A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland Page B

time and it was only a huge commotion outside that disturbed him from his labours.
    He attempted to continue, but the noise was just too great.
    Eventually he arose from the desk with a sigh and went to investigate.
    Opening the door, he was immediately confronted by an enormous stack of trunks. At once it dawned upon him who was at the bottom of it.
    â€˜Damn!’ he muttered, recalling that his mother had invited Lady Florence Waterton to stay at the Hall.
    He was just about to turn on his heel and retreat to the study when his mother came into the hall.
    â€œDarling, I am so glad you are still at home,” she said, looking a little flustered. “I was afraid that you might have gone out on Monty.”
    â€œNo, Mama, I am here,” he replied wearily.
    â€œGood. I want you to come and meet our guest!”
    â€œBut, Mama – ”
    His pleas fell on deaf ears. His mother could be a force of nature in moments like these, sweeping all before her. She had also, understandably, been buoyed up by the prospect of her eldest son changing his ways.
    â€œCome into the drawing room. Lady Waterton is just settling down after her journey. She is most anxious to see you!”
    He realised that the sooner he dispensed with the formal greetings, the sooner he could return to his desk so he duly followed his mother to the drawing room.
    There was, as he walked, the unmistakeable whiff of French perfume pervading the air. It was quite daringly strong for a lady, but then, had not this woman spent a lot of time on the Continent?
    As he entered the room, he was forced to clamp his jaws shut for fear of his mouth dropping open.
    While she was certainly attractive, as his mother had described, she was wearing what he thought was the most ridiculous costume he had seen for quite some time.
    It was so overdone that even Constance would have thought twice before wearing it in public.
    The first thing he observed was the hat – a huge concoction, pale-green straw with great sheaves of wheat and pine cones clamped around the crown fastened with an enormous dark-green ribbon under her chin.
    Lady Waterton extended her hand and looked up at him with sea-green eyes. There was a slightly reddish cast to her hair that hinted at Irish blood.
    He took the outstretched hand and kissed the green leather glove. His eyes swept over the rest of her attire and it was all he could do not to laugh, as it put him in mind of a pantomime outfit for Robin Hood .
    Her dress was sycamore green and sported heavy panniers of Madras muslin edged with embroidery.
    â€˜Does she believe that this is suitable attire for the country?’ he thought. ‘I had heard she was a woman of taste!’
    â€œYou will join us, I hope?” asked Lady Waterton. “I feel as if I know you already as your mother has told me so much about you.”
    The Earl cleared his throat.
    â€œAs much of a pleasure as it would be, I am afraid that I am currently engaged in a most important task that I cannot leave. But I shall see you at luncheon no doubt.”
    Lady Waterton smiled and bobbed her head a little making the wheat sheaves on her hat shudder.
    â€œYou shall!” she replied with a demure smile.
    With a short bow he returned to the study. He did not know whether to laugh or groan.
    As a precaution, he rang for Stringer and asked him not to let anyone disturb him again that morning.
    â€œEspecially the lady in green, my Lord?” he asked, impishly.
    â€œ Especially the lady in green, Stringer!”
    As the smirking butler left the room, the Earl gave thanks once more for good and faithful servants.
    Picking up his pencil he took a sheet of paper and began to sketch rough plans for the new dairy farm.
    By the time the gong sounded for luncheon, he had almost finished.
    Hearing footsteps outside that heralded the arrival of his mother and Lady Waterton on their way to the dining room, he rolled up his plans and decided that