Read Online 103. She Wanted Love by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page A

highest bidder.’
    She shuddered because the very idea shocked her.
    The carriage continued gathering speed as it went out of London and it was then that Eleta began to think of the future rather than the past.
    ‘Why,’ she asked herself, ‘does this child have such a dislike of her Governesses? Why do they say she is so impossible and un-teachable that they leave almost as soon as they arrive?’
    Because she had learnt to reason things out at the Convent, she had been successful at all her lessons.
    Not only had she used her brain, but her perception, her imagination and what she liked to call her Third Eye and now she applied them all to what was waiting ahead for her.
    This passed the time far more quickly than anything else she could have done.
    It was twelve o’clock before the carriage turned in at some large and majestic gold-topped gates and drove up a long drive with ancient oaks on either side.
    They made Eleta think of her own country house in Northamptonshire.
    When she had her first glimpse of the Marquis’s house, she thought it was, without exception, the finest and most attractive house she had ever seen.
    It was certainly extremely impressive and she was to learn later that it was considered the greatest success of the Adam Brothers.
    They passed over a bridge into a huge courtyard with the sun shining on at least a hundred windows.
    Eleta had seen many great houses when she had been abroad, especially the beautiful châteaux in France.
    None, however, could equal the magnificence of Teringford Court, which excelled them all.
    As they drew up at the front door, it flashed through her mind that, however short her stay might be, she must fully explore this magnificent and wonderful house before she left.

CHAPTER FOUR
    An elderly butler bowed to Eleta.
    “Good morning,” she began somewhat shyly. “I am Miss Lawson, the new Governess.”
    He looked at her in surprise and she realised that he was thinking she was far too young, but he then said,
    “If you’ll come this way, miss, I’ll take you to his Lordship’s secretary, Mr. Clarke, who I know will want to see you.”
    There were two footmen in very smart livery in the hall and the butler led Eleta under the carved staircase and along a passage that she was sure ended in the kitchens.
    Half way there, however, he stopped at a door and opening it he announced in an almost stentorian tone,
    “Miss Lawson, the new Governess, sir.”
    Mr. Clarke, an elderly man, was looking a bit tired.
    He rose from his desk and held out his hand.
    “I was informed that you would be arriving today, Miss Lawson,” he said, “but I did not expect you so soon.”
    “They were kind enough in London,” Eleta replied, “to allow me to leave early.”
    “Will you sit down?” Mr. Clarke asked.
    He indicated a chair in front of his desk and she sat down on it, sitting stiffly upright.
    “I expect you have been told,” he said, as he seated himself, “that we have a difficult problem here.”
    “Yes, Mrs. Hill told me about it and I hope that I will be more successful than the other Governesses.”
    “I hope so too. It is very bad for a child to have women popping in and out, but you must forgive me if I say that you look almost too young for such a position.”
    Eleta opened her handbag and handed him the two references she had shown to Mrs. Hill.
    He took them from her and read them slowly and then he commented,
    “These are certainly complimentary and I can only hope, Miss Lawson, that you will not give up too quickly. I think that the Governesses who preceded you left because they would not give it a fair chance.”
    “I will certainly do my best.”
    “I can only wish you the very best of luck,” Mr. Clarke said. “And thank you for giving us at least a try.”
    Eleta realised that he was trying to be friendly and she smiled at him before she added,
    “If my problems are too heavy for me, I will come and ask you how I can solve them. I have always