Way to Heaven by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page A

picked up her hand and chafed at the pale fingers.
    A lady’s hand, that was obvious, but he could feel calluses made from leather reins. Indeed he had the same patches on his own fingers.
    He reached across and smoothed the blonde tresses away from her face.
    How big his hand looked against her cheek!
    Suddenly he became aware that the girl’s eyes were opening and she stared up at him, panic flaring.
    â€œDon’t worry about anything. Everything is quite all right. You are safe and I have sent for a doctor.”
    â€œI – I – I am scared. Please , do not leave me!”
    The pale fingers tightened over his.
    The Earl realised that she was almost delirious. He would have to humour her.
    But his voice sounded deep and sincere as he told her,
    â€œI will never leave you. Sleep now. You are quite safe here in my castle.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    Doctor Meade strode briskly into the Earl’s study, pulling on his long black jacket over white shirtsleeves and a sombre mustard waistcoat.
    Tall and thin with a neat grey beard and side-whiskers, he accepted gratefully the glass of whisky the Earl handed him.
    â€œThank you, my Lord. Much appreciated on such a cold night – or should I say morning, because I believe dawn is now breaking.”
    â€œIt was so good of you to come out, doctor. I have arranged for breakfast to be served to you immediately.”
    The Doctor raised an eyebrow.
    It would hardly have been possible for him to have refused George’s insistent demand earlier that night.
    â€œAnd the young lady? What of your patient?”
    The Earl turned away as he enquired and stood, one hand resting on the white marble mantelpiece, gazing at the embers of the fire as if the answer was of no consequence to him whatsoever.
    â€œLuckily her fever has abated somewhat, my Lord. Your housekeeper dealt with the situation most promptly it seems. The young lady is very strong with a most robust constitution and as long as she takes things easily for a few days, stays in bed and has plenty of nourishing food, then I see no reason why she should not make a full recovery.”
    â€œSo in your opinion she should not travel?”
    The doctor looked up sharply at the shadowed dark face.
    â€œCertainly not, my Lord! That would be extremely unwise.”
    â€œDoes she have a name?”
    â€œIt transpires that she is a Miss Jasmina Winfield, an American relation of the Duke and Duchess of Harley. She was on her way to visit other relations in Debbingford when misfortune overtook her.”
    The Earl frowned.
    â€œThen surely I can arrange for her to be transported back to Harley Grange as soon as the blizzard stops? They will be most concerned for her safety.”
    The doctor shook his head.
    â€œShe was apparently travelling from Harley Grange to stay with these relations when the accident happened. The Duchess has gone to London – a grandson has arrived prematurely into this cold world, so it seems.
    â€œSo Harley Grange is empty and in my considered opinion, it would be unwise for Miss Winfield to continue her journey to the Parsonage at Debbingford, which I know to be extremely damp.”
    The Earl crossed impatiently to his desk.
    â€œAll right, Doctor Meade. You have indeed made your point. Miss Winfield must stay here at the castle. I will make sure she has every attention from my staff until she is fit to travel.
    â€œNow I will ring for someone to escort you to the dining room. I am sure you will be glad of some hot bacon and eggs before you have to venture out into the snow once more.”
    The doctor bowed, recognising that he was being dismissed.
    â€œThank you, my Lord, most kind of you. Oh, and Miss Winfield is asking to speak to you. I said you would be up to see her directly. She should not be allowed to fret over anything at the moment.”
    *
    Jasmina was dreaming she was running frantically through a blinding blizzard, her feet being held down by the