She rose from her knees a little comforted. It was only now that she realised how alone she was. Her aunt had gone and there was nothing for her to do but to go back to England and find work that would at least keep her from starvation.
She stood still looking down at the Duchesse, the lines had gone from her face and she looked younger and really beautiful as she lay there.
Gardenia felt the tears coming and told herself that she must not give way, there was so much for her to do and so much to plan.
She saw that the little grey book of the Baron’s was on the eiderdown and she picked it up. Nothing of the Baron’s should be beside her aunt now. He had murdered her as surely as if he fired a pistol at her and she only hoped that, when her aunt’s death was announced, he would realise what he had done.
Almost angrily, because she hated even the thought of him, she pulled open the door into the sitting room. The room was full of sunlight and for a moment, after the darkness of her aunt’s room, it was difficult for her to see.
Then she saw that there was a man in the room, a man standing looking out through the open window towards the sea.
For a moment Gardenia thought it must be the Baron and then something in the shape of the head and set of the shoulders made a sudden flame flicker through her and she quivered as though she had suddenly come to life.
“Gardenia!”
He turned from the window and came quickly towards her.
“Lord H-Hartcourt!” she stammered his name, her voice hardly above a whisper.
“The train was late,” he began, “and they told me you were out. I was waiting until you returned.”
“You came to see me?”
Her eyes were searching his face. She thought it must be imagination or the sunlight, but he was looking at her with an expression that made her heart pound in her breast.
He took her right hand in his and touched her cold fingers with his lips. .
“My darling,” he said. “I came to ask you if you will honour me by becoming my wife.”
“Oh, no, no.”
She could hear herself crying out the words.
Then her hand was freed and she walked blindly away from him to hold onto the sofa.
“You have not forgiven me,” Lord Hartcourt said. “I don’t blame you. I could kill myself for being so stupid, for hurting you as I did, for humiliating you and for my own stupidity.”
“No,” Gardenia replied. “It was not that ‒ I just did not understand.”
“I saw it all afterwards,” Lord Hartcourt said in a low voice. “I was so blind, so stupid. I must have seemed to you an insufferable cad. Forgive me, Gardenia. If you will marry me, I will be the happiest man in the world, no, the Universe.”
“No, stop,” Gardenia pleaded. “Please stop. I have something to say to you and I want to say it first. You must listen to me.”
“But, of course, my darling,” he answered. “I will listen to anything you want me to.”
Gardenia then dropped the little grey book down on the soft cushions of the sofa. It had suddenly ceased to be of any importance.
It was only much later that she was to learn what a blow she had struck at German pride and Diplomacy.
“I so want to tell you,” she said in a voice which trembled, “that I realised after I had left Paris how blind, stupid and childish I have been. You see I had been brought up very simply. I did not understand that a woman like my aunt could be a Duchesse and yet belong not to Society but to the Demi-Monde. It was only when I knew and when she explained to me what her life had been that I understood exactly what you and Mr. Cunningham expected of – me.”
Lord Hartcourt would have spoken, but she put her hand up to stop him.
“Of course that was what you thought,” Gardenia insisted. “It was only that I did not understand. So everything you said and did bewildered me so and when you kissed me,” her voice faltered for a moment before she continued steadily, “and I knew that I – loved you, I thought, of course, that meant we would be – married and be together forever.”
“That is what it should have meant,” Lord Hartcourt said, his voice deep with emotion.
“But I just did not understand,” she continued, “until that day in the restaurant and when I asked you if you meant to marry me and you said ‘no’, I thought the end of my world had come. I was ashamed and humiliated and, I suppose, in a way disgusted.”
“My darling, forgive me,” Lord Hartcourt murmured.
“No, let me finish, please,” Gardenia said. “But I have been thinking about it afterwards. I understand now what Aunt Lily has made of her life and what in a kind of way, because I am her niece, she has made of mine. So I – thought that if I ever saw you again and, if when you – saw me you still – wanted me, I would come to you – and live with you – because I love you and as I understand now it is better to have a little happiness in life than none at all.”
There was a pause and then Lord Hartcourt with a sort of strangled exclamation went down on one knee and taking the hem of Gardenia’s dress in his hands raised it to his lips.
“This is what I think of you,” he said hoarsely, “my stupid, ridiculous, wonderful little love. I am not worthy to kiss the hem of your dress. No, Gardenia. Do you really think that I only want you in that way? I thought I did! I was stupid, conceited, arrogant and stuck-up and altogether a fool because I did not comprehend that I had been offered the most wonderful and perfect thing any man could ask for in life. The true and real love of someone who was innocent, trusting and unspoiled by the wicked world.”
He rose to his feet.
He was very close to her and Gardenia held her breath.
“I love you,” he said softly. “I love you and so I want you and only you to be my wife. I have known a lot of women but I have never, and this is the truth, Gardenia, asked one of them to marry me and so I don’t want you on any other terms, I want you as my wife, as the mother of my children, as the woman I love with all my heart and soul and worship because she is pure and perfect.”
Gardenia was trembling, but it was with happiness that was almost too great to be borne.
“Oh, Vane,” she said unsteadily, “I love you ‒ so terribly.”
He swept her into his arms, his lips found hers and she knew then that nothing in the world mattered to either of them except for this wild, glorious, passionate and overwhelming love which seemed to consume them both like a flame, leaping higher and higher.
“I love you,” Lord Hartcourt said, not once but a dozen times and then again, “I love, you. Oh, Gardenia, I love you.”
Time stood still and it might have been a century later that Gardenia drew herself from his arms.
“There is something I have to tell you,” she then said,
“Let me just go on looking at you,” Lord Hartcourt smiled. “I don’t think there has ever been anyone so beautiful in the whole world,”
He would have kissed her again, but she put up her hand and laid it against his lips.
“Please, Vane, you must listen to me. Aunt Lily is dead. She had taken all her sleeping tablets. I think in a way her whole world had come to an end.”
Lord Hartcourt nodded.
“That is the truth. That was one of the things I was going to tell you. The warrant is out for her arrest, she could never under any circumstances go back to France.”
“But, you do see, all her money and possessions are in France,” Gardenia explained.
“I was afraid of that, my love, and even if she had gone to England things might have been difficult. Bertie told me that he had advised you to go to Monte Carlo and it was the best thing he could possibly have done.”
“Bertie was very kind,” Gardenia said. “Without him we would never have got away.”
“Had I known about it. I would have come with you,” Lord Hartcourt said. “As it was, I waited for one thing only, Gardenia, and that was to hand in my resignation.”
“You have resigned!” s
he exclaimed.
“Yes,” Lord Hartcourt smiled. “I am going to live in England with my wife. My estates need attention, I shall have plenty to occupy me. Besides I want desperately to be with you.”
“Are you sure, quite sure?” Gardenia asked a little tremulously, “that I am the right wife for you? What will people say and think?”
“I would not care what they say or what they think,” Lord Hartcourt said. “But they are going to have nothing to say, not because it worries me, but because in the future it might well worry you. I am going to take you back to England at once, Gardenia. The fact that your aunt is dead is going to make things easier, as it happens, and there will be no scandal about that because, if there is one thing that the authorities in Monte Carlo hate, it is a suicide. They will announce that the Duchesse has died of a heart attack. We can leave it all in their hands.”
“You mean that I am to go away at once?” Gardenia asked.
“At once,” Lord Hartcourt said. “I am not going to have you making any more decisions. I am going to look after you, Gardenia, as I ought to have done from the very beginning. I am going to take you back to England to my mother. She is a very understanding person, but there will be no need for her to know too much. She lives in a world of innocence where people like the Duchesse and the Demi-Monde of Paris have never encroached.”
Gardenia gave a little sigh.
“It sounds safe and very wonderful.”
“You are quite certain you want to marry me?” Lord Hartcourt asked her softly.
“I know only that I want to be with you now and for always,” Gardenia said simply.
“Oh, my darling one, that is exactly the right answer, I love you for now for ever and for the whole of 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.