Read Online Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page A

ears when she tried to put in the heavy drop-diamond earrings.
    â€œSo sorry, miss,” she said as Robina flinched. “We want you to look nice tonight, don’t we? Madam says there be a special guest tonight, an important gentleman by all accounts. Madam says he’s very interestin’ and has a great deal of money.”
    Robina forced a smile but did not reply.
    â€œI would count myself real lucky if I were to meet such a distinguished gentleman,” continued Molly. “I hears he has three houses – one in Biarritz, one in London and one in the County. And then there’s his big stable of racehorses.”
    â€œMolly, I don’t care if he is the Prince of Arabia!” interjected Robina impatiently.
    It was obvious that her stepmother had primed the girl to extol Lord Drury’s virtues.
    â€œI was only saying, miss – ”
    â€œI would prefer it if you concentrated on my hair, thank you,” insisted Robina firmly.
    At last the gong sounded and Robina was relieved to get away from the girl.
    â€œDon’t worry about attending me before bed,” she called as she was leaving. “I will see to things myself.”
    â€˜Goodness!’ cried Robina inwardly. ‘If I am forced to have that girl attending me, I shall go quite mad! I must ask Papa why I cannot have Nanny back.’
    She checked her reflection again in the small mirror and could see how the diamonds gave her skin a luminous sheen and she wished she did not have to wear them.
    â€˜I don’t want to appear too attractive,’ she thought gloomily.
    Taking a deep breath she descended the stairs and walked towards the drawing room.
    She went inside and at once saw Lord Drury.
    He was just as she had feared – quite an old man with snowy-white hair and a rotund figure. His hair stood on end as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning and his face was florid and chubby.
    â€œAh, here she is,” announced her stepmother. “Lord Drury, this is my stepdaughter, Robina.”
    Lord Drury turned around and his rubicund face lit up as he took in Robina from head to toe.
    He struggled to his feet and Robina could see that his waistcoat was straining at the buttons.
    She tried her best not to show her distaste, but she realised that her expression often did give away her innermost thoughts.
    â€œCharming! Quite charming!” gushed Lord Drury, as he held Robina’s hand and planted a slobbery kiss on it.
    She withdrew her hand as soon as possible without causing offence, but if there had been a napkin to hand, she would have needed it.
    Her stepmother watched her like a hawk as Robina walked to a seat as far away from Lord Drury as possible.
    â€œRobina, his Lordship was just telling us all about his new stable of racehorses. I told him that you adore to ride,” said her stepmother, just daring her to contradict her.
    Robina managed a thin smile and looked down.
    She refused to be drawn into the conversation.
    â€œI used to ride a lot myself,” added Lord Drury, smiling away at Robina, “but not in recent years, I admit.”
    â€œMy horse has not seen me for many a long month either,” added her father. “Poor Hercules!”
    â€œHe misses you, Papa,” came in Robina, seizing the opportunity to turn the conversation away from herself.
    They were interrupted by Newman, who came in to announce that dinner was waiting to be served.
    Lord Drury took the opportunity to heave himself out of his chair and made a beeline for Robina.
    â€œAccompany me into dinner, won’t you, my dear?” he suggested, leering at her.
    Robina took hold of the proffered arm and tried not to shudder.
    She could see her stepmother smiling in triumph as they walked towards the dining room. In her head Robina was almost halfway up the aisle.
    In the dining room Robina was given a place next to Lord Drury, much to her horror.
    â€œYou must tell me all about yourself,