A Hazard of Hearts

by Barbara Cartland

  She glanced out of the window and then once again at Eudora. who gave her a smile.

  “Go down to his Lordship,” she prompted. “He has waited patiently enough this past week.”

  Slowly Serena walked towards the door, holding her flowers in her hand as if they were some talisman that would give her courage for what she had to do.

  Slowly she descended the Grand Staircase. The house was very quiet and yet it seemed to her that the atmosphere was one of gaiety and happiness. The sunshine was coming in at every window. There were no chattering voices nor the throb of music from the great drawing rooms, but through the open doors she could see that the rooms were filled with light and flowers.

  Never had Mandrake appeared more beautiful. There were no long lines of liveried footmen waiting for guests, no one hurrying by with trays of crystal glasses, there was no sound of horses and coaches in the drive outside nor the clink of money on the gaming tables. It had all gone.

  There was just sunshine and flowers and in the gardens the song of the birds.

  Serena walked across the hall. At the library door she paused for a moment.

  A tremor of fear shot through her. Only once before had she peeped into the library. It was a dark room, she had thought, sombre with its rows of books rising from the floor to the ceiling.

  It was as dark and sombre as Justin could look when he was annoyed, as impersonal too as he could appear in his indifference to what went on around him.

  But Justin had been so close to her in her thoughts these past days that now it was difficult for her to realise that he was a very different person in the flesh – one maybe who was still angry with her, incensed by the confession she had made to him the last time they had met.

  She turned the handle of the door and for a moment thought that she had come to the wrong room. There was sunshine here too, sunshine golden as it poured scintillating in through the great bow window that looked over the sea. Here also there were flowers, great bowls of them on every table.

  She came into the room and Justin rose from the bureau set against the wall where he had been writing. He moved across to her and she strove hard to read the expression on his face.

  They met in the centre of the room and stood for a second looking at each other.

  Was it really necessary to put anything into words? Serena wondered.

  She felt that he must hear the beating of her heart and must read in her eyes all that she had to say.

  Shyly she dropped him a curtsey.

  “You are better?”

  It seemed to her that his voice was unexpectedly low and deep.

  “Yes, thank you,” Serena answered. “I am recovered – entirely.”

  Instinctively, because she was trembling, she moved a little away from him. She went towards the window, her flowers in her hand, the sunshine behind her so that it haloed her fair head.

  Because she was so afraid that she would falter in what she had to say, she began quickly,

  “I want to thank you, my Lord, first for the flowers you have sent me every day and then for saving me. I understand that – you put yourself in grave danger when you came down the cliff to me.”

  “It was not difficult to save you once you were found and Torqo should be thanked for my finding you. If it had not been for him, things might have been very different.”

  “I have told Torqo how grateful I am. But I must thank you too.”

  “And now you have thanked me, forget about it,” Justin said. “It is past, a closed chapter. Let’s never speak again of the events of that night.”

  “I do agree,” Serena nodded.

  There was a moment’s silence, a long moment, and then Justin said quietly,

  “But there is one thing I wish to hear and one which I think I am entitled to be told.”

  “What is that?” Serena asked him.

  “What you were going to impart to me when you wrote asking me to speak with you in your bedchamber,” Justin said. “I came in response to your note, but I was – too late.”

  Serena was very still.

  Then she took a deep breath and her lips moved, but the words would not come.

  She looked down at her flowers before she placed them on a little table beside her.

  Justin was watching her, and after a moment he said,

  “Will you not tell me, Serena?”

  Serena moistened her lips and linked her fingers together.

  “Yes,” she said. “Yes, I want to. It’s just that it is very difficult to put into words.”

  “Very difficult?” Justin enquired.

  “Very difficult,” Serena answered gravely.

  Again there was a pause and then at last she began.

  “My Lord – ”

  “My name is Justin!”

  Serena blushed. Somehow it was terribly difficult to say his name.

  “Well – Justin – ” she stammered at length. “When we were at Vulcan House after we – we were – married, I-I told you something.”

  Justin frowned a little as if he was trying to recollect the conversation.

  “You told me something?”

  “Yes, my Lor – I mean, Justin,” Serena went on. “I told you that – that I was – in love with – with someone.”

  “Oh, yes, I remember now.”

  “I promised you once,” Serena said in a very low voice, “that I would always tell you the truth. Well, what I told you then – was the truth but – not the truth – as you – as you believed it.”

  Justin looked puzzled.

  “I regret I do not exactly take your meaning.”

  “It is so terribly difficult – to explain,” Serena said desperately, “but – when I said I was in love – with someone – I was indeed in love – with someone.”

  “That makes it much plainer!” Justin said with an amused smile.

  “Oh dear,” Serena sighed. “You see – I was in love – I mean – I am in love – with somebody – but – but it is not who you think it is.”

  “Ah, now I am beginning to see daylight,” Justin said. “You mean I am suspecting the wrong person.”

  Serena nodded.

  “Yes.”

  “But, if my recollection is not at fault, you did not reveal this most fortunate person’s name.”

  “Oh, no!”

  There was a pause.

  “Yet now I think of it,” Justin said, knitting his brows, “I believe I ventured to mention someone whom I suspected of receiving your favour.”

  “Yes – yes, you did.”

  “But my supposition was incorrect?”

  “Entirely.”

  “Then I must apologise in all sincerity.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And now you will tell me who the right and most enviable person may be?”

  “Yes,” Serena murmured.

  “That is excellent,” Justin said. “Such frankness will clear away all misunderstanding.”

  “It is – ”

  Serena paused.

  First she was pale, then her cheeks were crimson, now she was pale again. Her fingers, linked together, were twisted in each other a little desperately.

  “Will you not you trust me?” Justin asked softly.

  She was looking down at her hands, but suddenly she raised her eyes to his and he saw that they were full of tears.

  “I – cannot,” she whispered. “I cannot – say it.”

  In two strides he was across the space between them and was beside her.

  “Oh, my darling,” he said, “what a brute I am to tease you! It is only for the exquisite joy of watching your face and of wanting to hear your lips speak the words I so greatly desire to hear, more than I have ever wanted anything in the whole of my life.”

  For a moment the world stood still and then, with an effort, Justin went on speaking.

  “I dare not touch you yet,” he said and his voice was hoarse. “There are things that I must say to you or else they will never be said.
I wish you to know, my beloved, that I have loved you from the very first moment I saw you when you stood at the top of the staircase at Staverley Court. I loved you because you were so utterly different from anyone I had ever known or seen in my life before and yet, because I was cynical, because I had been disillusioned so often and so completely by other women, I doubted what I saw with my own eyes.”

  He sighed before he carried on,

  “Always I was afraid to obey the instincts of my own heart, always I was trying to catch you out, to find you less pure and less fine, than you appeared. I could not believe, you see, that anyone could be so beautiful, so perfect as you and come to me unsullied and unspoilt.”

  Serena was listening to him intently as he went on,

  “Though I have loved you, I have crucified myself with my own doubts. There are many things you will have to teach me, Serena, one of them being to have faith. I lost my faith many years ago because all the ideals I cherished fell in fragments about me. But in you everything that I once believed in and everything that I know is good and perfect has been re-created. Together, darling, we can live for those things, the real things in life, because you have always known them and you can show me what is worth having.”

  His voice ceased and he stood looking down at her.

  Then at last he held out his arms with a gesture of utter simplicity and yet utterly commanding.

  “I want you, Serena,” he said softly, “but first of all I want to hear you say whom it is you love.”

  Now, at last she could resist him no longer. Her eyes were held by his for one moment, her lips trembled and, as the colour rushed headlong into her cheeks, she whispered,

  “I love – you, Justin.”

  Then her face was against his shoulder, hidden there, and his arms were round her.

  He held her closely for a second before he placed his hand under her chin and turned her face up to his. She was trembling, but in utter happiness.

  There was so much ecstasy in that moment that it seemed as if something Divine enveloped them both.

  Then his mouth was on hers.

  She quivered for one second before she surrendered herself, utterly and completely. She knew then his strength, she knew then how strong and masterful he would always be and she gloried in it.

  His kiss, demanding, possessive and passionate, seemed to draw her very soul between her lips, and then she felt herself lifted high against his heart and heard him say in a tone of supreme triumph,

  “Mine – my darling, my wife – my perfect love.”

  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 Heaven

  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

  In Love In Lucca

  The Karma Of Love

  Magic For The Heart

  Paradise Found

  Only Love

  A Duel with Destiny

  The Heart of the Clan

  The Ruthless Rake

  Revenge is Sweet

  Fire on the Snow

  A Revolution of Love

  Love at the Helm

  Listen to Love

  Love Casts out Fear

  The Devilish Deception

  Riding in the Sky

  The Wonderful Dream

  This Time it’s Love

  The River of Love

/>   A Gentleman in Love

  The Island of Love

  Miracle for a Madonna

  The Storms of Love

  The Prince and the Pekingese

  The Golden Cage

  Theresa and a Tiger

  The Goddess of Love

  Alone in Paris

  The Earl Rings a Belle

  The Runaway Heart

  From Hell to Heaven

  Love in the Ruins

  Crowned with Love

  Love is a Maze

  Hidden by Love

  Love is the Key

  A Miracle in Music

  The Race for Love

  Call of the Heart

  The Curse of the Clan

  Saved by Love

  The Tears of Love

  Winged Magic

  Born of Love

  Love Holds the Cards

  A Chieftain Finds Love

  The Horizons of Love

  The Marquis Wins

  A Duke in Danger

  Warned by a Ghost

  Forced to Marry

  Sweet Adventure

  Love is a Gamble

  Love on the Wind

  Looking for Love

  Love is the Enemy

  The Passion and the Flower

  The Reluctant Bride

  Safe in Paradise

  The Temple of Love

  Love at First Sight

  The Scots Never Forget

  The Golden Gondola

  No Time for Love

  Love in the Moon

  A Hazard of Hearts

  Just Fate

  THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND

  Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

  Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

  Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.