Read Online Love in the Highlands by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

Lavina said promptly, "three years ago, although as I was not, strictly speaking, out at the time, perhaps it does not count as a proper meeting. But that was when we first set eyes on each other."
    Ferris, overwhelmed with delight, scurried away to tell the world that Lord Elswick and his bride had long cherished a secret love.
    Sir Richard regarded all this with a baleful eye, and wondered when he would be able to deliver his letter. At last he managed to approach the Earl, who had sufficiently recovered his nerve to smile and put the letter aside, saying,
    "Have a drink, my dear fellow."
    "Lord Ringwood, it is of the highest importance that you read this now. Her Majesty urgently requires your presence tomorrow at Windsor Castle."
    Reluctantly the Earl opened and read the letter, which did, indeed, summon him in imperious tones, 'to discuss a matter of national importance'.
    But then the Marquis looked over his shoulder, saying,
    "You can't do that, old fellow. We'll have started on our cruise by then."
    To Sir Richard he explained,
    "Lord Ringwood and Lady Lavina have invited me for a trip on their yacht, and we leave immediately. So he will be unable to accept the Queen's kind invitation."
    "It is not an invitation," said the startled Sir Richard. "It is a summons."
    "Whatever it is, Lord Ringwood cannot attend, as we are headed for the sea tomorrow morning."
    The Marquis slapped Sir Richard on the back and spoke with terrifying geniality.
    "Her Majesty will have to wait until he gets back. It can't be that important."
    Sir Richard was beyond speech. His eyes seemed to pop out of his head.
    "Have another drink," the Marquis told him. "I've had a room prepared for you."
    Sir Richard began to protest that he must return to Windsor Castle, but he reflected that an overnight stay would give him a chance to talk Lord Ringwood into doing his duty, and yielded.
    Soon after that the party ended. A stream of carriages pulled away from the front door, and Sir Richard went unhappily to bed.
    "Let us go into the library," the Marquis said to the other two.
    With the doors safely closed behind them, he said,
    "We have to decide on a plan of action."
    "It's useless," the Earl moaned. "What can we do? Tomorrow he will refuse to leave without me."
    "He can't do so if you've already left," the Marquis pointed out. "We told him that we were going to join your ship, and that's what we must do."
    "But where will we sail?" Lavina asked.
    "Where do you normally go?"
    "The Mediterranean."
    "But I don't think we should go there," the Earl said anxiously. "Too close to the Balkans."
    "I agree," the Marquis said. "So perhaps we should head for Scotland? I believe I heard you mention that you have family there, near Ballater. It's a logical destination."
    "But isn't Ballater near Balmoral?" Lavina reminded them. "And the Queen goes there in summer."
    "But not for another month," the Earl said. "We can have left Scotland by then. It's the perfect solution, except – oh dear. My Captain will not be expecting us."
    "Leave that to me," said the Marquis. "Then it's settled that we leave tomorrow, as early as possible."

CHAPTER FIVE
    Whatever the Marquis planned he carried out efficiently, or at least got Hunsbury to carry out for him.
    The Earl found himself awakened at an early hour by Hunsbury wanting his "instructions for the telegram."
    The Earl, who had not known that he was going to send a telegram, stared.
    "The local Post Office will telegraph the Tilbury Post Office, who will take it to your Captain, so that he will know you are arriving."
    "Oh my goodness!" the Earl exclaimed. "The wonders of modern science. Whatever will they think of next."
    He and Lavina joined the Earl for a very early breakfast. Through the window they could see the trunks being loaded and the carriage brought round.
    "I think we might depart now," said the Marquis, finishing his coffee.
    "But what about Sir Richard," the Earl asked. "Surely I must speak to him before I