Love Drives In by Barbara Cartland Page B

the doctor doubted that she would make much headway against that terrifying secretary.
    *
    The Earl remained officially an invalid for only one day, rising when he realised that Dorina was determined not to set foot in his room.
    On the second morning he confronted her in the office, where she was opening correspondence.
    "Thank you for not leaving," he said.
    "I promised to remain until your Lordship was recovered," she said primly.
    "I'm touched by your concern for my health, although it did not lead you to visit me."
    "There was no need," she said, without looking up. "Your valet was able to do all that was necessary."
    With dismay he saw that she was dressed to repel, in her plain blouse, her hair sleeked back severely. The sight told him that he had not been forgiven, and must tread carefully.
    "Let us look at the correspondence," he said, taking his cue from her.
    "There are some letters here that need your immediate attention – "
    She pushed them over to him and they settled down to work. He dictated replies until he could endure the atmosphere no longer, then he rose, saying,
    "I'm afraid I've piled rather a lot on to you. Will you be able to finish it all today?"
    If she had said, 'easily,' he would have given her more. He dreaded that she might slip away.
    But she said,
    "I may not get through all of it – "
    "Well, you can finish it off tomorrow. I'm going out now. When I return you can tell me about any problems that may have arisen."
    "I will do so, my Lord."
    She did not look up, and after a moment he departed.
    When she heard the front door close behind him, Dorina let her shoulders sag. She had been full of tension the whole time he had been there, knowing that she ought to leave this house, yet mysteriously unable to tear herself away.
    Could any man be worth what she had endured the other night?
    'My work is worth it,' she told herself. 'I must stay to learn more.'
    But then she remembered the tone of his voice as he had begged her forgiveness, and the feel of his lips on hers, and she knew that the real reason had nothing to do with work.
    In the early evening the Earl arrived home in a state of high excitement. He came straight to Dorina's office, his eyes shining.
    "Whatever has happened?" she asked, almost laughing as she saw his face.
    "I've been to one of my factories in another part of London and I have wonderful news."
    "Tell me," she said eagerly.
    "Recently you were asking me about the horseless carriage and I put you off. Well, now I can tell you that I have made a big step forward."
    Dorina gasped. To him this was a wonderful development, but she was torn two ways. She wanted his success, but she also wanted her own.
    "We're going to be the first," he said, seizing her hands eagerly. "Imagine that! It's a revolution, and we will be at the forefront, leading the world."
    "But – the other night you were talking as though it was a long time in the future."
    "I know. I was confused. I didn't dare let myself hope and talking about it seemed like bad luck. But now – now, I think I can hope, and the first person I wanted to tell was you. Do you understand why?"
    "Yes," she said slowly. "I think I do."
    She was pulled this way and that between joy and despair. He wanted to draw close to her, as close as she wanted to be with him. At the same time he threatened her greatest hopes. And he also made her realise how terrible it was that she could not be honest with him.
    Where did her loyalties lie? With her father's firm, of that she was sure. It had to be so.
    Yet this man could make her feel that nothing mattered but to be with him.
    He seemed to become aware that he was still holding her hands, and dropped them, suddenly self-conscious.
    "I want you to come with me now, and see my invention for yourself," he said, "because you are the only person who can fully understand. You have to see it, because if I describe it you won't believe it.
    "And I want to tell you everything, from the very beginning,