Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland

undertake such a journey on your behalf,” answered Robina, thrilled that she might at last be able to view the artist’s studio.
    Next Marriott came in to ask when they would care for luncheon.
    â€œGoodness, is it time to eat again already?” laughed Robina, who had lost all track of the hours since she had entered the study.
    â€œLuncheon will be a little late today, miss.”
    â€œAnd it would appear that your dreaded stepmother has not yet come crashing into Hampton Castle as you had feared,” added the Earl.
    â€œYes, but I am wondering if Papa is concerned by my absence. We have grown so apart since my return from France. He seems preoccupied with my Stepmama. For instance, it’s the anniversary of Mama’s death this Saturday and when I visited the local florist, she said that he had yet to put in his order for flowers.”
    â€œI am certain it is the case that your father is simply overwhelmed by the building works that are happening at your home.”
    â€œI do hope so, as he has not said a word to me about the arrangements for visiting her grave and there is so little time now.”
    As they continued their work, Robina had an awful feeling that he had forgotten all about it.
    â€˜Much as I don’t wish to return home this evening, I must,’ she decided with her heart sinking at the thought.
    *
    The afternoon sped past as quickly as the morning had done.
    Neither the Earl nor Robina stopped to take the tea brought in by Marriott at four o’clock, which stood on the side table growing cold.
    As it grew ever later, Robina kept one eye upon the clock, knowing she would have to take her leave before it got too late.
    â€œWill you be staying for dinner tonight?” asked the Earl hopefully, as the clock struck half-past-five.
    â€œNo, I am afraid I must return home and face up to whatever is thrown at me. But thank you for the offer.”
    â€œYou must think of this as your second home,” said the Earl, rising to ring for Marriott to request that Firefly be made ready for Robina.
    â€œI am grateful for your kind offer, but really, I shall be quite all right. If I don’t return in the morning, though, then promise me that you will send a carriage for me.”
    â€œDo you really think that your stepmother will try to keep you at the house against your will?”
    â€œWith her stubbornness there is no knowing what she might do. Stepmama is accustomed to getting her own way and considering the feelings of others appears to mean little to her. She will want to put her foot down firmly with me over the matter of Lord Drury.”
    â€œBut she cannot force you to marry him!”
    â€œShe will do her best. It is in her interests that I am removed from home as soon as possible. I also cannot rule out the possibility that she will send me packing back to France.”
    â€œSurely your father will not allow that?”
    â€œPapa seems to bend to the will of Stepmama these days,” answered Robina with a sigh. “He cares not for my feelings or desires.”
    â€œI just cannot believe it,” remarked the Earl, putting away his papers and plans.
    â€œI would not have believed it had it not happened to me,” answered Robina sadly.
    She was thinking of the impending anniversary.
    There was a silence as she tidied her desk.
    As she did so, she could feel the Earl’s eyes on her and something made her wary of looking up.
    His stare unnerved yet excited her at the same time.
    She could tell that he was appreciating her beauty rather than her efficiency.
    â€˜It is very flattering that he thinks I am attractive, but I must remind myself that he is my employer and thus it is impossible for there to be anything at all between us. Besides I am resolute in my desire to remain unmarried for as long as possible.’
    Outside the Earl lingered as she mounted Firefly, who had been well rested and was champing at the bit to gallop over