Lucky Logan Finds Love by Barbara Cartland

thought – you would be very – serious and so intent on making – money that you rarely – thought about anything else – my Lord!”
    Marcus Logan’s eyes twinkled.
    “I had no idea,” he said, “that that was the impression people get from reading the rubbish that is written about me in the newspapers.”
    “Is it – rubbish?” Belinda enquired.
    “Of course it is!” he answered. “What they don’t know, they invent! While I have made, as doubtless you have read, many discoveries which have benefitted a great number of people including myself, I have enjoyed every minute of my travels, just because I love travelling.”
    “I never thought of that, my Lord,” Belinda admitted.
    “I suppose nobody else has either, but it happens to be true.”
    “And yet you have found – diamonds and other valuable minerals in the countries you have been to”
    “I have made little countries prosperous that were badly in need of the money,” Lord Logan replied. “If you want the truth, that is why I have gone East rather than West because so much there has been unexplored and the people themselves are badly in need of help.”
    “I never – expected you would – think like that.”
    “So you have been thinking about me?”
    It was a question that frightened her.
    There was a pregnant pause before Belinda said,
    “I am – naturally, interested, mu Lord, especially as I was coming here hoping your mother would engage me as her reader.”
    “And who told you she wanted one?” Lord Logan asked.
    This was a question Belinda had not expected. She tried frantically to remember what her stepfather had said.
    Finally, because it was easier, she told the truth.
    “My family,” she said hesitatingly, “has – had bad news and I found I had to – earn my own living.”
    “And this was the first place you came to?”
    Belinda nodded.
    She had the idea that his eyes were penetratingly taking in her appearance and the expensive gown she wore.
    He seemed to be trying to work out why she should need to earn money as his mother’s reader.
    It suddenly struck Belinda as strange that neither she nor Lady Logan had talked about what wages she would receive.
    She was sure that it had been very impractical of her.
    It might also make Lord Logan suspicious.
    She put aside the book and said,
    “I think – perhaps I should – go to see if – her Ladyship needs me.”
    “If that is an excuse to leave me,” Marcus Logan replied, “I find it slightly insulting. In any case, I have been informed by the servants that my mother is sleeping and will not be woken until four o’clock.”
    “D-do you – want me to stay?” Belinda asked.
    She was longing to go, frightened that he would question her further.
    At the same time she was nervous of doing anything that was not correct.
    Looking at her, Marcus Logan thought she was the prettiest young woman he had ever seen.
    Yet he was aware that her eyes were frightened and he was curious to know why.
    “I would like you to stay, Miss Brown,” he said aloud, “for the simple reason that I want to discuss with you what you are going to read to my mother – ”
    He paused a moment and then continued,
    “I think I can tell you better than anyone else what her tastes are in reading.”
    “Yes – of course, my Lord,” Belinda said meekly.
    She twisted her fingers together as she spoke, hoping she would not say anything foolish or make the man facing her in any way suspicious.
    There was no reason, she tried to reassure herself, why he should be.
    However, her conscience was pricking her and she was terrified that he might be aware of it.
    “What I want you to tell me,” Marcus Logan said, “is which languages you are proficient in. In return I will tell you which of my books are the most interesting.”
    “I can speak Persian – ” Belinda began,
    “You have been there?” Marcus Logan interrupted.
    “No, I have never had the opportunity of travelling, but I can speak the