Read Online Follow Your Heart by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

have been working very hard on your book and I am quite certain you need your beauty sleep.”
    â€œThere I must agree with you, but do have a nightcap before you go.”
    The Duke shook his head.
    â€œNo, I am taking Jason away.”
    He lowered his voice so that only Lord Lainden could hear as he whispered,
    â€œI have told Della that he will call on her tomorrow afternoon.”
    Lord Lainden did not respond but merely nodded.
    The Duke began to shake hands with everyone in the party.
    As he and Jason walked towards the door, the two married couples said that they too would leave.
    Lord Lainden did nothing to encourage them to stay as he walked with them into the hall.
    Lady Southgate was left alone with Della in the drawing room.
    â€œIt has been a delightful evening,” she was saying, “and you look so beautiful I feel you have been wasted on such a collection of old people.”
    â€œI am so glad you have enjoyed yourself,” replied Della, “and I know Uncle Edward loved hearing about your puppies.”
    â€œHe has promised to come to see them and so, as I have told you, has the Earl.”
    Lady Southgate paused for a moment before she added,
    â€œI am rather sorry for him. I feel he has been hurt as only a man can be hurt when a woman fails him.”
    Della had not thought of Jason in such a sympathetic light.
    Now it struck her that it must have been a shock for him to find himself so unhappy, especially with a woman for whom he had sacrificed so much.
    She smiled at Lady Southgate.
    â€œYou always do say such nice things and find something good in everyone.”
    â€œI try to, although it has not always been easy.”
    Lady Southgate walked towards the door.
    Della thought she was a kind and charming lady with a pleasant nature.
    When they reached the hall the guests were still waiting. The carriages of the two married couples had come from the stables first. They said goodnight again and hurried into them.
    â€œI cannot think what has happened to your carriage, Ralph,” said Lord Lainden to the Duke.
    â€œThey might have had some trouble in leading one of my horses into the shafts,” commented the Duke. “We are trying out a new horse tonight which we have never driven before and he seemed a bit obstreperous.”
    â€œWhat he wants,” Jason piped up, “is to be firmly handled. I have always thought that Grayer is too lenient with your horses and this is just another example.”
    The sharp way he spoke made Della look at him in surprise. Then she remembered that he had always been a somewhat cruel rider.
    He used a whip unnecessarily and always punished a horse that did not come up to his expectations.
    â€˜He would treat his wife in the same way,’ she mused.
    The Duke’s carriage appeared at last.
    Della had no wish to shake hands with Jason again, so she started to climb the stairs.
    As the Duke stepped out of the front door, Jason turned back and hurried towards Della and took her hand in both of his.
    â€œI will see you tomorrow,” he asserted, “at three o’clock, so do not forget it.”
    He spoke insistently as if it really mattered to him.
    The touch of his hands on hers gave Della the same feeling she had felt before – one of revulsion and almost horror.
    With the greatest difficulty she did not snatch her hand from Jason’s, but forced herself to promise,
    â€œNo, I will not forget.”
    Jason stared at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.
    â€œIt would be a mistake for you to do so,” he murmured.
    He turned as he spoke and hurried after his father.
    Della ran up the stairs and into her bedroom. Only as she reached it and closed the door behind her was she aware that she was trembling.
    If the Duke had threatened her, so had Jason. It was something she had certainly not expected.
    â€œ How dare he !” she exclaimed aloud.
    She was suddenly very frightened.
    She was