His arms went around her and he drew her very slowly closer and closer to him as if he savoured the moment.
Then his lips were on hers and it was a rapture that was somehow part of the sun, the sky and the sea as well as the loveliness and timelessness of the moors beyond The Castle.
It seeped through her so that it was almost impossible to breathe, to think or to move.
She only knew that the Earl was carrying her up into the sky.
He kissed her again and again until she could no longer think but only feel and know that she was so enchanted to the point where she was no longer human but a part of the beauty of Scotland.
The Earl raised his head.
“I love you, my beautiful darling,” he said. “I fell in love with your voice the moment I first heard it.”
“I-I did not – know you – f-felt like that,” Vara murmured, “and I was – so afraid that now – now you can see – you would not – need me any more – and you would then – send me away.”
“Not need you?” the Earl exclaimed. “Can you imagine the agonies I have been through, knowing that sooner or later you might leave me and I could not ask you to stay any longer?”
“I would have – stayed, you know – I would have stayed!” Vara cried.
“Dancing attendance on a blind man?” he asked. “That would be no life for a woman, especially someone as beautiful as you!”
“I would have – stayed with you,” Vara insisted, “for I too must have – loved you when I first – saw you, but I did not know – it was love – until yesterday when I was taking you – to Mother MacKay and I thought that – if she h-healed you, you would – want to go back to the – beautiful women who pursued you in London and in Simla.”
The Earl laughed and it was a very happy sound.
“Of course there have been women in my life,” he said, “but, my precious, and this is the truth, I have never been in love as I am in love with you!”
“Can it – really be – different?” Vara asked him.
“So different that it is going to take me a lifetime to tell you how different you are and how much you mean to me,” the Earl replied. “You are a part of me, my darling one, and I am a part of you just as I know now that I am a part of Scotland.”
He gave a short laugh as he said,
“I fought so hard against feeling like this. I thought it could not be true, just part of my imagination. But I could not deny the call of my blood and as you talked to me about the Clan and taught me how I should behave as their Chieftain, I found myself thinking of them and knowing that I could not live without you.”
He kissed her forehead before he went on,
“And, my precious Vara, you have told me how much there is to do on the estate and in the community, so we will get it done together.”
“That is – what I have – longed for,” Vara whispered, “but – I felt it could not be – true.”
Her voice broke on the words and she hid her face against his shoulder.
The Earl gazed at her lovingly and went down on one knee before he asked,
“Will you marry me, my darling Vara, and make me the happiest man in the world. And I believe that the Clan will be very happy too. We will invite everyone to come to a huge party at The Castle to celebrate our Wedding and they will all be able to see how much we love each other.”
He held her very close and then gently he put his fingers under her chin and turned her face up to his.
He saw the tears in her eyes and exclaimed,
“You are not crying, my lovely one?”
“I am – crying from sheer – happiness,” Vara sobbed. “I-I cried last night – because I thought I had lost you – but now I am so – h-happy that I don’t know how to – express it in words. And, of course, I would love to marry you and spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
“Words for us are unnecessary,” the Earl smiled.
Then he was kissing her again.
He kissed her until The Castle seemed to twirl dizzily around them.
They were flying up in the sky, higher and higher until Vara felt that they were far away from the earth.
They were enveloped by the spirit of Scotland.
Then below them came the sounds of the pipes as the Piper walked around The Castle to herald the start of a new day.
The wonderful music from the pipes seemed to join with the ecstasy within them.
The Earl drew Vara closer and closer.
She felt as if they were no longer two people but one, indivisibly and for ever.
They were part of the Clan and a part of Scotland from which they knew that they would never be able to leave.
It was theirs, like their love, 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
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.
The Eyes of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2020
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1963
eBook conversion by M-Y Books