“I have changed my mind,” the Marquis replied. “I thought for a change that we might tonight have dinner at a restaurant. I believe there are some very good ones in Marseilles.”
“In a – restaurant?” Valessa exclaimed.
It was something that she had never done and knew it would be very exciting.
What was more she would be with the Marquis and he was not sending her away – not yet.
He sat down on the side of the bed facing her and then he said,
“As we may be late, I thought that, as you were resting, I might do the same. Perhaps we could rest together.”
She felt her heart give an excited leap.
Then she realised that his lips were very near to hers and she felt the same thrilling sensations running through her as there had been last night.
“I-I would – like that,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?” the Marquis enquired.
She looked into his eyes and could not look away.
“I don’t want to frighten you,” he said.
“I am not – frightened with – you, how could – I be?”
She thought that he would kiss her and her lips trembled. Instead he took off his robe and got into bed beside her.
For a moment she could hardly believe it was happening.
Then, as very gently he put his arms around her, she made a little murmur and hid her face against his neck.
“I wanted to hold you like this last night,” the Marquis said, “but I was afraid that, if I came to your cabin, you would think of me as an ogre!”
“Not as – an ogre,” Valessa whispered, “but – as The Man in the Moon!”
“Why the Man in the Moon?”
“Because he is – out of reach.”
He pulled her a little closer.
“I am not out of reach, Valessa, and I want to kiss you!”
He waited.
Very slowly, because she was shy, she turned her face up to his.
He felt her tremble and knew that it was not with fear.
Then slowly, as if he wanted to savour the moment, his lips were on hers.
Valessa realised that this was what she had wanted.
She had been so desperately afraid that when he had kissed her last night that his kiss had meant goodbye.
Instinctively, without thinking, she moved nearer to him.
His heart was beating against hers.
She felt that both the moon and the sun were shimmering through her body and that she was no longer herself but his.
She did not understand her feelings. But she wanted to give him not only her lips but her heart and everything else that was hers.
She wanted to become a part of him, to be even closer than they were at this moment.
He kissed her eyes and, as he did so, she said,
“I-I love you – I – love you!”
“That is what I want you to say,” the Marquis answered and his voice was very deep and unsteady.
“I-I did not – know that love was – like this,” Valessa whispered.
“Like what?”
“I feel as if I am no – longer me, but belong – to you and, as you are in the – moon, then I must be – there too!”
“My precious love,” the Marquis said, “how could I ever be alone again without you?”
Then he was kissing her straight little nose, her cheeks and the softness of her neck.
It was then that Valessa felt as if the sun had turned to fire.
Her whole body was burning with a strange ecstasy.
It made her want something that was out of reach. Yet in some strange way it was the Marquis.
“I want you,” he said. “God, how I want you! But you must help me, my lovely one, to be very gentle and not frighten you.”
“I am not – afraid.”
“Are you quite, quite sure?”
“Quite sure – but please – go on loving me – and kissing me.”
She lifted her lips once again saying,
“I-I thought you were – going to – leave me.”
“I will never leave you,” the Marquis said. “You are mine, my lovely one! Mine for all time. And for ever!”
“I-I can stay – with you?”
“You can stay with me so that I can teach you about love.”
“That is – what I want! Teach me – teach me and make me – love you as you – want to be loved.”
“I just want you as you are,” the Marquis sighed.
He thought as he spoke that she was perfect and everything that he had ever wanted in his wife.
But how could he have imagined for one instant that he would find her in such strange circumstances?
He knew, although it did not really matter, that he had turned the tables completely on Sarah and Harry Grantham.
When they learned who they had married him to, they would know that they had made complete fools of themselves.
Sarah’s revenge was, as far as he was concerned, very sweet.
It was of no consequence, he thought, who Valessa was or where she came from.
His love was so great that, if she had really come from the gutter, he would have still loved her.
But from her point of view, although she would not understand that she was who she was, it made all the difference.
No one would hurt her, no one would sneer.
His family would be delighted that his wife was related to them by blood and that her grandfather was so distinguished.
The Marquis then knew that he had won again.
Yet nothing mattered except that Valessa should be happy.
He would protect her, look after her and love her for the rest of their lives.
He knew, because they had both suffered, that they would be better parents to their children.
Also kinder to people who searched for love, as they had done.
Then, because Valessa was so soft and sweet and had ignited a flame within him, he was kissing her again.
He kissed her until they were together in the moon, which shone far above the mundane world and were as Gods.
Valessa’s heart was beating as frantically as his and her breath was coming quickly from between her parted lips.
Her eyes were shining with a radiance that came from God.
The Marquis very gently, very lovingly made her his.
Now the sun was casting its golden glow all around them.
The fire from it burnt through their bodies, their hearts and their souls. It lifted them in a spiritual ecstasy up into the sky.
They were in the moon where nothing could hurt them and their love encircled them like the stars.
It was a love that would grow and strengthen all through their lives.
It was a love that would carry them into Eternity together.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
The Peril and the Prince
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
In Love In Lucca
The Karma Of Love
Magic For The Heart
Paradise Found
Only Love
A Duel with Destiny
The Heart of the Clan
The Ruthless Rake
Revenge is Sweet
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
Revenge is Sweet
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2015
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953
eBook conversion by M-Y Books