Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland

do not know,” the Marquis acknowledged, shaking his head. “You see, we will not be the only guests at Marlborough House, and I am afraid that the Prince, who can be most talkative, will want to tell them all our secret. In fact, if he is telling people that you have managed to ensnare me and the Conté is doing the same, we might as well announce our engagement in The Times right away!”
    He spoke bitterly with a touch of anger in his voice.
    Then he saw that Lanthia, who was perched on the arm of a chair, was looking upset.
    â€œI am very sorry,” she said. “Perhaps it would be better if I just returned to the country immediately and then they would have nothing to gossip about.”
    â€œI think such a move would give them a great deal to discuss. I am beginning to fear that this masquerade, in which you have been forced to take part, will harm us as much as the Conté intends it to do.”
    â€œThen what can we do?” asked Lanthia. “Perhaps Papa and Mama will be angry that I took part in it.”
    â€œBut you were kind enough to save my life. Thus we have to be very clever and somehow extract ourselves from this dreadful mess, which is of course a deadly game that the Conté is playing to the full.”
    Lanthia sat back in the chair and clasped her hands in her lap.
    â€œI am sure you will think of something. If only Mr. Richard Burton was staying in the hotel, I am sure he could help us. He managed to extract himself from very many dangerous situations when just a casual word would have brought about his death.”
    The Marquis looked at her in surprise.
    â€œDo you know Richard Burton?” he enquired.
    â€œOh, I wish I did! He was staying in this hotel only a few months ago and it would have been so wonderful to have seen him.”
    The Marquis was astonished.
    There was a note of admiration in her voice that he was accustomed to hear only when a lady was talking about him .
    â€œWhy are you so impressed with Burton?” he asked. “I have met him once or twice and naturally I much admire him and his many achievements.”
    â€œYou have met him?” enthused Lanthia excitedly. “Oh, how lucky you are! I have read and re-read his books and, as I have just said, I am sure he would think of a way out of this difficult situation.”
    â€œBurton is certainly a past-master at disguise and of course a great explorer, which is why we had something in common when we met.”
    Lanthia looked at him with what he thought was an incredulous expression.
    â€œAre you saying that you are an explorer too?”
    â€œI have certainly travelled a great deal,” replied the Marquis. “I have not been to Mecca like Richard Burton, but I have explored many other parts of the unknown world which I must say I found totally fascinating.”
    Lanthia sat forward in her chair.
    â€œOh, I do hope you will tell me about it,” she cried. “Papa has told me all about his travels, and once when I was young he and Mama took me with them. I always hoped that when I had finished my education they would take me again.”
    She gave a little sigh
    â€œNow I think they are too old, so I will just have to travel and explore the world in my mind. Although I find it all very thrilling, it is not quite the same as if I was really climbing a mountain or riding a camel across the desert!”
    â€œYou do astonish me, Lanthia, I have never yet met a woman of your age who wanted to do either of those things!”
    â€œThose and so many more. I long to look at the Sphinx and discover its many secrets and I want more than anything else to visit Greece and see the shining cliffs of Delphi.”
    Now there was a rapt note in her voice, which made the Marquis stare at her.
    He knew she was speaking with all sincerity and it astonished him that any woman should feel so elated and so excited just by the idea of exploring.
    It was like what he felt