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

soft clinging snow.
    She could not see, could not hear – she was calling out for help, reaching out – desperately –
    â€œHush! I am here.”
    Her flailing fingers were grasped in strong hands and she sighed as she opened her eyes.
    In the dim light coming through the open curtains, she could see a tall dark figure standing over her.
    Immediately she knew who it was and why she was so disturbed.
    â€œMy Lord – forgive me – I should not be here. I must go at once.”
    â€œMiss Winfield! Please do calm yourself. What is this nonsense are you talking?”
    Jasmina struggled to sit upright.
    Mary stepped forward out of the shadows and slid her arm round the girl’s slender shoulders.
    â€œThere, madam. Let me place this pillow behind your head.” She glanced up at the Earl. “She is worried about being an unwelcome guest, my Lord.”
    â€œThank you, Mary. Perhaps you should now go to the kitchen and ask Mrs. Rush for some hot soup.”
    Mary hesitated, then dropped a curtsy and left the room. The Earl loosened his grip on Jasmina’s hands but stayed close to the bed.
    â€œMiss Winfield, we do find ourselves in a very odd situation, don’t we? We have not even been introduced, although I know the Duke and Duchess, of course.”
    â€œMy Lord, I am so sorry to foist myself on your hospitality in this way. I now feel perfectly well enough to travel on to my relations in Debbingford.”
    The Earl frowned.
    â€œMiss Winfield, that is not possible, I am afraid. The road out of the valley is closed because of the snow, and I do assure you, although I do not normally entertain houseguests, you cannot surely think that a stranger in my country would be turned away?
    â€œI have heard that Americans shower their visitors with hospitality. Although I just cannot offer you any great excitement, you are welcome to the shelter of my castle until you are fully recovered. I have an extensive library should you wish to read.”
    Jasmina’s big blue eyes glistened for a moment.
    Yes, she was indeed a stranger and in the moments of fever when she had come round during the night, she had longed to be at home in Missouri in her own little bed.
    But she now refused to show her aristocratic host her fears.
    She raised her chin and faced him squarely without flinching.
    â€œMy Lord, I am well aware that you do not receive visitors here at the castle. Thus I do feel I am imposing on you.”
    The Earl suddenly wanted to smile at her and say that she was welcome to stay as long as she liked.
    But that would be foolish.
    He had no time for such social niceties, especially with stubborn hot-headed young women.
    â€œNot at all,” he responded. “It is an extremely large castle, Miss Winfield, and there is no need for us to meet at all. Now I will leave you to rest in peace to recover your strength.”
    He bowed and left the room.
    Jasmina stared hard at the closing door, a frisson of anger buzzing through her veins.
    No need to meet at all! Well! She certainly had no need to speak to him again either.
    Richard, the Earl of Somerton’s ideas of courtesy and her own were clearly miles apart.
    *
    By lunchtime the raging blizzard had stopped, but the temperature had dropped and the snow was sculpted into weird and wonderful shapes, blown into peaks by the wind and frozen into fantastic ice mountains that looked like illustrations for some old book of children’s fairy tales.
    Mary, a heavy red shawl draped around her head and ears, slipped and skidded across the icy cobbled stable yard, a small wicker basket clutched to her chest. Inside wrapped in a cloth were two hot meat pasties and slices of cheese.
    George Radford, the red-headed farmer she loved so much, was standing gazing moodily out from the stable entrance.
    â€œI’ve brought you something to eat, George.”
    â€œMary! You shouldn’t be out in this cold, lass. But thank you