“Y-yes – of course,” Sedela agreed. “You don’t want to have people – talking about – the snake.”
“There will be nothing to prove that it was put there intentionally,” the Marquis said, “unless you talk about what has happened.”
“Of course I – understand – that.”
“It was Bayford, I suppose,” the Marquis asked in a hard voice.
Sedela nodded.
“I ought to call him out and teach him a lesson he will never forget!” the Marquis exclaimed.
“No – no – of course not!”
“But that would mean,” the Marquis went on as if she had not spoken, “your name being involved and people discussing my affair with Esther Hasting even more than they are doing at the moment.”
Sedela gave a little cry.
“That must not happen! We will – tell Nanny and – everybody else that I – hurt my – ankle.”
As if she could not help herself, she moved a little closer to the Marquis.
“Oh, Ivan – suppose having failed to – kill me they somehow – manage to hurt or – destroy you?”
“They will not destroy me,” the Marquis said harshly. “What they want is that I should marry Esther.”
“Oh – Ivan!”
Without really meaning to, without thinking what she was doing, Sedela hid her face against his shoulder.
He knew that she was struggling to prevent herself from crying again.
“I have the answer to that problem,” he said, “but first I am going to take you home.”
He picked up his pistol and put it into the pocket of his evening coat.
Leaving the candle-lantern on the ground he picked Sedela up in his arms.
“Now remember which leg you are supposed to have injured,” he said, “and let’s hope I can climb down the path without dropping you!”
He was teasing her and she managed to give a little laugh before she replied,
“I could – walk as far – as the house.”
“If we are going to tell a lie,” the Marquis insisted firmly, “we will tell a good one. One never knows if somebody might be looking out of a window or a bird has forgotten to put his head under his wing.”
Sedela put her head on his shoulder.
“I am quite – content for – you to carry me,” she said, “and I left my slippers – behind in the – wooden house.”
“I will collect them tomorrow and I will also bury the cobra’s body.”
He paused before he went on,
“I suppose really I should be extremely annoyed with the people from the circus for selling it.”
“I don’t expect that they had any idea what it was wanted for,” Sedela answered, “and Lord Bayford had to pay a good deal of money for it.”
“How do you know that?” the Marquis asked.
“When he put the cloth over my head and carried me into the wooden house I had, of course. no idea who he was,” Sedela replied. “Then I listened and heard him being angry with the man who had fetched me away from the fireworks by telling me that there had been an accident.”
“An accident!” the Marquis exclaimed.
“He had not brought the – snake as Lord Bayford had told him to do – from the circus people,” Sedela finished.
“It was a crafty idea,” the Marquis said angrily, “but go on!”
“He then went himself to fetch it because his accomplice said – that they wanted a further twenty pounds for the cobra.”
Sedela gave a little sigh.
“It was then – when I was very frightened that I remembered how the arrow on the roof had caused the rain to leak into the house – and that boards had been put up beneath it.”
“I had forgotten that myself,” the Marquis admitted, “until I saw you looking down at me. I can only thank God, my darling, that I was able to save you.”
“I prayed that you – would come.”
“I heard your prayers,” the Marquis answered.
“You did?” Sedela asked. “You did – really?”
“I thought that you were calling me when I was going upstairs to make sure that you were there and I found Nanny waiting for me.”
“Oh, Ivan, it must have been when I was praying – that you would somehow rescue me, although I could not believe it was – possible!”
“But it was possible,” the Marquis said, “and it is something you must not think about again from this moment on.”
Sedela raised her head from his shoulder.
They had now reached the house.
The Marquis carried her in, along the corridor to his study and then opened the door.
Still carrying her he took her to the sofa and set her down gently.
Then he went back into the corridor to fetch one of the candles and from it he lit the candelabrum that stood on his desk.
Going to the grog tray in the far corner of the room he poured out a drink for Sedela and a stronger one for himself.
“I think we both need this,” he said. “If you were frightened, my darling, I knew as I ran back to the house to fetch my pistol that I have never, even during the Battle of Waterloo, been so terrified that I would not be in time!”
“Oh, Ivan – that is a very – flattering thing to say!”
The wine brought a little colour back into her cheeks.
Despite all that she had been through the Marquis thought that no other woman could have looked so lovely and at the same time be so composed.
He knew that Esther or any of the other women he had pursued in London would be still screaming hysterically over their ordeal.
Instead of which Sedela was just looking at him, her eyes filled with love.
The Marquis put down his glass and sat down beside her.
“You told me just now,” he said in a deep voice, “that you wanted to save me from any more of these extremely unpleasant schemes on the part of Esther Hasting and Roger Bayford.”
Sedela gave a little cry.
“Of course I want to! Oh, Ivan, suppose they – trap you in some – horrible way into making you – marry Lady Esther?”
She drew in her breath before she went on,
“They might – drug you when you are – least expecting it or force you – by threatening to – kill you to make her – your wife!”
It was difficult for Sedela to say the last two words. Then she was worried in case she had embarrassed the Marquis by what she had said.
Perhaps he would think that she was being over-dramatic.
Once again she hid her face against his shoulder and the Marquis put his arms around her and kissed her hair.
Then he said very softly,
“I have a solution that will keep me safe forever, that is if you will agree to it.”
“You have a solution?” Sedela repeated. “Oh, Ivan – what is it?”
She raised her face to look up at him.
Once again he saw the anxiety in her eyes and he could feel too that her body was trembling because she was afraid for him.
“As you know,” the Marquis said slowly, “Esther Hasting is determined to marry me, but it would be impossible for her to do so or, as you suggest, to trap me into marriage if I already have a wife.”
Sedela stared at him.
He watched her and waited for her to understand what he was saying.
Then a dazzling light, as if it came from the stars, appeared in her eyes.
A faint glow of colour like the dawn of a new day suffused her cheeks.
She looked beautiful and radiant!
At the same time, because she was not quite certain what he was saying, her lips quivered a little.
He knew too that she was holding her breath as if it was impossible for her to breathe.
“We will be married in the Chapel as soon as possible after your parents’ return.”
“Oh – Ivan – do you really – want me?”
It was the cry of a child who was suddenly afraid that something
wonderful which had been promised would not materialise.
“I want you,” the Marquis replied, “more than it is possible to tell you in words.”
He bent his head and his lips took possession of hers.
He kissed her in what Sedela knew was now a different way.
He was telling her of his love.
It was the love that she had always dreamed of, but could not hope that she would ever find.
Once again she felt as if he carried her up into the glory of Heaven.
They were neither of them on earth, but a part of God.
They were already so close that nothing human could make them any closer.
“I love you, my precious and wonderful darling,” the Marquis breathed and his voice was deep and a little unsteady.
“I have loved you – ever since I can remember,” Sedela murmured, “but I did not – know that what I – felt was the – love of a – woman for a man.”
“And now it is?” the Marquis asked.
“It is so – marvellous – so perfect – so Holy – there are no words to – describe it.”
“We have all our lives to tell each other how much our love means,” the Marquis said, “so now, my darling, I am going to send you to bed. You have been through a terrifying experience, which is a secret that we will never talk about again. I want you to think only of the future when you will be my wife.”
“How could I – think of – anything else except – you?” Sedela whispered.
The Marquis drew her to her feet.
Then, as if he could not help himself, he pulled her close.
He kissed her passionately and possessively and almost fiercely until they were both breathless.
“I want to go on kissing you all night,” he sighed, “but that will have to wait until we are married. We must not forget that Nanny is waiting anxiously to know what has happened to you.”
Sedela laughed.
“You have said the only thing that could make me leave you. I cannot let Nanny be worried.”
“She is very worried,” the Marquis answered. “She thought that she saw Lady Constance and knew that you were in danger.”
“Lady Constance appeared – because of – me?” Sedela asked. “That makes me know I really am a – member of the – family!”
“I think Lady Constance must have been anticipating our marriage,” the Marquis said. “From now on you are a very important member of the family and, of course, we cannot have Nanny sitting for ever in the nursery with nothing to do!”
Sedela gave a little choked laugh.
At the same time she looked a little shy.
“Oh, Ivan,” she said, “you are – going too fast into the future.”
Impulsively Sedela threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Then, before he could hold her closer still, she twisted herself free and ran towards the door.
“I am going to see Nanny,” she called back, “but – darling – darling – darling Ivan – I love you!”
Then she was gone.
The Marquis heard her footsteps as she ran down the corridor towards the hall.
He was already thinking ahead that the housekeeper would know where to find the family Wedding veil, which had been used by three generations of Windlesham brides.
And later he would take out from the safe a tiara for Sedela to wear on the Wedding veil.
He then walked across the room to draw back the curtains and open the window.
The sky was filled with stars.
He was remembering once again his mother and how she had said that his Guardian Angel was among them and looking after him as well as protecting him.
How was it possible after tonight to believe anything else?
He had been saved by Sedela, who loved him, from marrying a woman who would disgrace not only him but also his family.
A woman who was both evil and determined.
How could he not be eternally grateful that at the same time he had found somebody who loved him for himself.
Not because he was rich and a Marquis, but as a man.
It was what he had always wanted and what he had dreamt he would find one day.
He knew that the love he had for Sedela was something very different from the entirely physical infatuation that he had had for Esther.
He knew now that he was right to be ashamed of his lack of perception.
How could he have been bemused by a woman who was beautiful, but utterly despicable?
He felt that he would never be sufficiently grateful that he had, by a miracle, escaped her clutches.
Or rather he had been saved, just as he had been able to save Sedela.
‘I will make her as happy as I am,’ he swore, ‘and together we will spread happiness for the rest of our lives to all those we come in contact with, especially those who work in The Court and on the estate.’
He thought that it would be very wonderful when the nurseries upstairs were filled with his sons and daughters.
They too would be protected not only by their Guardian Angels in the sky but also by the ghost of Lady Constance.
She would warn them.
Just as she had warned many generations of Windles if there was danger.
‘I have so much to be thankful for,’ the Marquis thought humbly.
He closed the window and pulled back the curtains.
He walked slowly along the corridor and up the stairs to the Master suite.
He thought as he did so that very soon he would be the happiest man in the world when he could hold Sedela in his arms and teach her about love.
The love of a man and a woman!
While she would teach him about the Love of God.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heave
n
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
The Peril and the Prince
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
From Hate to Love
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
Warned by a Ghost Page 12