“You know now how – ignorant I am,” Kelda said humbly. “I did not – do anything –wrong?”
His arms tightened.
“Everything you did was right, perfect and more wonderful than I can ever tell you.”
“You will – teach me all about – love?”
“That is something I shall enjoy doing,” he replied, “and, my darling, it is love that will teach us both far better than anything else that we belong to each other.”
Kelda was silent for a moment.
And then she said,
“There is – something I want to – ask you.”
“What is it, my dearest heart?”
“When you – loved me, it was more – wonderful than anything I can say in words – but did you feel – different from the way you have – felt with – other women?”
He smiled very tenderly and put his fingers under her chin to turn her face up to his.
“I shall always tell you the truth and this, my very beautiful precious wife, is true, I have never before known such pleasure as you gave me last night.”
He spoke very solemnly, but Kelda gave a little cry of sheer happiness.
“That is all I wanted you to – say – because it means that I can give you – something that – no one else has – given you.”
She paused before she went on,
“I felt yesterday when I was so unhappy that all over again I had nothing. I was just a – ‘charity child’. But if I can give you what – no one else can do – then I am no longer poor and insignificant.”
“You will never be that again ever,” Lord Orsett vowed. “You have a place in my life that is more important and more essential than anything else I could ever possess.”
“Do you – really mean – that?”
“I swear to you that I mean it and it is true. This is what I have missed. This is what I wanted when I was young and idealistic and thought that I would never find in this lifetime.”
Kelda gave a sigh of sheer happiness.
Then she said,
“You do really – believe that if you were of no – importance and you had no money – no marvellous house, but was just an ordinary man, I should still love you as – I do now.”
“That is what I want to believe, but I want you to work very very hard, my darling love, to convince me.”
“I will – try – I will really try.”
Kelda put out her arm across his chest as if she wanted to reassure herself that he was really there.
As if he understood, he said,
“We have many years to convince each other about our love and, while you have been sleeping, I have been making plans.”
“What sort of – plans?”
“Plans to make you happy and what I know will be best for the wife who I worship and adore.”
“What are these – plans?”
“Nothing frightening,” he said reassuringly. “It is just that I have decided that, while we shall stay in Dakar in the winter, we will go to England in the summer.”
“Oh – no!”
“I think it right that you and also I, who have sadly neglected my responsibilities in the last few years, should go back to the land of our birth. I will open my house in London, but I think you will be happiest, and I know I will, on the estate I own in Leicestershire.”
He kissed her hair before he added,
“If nothing else, you will enjoy the horses that I intend to buy and we will ride together over the best hunting country in England.”
Just for a moment Kelda felt frightened.
Then she told herself that she must think of Lord Orsett.
He was still a young man and it would be a mistake for him to bury himself away from his roots and the people he should associate with and also from his responsibilities in the County that he belonged to.
She felt that her mother was guiding her to say the right thin and helping her at this particular moment and knowing instinctively that it was a crossroads not only in her life but in her beloved husband’s as well.
“Oh, darling,” she said with a note of passion in her voice, “wherever we are, I would be happy with – you. I will do whatever you want, but you must help me not to make – mistakes and not to – shame you in any way.”
She sensed Lord Orsett was moved by what she said, but before he could reply she went on,
“I have led such a very different life these last eight years since Mama and Papa died and I realise how ignorant I shall be of the Social world, the way to behave – what I should say – what I should do. But – if you are there and you will – teach me, I will not be – afraid.”
“I will never let you be afraid again,” he said. “So you must forgive me, my darling, for frightening you as I have in so many ways since you came here.”
He gave a laugh and added,
“You accused me that very first evening of trying to behave as if I was God. Now you are asking me to go on doing so.”
“This is different,” Kelda said, “because then you were acting with indifference or hatred – but now you are acting with – love and that is what – God does.”
“My precious, you have an answer for everything and I adore your clever little brain, but then I adore everything about you, your pretty face, your very revealing sensitive eyes, your lips and, of course, your body, which is now mine.”
His hands moved softly across her skin and Kelda felt the strange fire that he had kindled in her last night re-awaken within her.
She thought vaguely far away at the back of her mind that she had read somewhere of the fire of love but, when she felt it, it was different from anything she could possibly imagine.
She knew as it burned within her, that what she felt was the ecstasy of love, it was what she had longed for and it could only be there if two people were joined divinely as one and was too perfect ever to be described in words.
“How can I tell you how happy I am?” Lord Orsett asked. “I want you to be so happy that you are never angry or bitter again.”
He was kissing her eyes tenderly as she added,
“It is strange – but, when I was falling in – love with you, I kept thinking that you made me feel – safe and secure, which is something I had – longed for – and yet now I want to keep you safe and – protect you from being hurt or – unhappy.”
“That is what you must do, my darling,” Lord Orsett replied. “Now that I am so happy I realise how lonely and miserable I have been in the past. I told myself I was self-sufficient and that I wanted nothing. Then I found you and I was aware of how empty my life had been. Perhaps I have wasted these last years quite unnecessarily.”
Because she could not bear him to regret the past, Kelda said quickly,
“I am certain that is not true. The book you have written will be of inestimable benefit to Europeans who want to understand about Africa and indeed to the Africans themselves.”
“I would like to believe that.”
“I am sure it will be true and one day your children will be very proud that they have such a clever father.”
Kelda spoke without thinking and then, as she realised what she had said, the colour rose in her cheeks and she hid her face against him.
“My children!” Lord Orsett said quietly. “That is another thing that has been missing in my life.”
Once again he turned her face up to his,
“Will you give me a son, my dearest love? I would like him to be born in England in the house where I was born. I would be proud to think that I have provided posterity not only with a book about Africa but with a child to carry on my family name.”
“I shall – try very hard – not only to give you one son but – several.”
“And a daughter as beautiful as you.”
“If – that is what you – want,” she replied. “But – please don’t – love any of them more than me.”
“I was going to say the same to you,” he smiled “You are mine, Kelda
, mine completely and absolutely. I shall be jealous even of my own children if they take all your attention.”
“They will never do so,” Kelda answered, “because it is so wonderful for me after having been alone – an orphan and unwanted, to know that I am secure and safe. I want to stay like this – close in your arms for ever and ever – ”
“That is exactly what you will do,” Lord Orsett replied. “I have found you, my darling, when I did not believe you even existed and I will never lose you again, never.”
He looked down at her and, as he did so, she saw the fire growing in his eyes and felt the insistence of his hands against her body.
Then it seemed to her that the flames of the fire within her rose higher and still higher until they reached her lips and she wanted with a yearning that was agonising in its intensity for him to kiss her.
She lifted her lips and, as he held her captive, she felt as if the room was filled with sunshine, golden and glorious, and the angels were singing in Heaven
Then, as his heart beat on hers, she knew that they were riding on the rays of the sun into a Heaven that was all their own and would be for all Eternity.
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
From Hate to Love
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
Fire on the Snow
A Revolution of Love
Love at the Helm
Listen to Love
Love Casts out Fear
The Devilish Deception
Riding in the Sky
The Wonderful Dream
This Time it’s Love
The River of Love
A Gentleman in Love
The Island of Love
Miracle for a Madonna
The Storms of Love
The Prince and the Pekingese
The Golden Cage
Theresa and a Tiger
The Goddess of Love
Alone in Paris
The Earl Rings a Belle
The Runaway Heart
From Hell to Heaven
Love in the Ruins
Crowned with Love
Love is a Maze
Hidden by Love
Love is the Key
A Miracle in Music
The Race for Love
Call of the Heart
The Curse of the Clan
Saved by Love
The Tears of Love
Winged Magic
Born of Love
Love Holds the Cards
A Chieftain Finds Love
The Horizons of Love
The Marquis Wins
A Duke in Danger
Warned by a Ghost
Forced to Marry
Sweet Adventure
Love is a Gamble
Love on the Wind
Looking for Love
Love is the Enemy
The Passion and the Flower
The Reluctant Bride
Safe in Paradise
The Temple of Love
Love at First Sight
The Scots Never Forget
The Golden Gondola
No Time for Love
Love in the Moon
A Hazard of Hearts
Just Fate
The Kiss of Paris
Little Tongues of Fire
Love Under Fire
The Magnificent Marriage
Moon over Eden
The Dream and the Glory
A Victory for Love
A Princess in Distress
A Gamble with Hearts
Love Strikes a Devil
In the Arms of Love
Love in the Dark
Love Wins
The Marquis who Hated Women
Love is Invincible
Love Climbs in
The Queen Saves the King
The Duke Comes Home
Love Joins the Clans
The Power and the Prince
Winged Victory
Light of the Gods
The Golden Illusion
Never Lose Love
The Sleeping Princess
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.