The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

bewilderment.
    â€œOh, I am sorry. I was so lost in the moment that I forgot myself. Luella, you are so very beautiful and you must know how I – ”
    â€œHush,” she said putting her fingers across his strong mouth. “It is not that I find you repellent, it is just that I don’t only have myself and my feelings to take into consideration. There is Aunt Edith.”
    â€œYes, of course. I apologise.” “It is not that I don’t like you, David, but I am not as quick to make up my mind as you are. We should proceed very carefully.”
    â€œNaturally. Whatever you wish,” he responded withdrawing from her.
    â€œI hope you understand. I must take care of Aunt Edith as I am all she has.”
    â€œYes, yes, you are right.” The Viscount moved towards the gramophone and took off the disc.
    â€œI am actually rather tired all of a sudden,” he said. “Would you excuse me? I think I shall retire for the evening.” It was now Luella’s turn to feel a little wrong-footed, but she was so torn with conflicting emotions that she simply nodded.
    â€œGoodnight, Luella, and thank you for a very special evening.”
    He bowed and left the room leaving Luella alone and confused.
    â€˜Damn my stupid impulsiveness,’ he hissed to himself, as he mounted the stairs two at a time. ‘I have probably frightened her away now – and that is the last thing I would wish to happen.’
    *
    All too soon Friday dawned and the Viscount realised that Luella would soon be leaving Torr House. He was surprised to see a queue of men outside the house by ten o’clock, all waiting to be interviewed for the post of gardener.
    â€˜She is a marvel,’ he thought, as Cork led the parade of candidates to the kitchen, where Luella was ready and waiting for them.
    Two hours later, Luella emerged from below stairs looking delighted.
    â€œTwo highly experienced gardeners will start at once,” she announced, throwing herself down onto a Chippendale chair in the library. “Cork is showing them the grounds and then will fetch me to instruct them where to begin.”
    â€œExcellent,” acknowledged the Viscount, looking up from his drawing board. He had barely sketched two lines since breakfast, instead preferring to go over and over in his mind the events of the previous evening.
    â€œThey will live out until the house is finished,” continued Luella. “How are your plans for the house coming along?”
    The Viscount sighed and put down his pencil.
    â€œSlowly. It is a difficult task and I have encountered a problem with where to site the orangery I had planned.”
    â€œDoes it have to be attached to the house?”
    â€œWell, no – ”
    â€œThen, what about the wall at the side of the lower terrace? The one nearest the kitchen? Could not a structure be erected there?”
    â€œOf course. Brilliant, simply brilliant!”
    â€œYou are not seeing the wood for the trees,” suggested Luella impishly.
    She got up and walked over to his drawing board and examined his drawings. She stood so close to the Viscount that he was almost overcome with love for her.
    â€œIt will be a very fine house,” she said appreciatively. “I do believe I would like to live in such a place.”
    Enraptured by her nearness the Viscount could not help himself.
    â€œYou could, Luella – if you agreed to be my wife!”
    Almost as soon as the words had left his lips, he realised he had made a grave error in giving voice to his feelings.
    Luella’s expression changed from rapt interest to chilly distance, as she moved away from the drawing board and towards the door.
    â€œI have just remembered, there is a letter I should write informing the servants at Aunt Edith’s home to make ready for our return. Much as we have enjoyed your hospitality, we are eager to see our own beds again. Now, if you will excuse me –