She stood back and let him enter first.
He was talking about the kittens, trying to tell Carina the names he had chosen for them.
Then his voice died away on his lips as he saw who stood inside the room.
For a moment he was still and then with a shout, a high, excited, joyous cry that seemed to rend the hearts of those who listened, he ran forward and flung himself against the little man.
There was no mistaking their happiness at the reunion. There was no mistaking that Dipa had in fact found his father, his own flesh and blood.
They chattered away in their own language, which sounded somehow like a paean from two happy songbirds.
Lord Lynche led them into another room and ordered food for Dipa’s father.
Then he came back into the drawing room, closing the door behind him. He stood for a moment watching Carina as she waited by the fireplace.
“I will settle a large sum of money on them,” he said, almost as if he was speaking to himself. “Dipa shall be a rich man when he grows up.”
“I don’t think that Dipa will worry about money,” Carina answered. “He has now what is much more important – happiness.”
Slowly Lord Lynche crossed the room to her side.
“And you?” he asked. “Are you happy?”
“In a way I am sorry,” she answered. “I should have liked that little cottage somewhere on the estate. I wanted to look after you all by myself and to show you – ”
She stopped because his arms were around her and his lips were very close to hers.
“To show me what?” he asked in a low voice.
“Do you really want me to say it?” she enquired.
“I want it more than anything else in the world,” he replied. “I want you to say it until you make me believe it is true, until you convince me that I need not be afraid of losing you or I shall wake up and find that this is all a wonderful dream.”
She looked into his eyes and felt suddenly shy.
There was so much there that she had wanted to see and yet now she saw it, it made her tremulous and a little afraid not only of him but of her own feelings.
Unexpectedly he clasped her tightly to him.
“Say it!” he said half fiercely, but with an underlying tone of tenderness which seemed to make her heart turn over in her breast. “Say it.”
She felt the flames of ecstasy sweep over her and her happiness was almost too great to be borne.
Then, hardly above a whisper, because, as she spoke her lips touched his, she said,
“I love you. Oh, my darling Justin, I love you – so very very much – ”
His mouth was on hers smothering the last word.
The world stood still.
And everything else was forgotten.
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
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?
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
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
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 Fire of Love
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2015
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1964
eBook conversion by M-Y Books