Read Online The Island of Love (Camfield Series No. 15) by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Barbara Cartland
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knew that what was happening now was the most fascinating experience of her whole life.
She knew she ought to make some excuse to leave him, for both Heloise and her father would disapprove of what they would think of as her monopolising the Earl, but she could not bring herself to go.
She was afraid that once they reached New York and Heloise was herself again she might never have another chance of talking to him.
“You said you had seen me in the hunting-field,” he said. “Do you enjoy hunting?”
“It is what I look forward to as the only exciting thing which ever happens to me,” Lydia replied.
“I think you should add to that: ‘Up until now,’ ” the Earl remarked.
“Apart from the journey, do you think there are other exciting things for me to discover?” Lydia asked.
“But of course!” he replied. “You are very young, and I am sure you have not really begun to live.”
That was true, Lydia thought.
When she remembered her life at home and the household duties that occupied her time, the books that were her only companions, she knew exactly what the Earl meant and it was something she had missed so far.
“If nothing else ever happens in the future,” she said impulsively, “I shall at least have this to remember.”
She was looking at the sea, but she knew it was not only the voyage or the place they were going to that she would remember, but being with the Earl.
“Then enjoy every moment of it,” he said quietly, “and do not let mistaken ideas of duty or pride prevent you from reaching out towards your dream.”
She was so surprised at what he said and the way he spoke that she turned to look at him.
He was nearer than she expected and his eyes were looking into hers.
For a moment they just looked at each other. Then as the spray from a wave breaking against the side of the ship made them both stiffen Lydia came back to reality.
Without saying anything she walked away and left the Earl alone at the railing.
It was not until two days before they were due to reach New York that Heloise felt well enough to leave her bed.
This had meant that Lydia had not been able to take her meals in the Dining-Room but had them brought to Heloise’s cabin by the stewards.
She was disappointed because never again had she had a conversation with the Earl.
Although she had hoped to see him when she went on the Promenade Deck very early in the morning before Heloise was awake, and sometimes in the afternoons when she was asleep, he was never there.
She wondered if she had offended him, or even shocked him, by the way she had talked so openly.
And yet she knew every word was something that she would remember and recite over and over again to herself when she was alone.
Sir Robert told her that the Earl had been invited up onto the bridge by the Captain and as he was a keen yachtsman he was enjoying watching them navigate the Liner.
She knew also that the Earl exercised regularly in the Gymnasium, which was a new facility in the ship.
Now they were in smoother waters he played Deck-Tennis with some of the other passengers, not surprisingly being so good at it that he always emerged the victor.
“We have some excellent Bridge in the evening,” Sir Robert said, “which would certainly not amuse you girls. But there is a Band, and one or two of the passengers have been well enough to dance.”
As he said this Heloise roused herself from the lethargy she had been in ever since she had been seasick.
“Are you telling me, Papa, that Hunter is dancing with other women?”
“No, of course not,” Sir Robert said, “but I am sure it is something he would want to do if you would take the trouble to get up and dress!”
“I do not like the sea!” Heloise said plaintively.
“It is something you will have to get used to,” Sir Robert replied. “Your future husband is very pleased with his new yacht, so there is every likelihood of his visiting the Mediterranean later on in the summer.” He
She knew she ought to make some excuse to leave him, for both Heloise and her father would disapprove of what they would think of as her monopolising the Earl, but she could not bring herself to go.
She was afraid that once they reached New York and Heloise was herself again she might never have another chance of talking to him.
“You said you had seen me in the hunting-field,” he said. “Do you enjoy hunting?”
“It is what I look forward to as the only exciting thing which ever happens to me,” Lydia replied.
“I think you should add to that: ‘Up until now,’ ” the Earl remarked.
“Apart from the journey, do you think there are other exciting things for me to discover?” Lydia asked.
“But of course!” he replied. “You are very young, and I am sure you have not really begun to live.”
That was true, Lydia thought.
When she remembered her life at home and the household duties that occupied her time, the books that were her only companions, she knew exactly what the Earl meant and it was something she had missed so far.
“If nothing else ever happens in the future,” she said impulsively, “I shall at least have this to remember.”
She was looking at the sea, but she knew it was not only the voyage or the place they were going to that she would remember, but being with the Earl.
“Then enjoy every moment of it,” he said quietly, “and do not let mistaken ideas of duty or pride prevent you from reaching out towards your dream.”
She was so surprised at what he said and the way he spoke that she turned to look at him.
He was nearer than she expected and his eyes were looking into hers.
For a moment they just looked at each other. Then as the spray from a wave breaking against the side of the ship made them both stiffen Lydia came back to reality.
Without saying anything she walked away and left the Earl alone at the railing.
It was not until two days before they were due to reach New York that Heloise felt well enough to leave her bed.
This had meant that Lydia had not been able to take her meals in the Dining-Room but had them brought to Heloise’s cabin by the stewards.
She was disappointed because never again had she had a conversation with the Earl.
Although she had hoped to see him when she went on the Promenade Deck very early in the morning before Heloise was awake, and sometimes in the afternoons when she was asleep, he was never there.
She wondered if she had offended him, or even shocked him, by the way she had talked so openly.
And yet she knew every word was something that she would remember and recite over and over again to herself when she was alone.
Sir Robert told her that the Earl had been invited up onto the bridge by the Captain and as he was a keen yachtsman he was enjoying watching them navigate the Liner.
She knew also that the Earl exercised regularly in the Gymnasium, which was a new facility in the ship.
Now they were in smoother waters he played Deck-Tennis with some of the other passengers, not surprisingly being so good at it that he always emerged the victor.
“We have some excellent Bridge in the evening,” Sir Robert said, “which would certainly not amuse you girls. But there is a Band, and one or two of the passengers have been well enough to dance.”
As he said this Heloise roused herself from the lethargy she had been in ever since she had been seasick.
“Are you telling me, Papa, that Hunter is dancing with other women?”
“No, of course not,” Sir Robert said, “but I am sure it is something he would want to do if you would take the trouble to get up and dress!”
“I do not like the sea!” Heloise said plaintively.
“It is something you will have to get used to,” Sir Robert replied. “Your future husband is very pleased with his new yacht, so there is every likelihood of his visiting the Mediterranean later on in the summer.” He
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