The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland

”
    With a swishing of skirts, she left the room.
    The Viscount thumped his fist down on his drawing board.
    â€œDamn! Damn!” he cried. “Now, I have lost her. should not have blurted out what I was thinking. I am such a fool .”
    *
    He did not see Luella again until dinner that evening.
    Even the arrival of a new telephone, an event that had caused much excitement with the servants, did not appear to interest her when he had tried to demonstrate it.
    The Countess joined them, which served to make the atmosphere less strained.
    Luella looked lovelier than ever and it hurt the Viscount to see her act in such a cool manner towards him.
    â€œYou really must come and stay with us in Perthshire,” Aunt Edith was saying, enjoying Mrs. Cork’s minestrone soup. “Braemore Castle, although ancient and a little draughty, is splendid in August. You could come in time for the grouse.”
    The Viscount cast a glance at Luella and saw a look of dismay cross her features, so he replied,
    â€œThank you, but I shall be occupied here with the renovations. I intend to have the builders begin work the moment I have finished the plans. In fact some will be arriving next week to knock down some old outbuildings and I have taken your suggestion of siting the orangery near the kitchen, Luella.”
    â€œMy niece is a very clever young lady,” observed the Countess. “If she was a man, she would be the most successful in whichever field she chose to specialise.”
    â€œAunt, you are making me blush,” exclaimed Luella, putting down her spoon. “Besides, Lord Kennington is a most brilliant architect – of that I have no doubt.”
    When she spoke about him, Luella did not look directly at him and it hurt that she referred to him so formally. He loved to hear his name on her lips.
    â€œI shall be sorry to leave on Monday,” continued the Countess. “We shall go to London for a week – the coast should be clear and, no doubt, Frank Connolly will have given up chasing around trying to find us.”
    â€œYou are quite welcome to stay as long as you like,” offered the Viscount.
    â€œThank you, but we wish to return home after shopping in London. We have been away for long enough,” jumped in Luella.
    Her swift retort stung the Viscount and he resolved to speak with her alone as soon as he could.
    â€˜She is obviously deeply offended by my sudden proposal,’ he thought, ‘and I do not wish her to feel as if I am another troublesome pest in her life.’
    As they retired to the drawing room the Viscount took Luella to one side. “Luella, I fear I have upset you by proposing,” he said, as the Countess tactfully left them alone.
    She flushed deep scarlet.
    â€œYou have not,” she replied awkwardly. “I confess I was taken aback by you, but I do not find the idea out of the question. Just not yet awhile, that is all – ”
    The Viscount took her hand in his, ever so gently, and looked into her eyes.
    â€œMight I hope?”
    â€œLet me think on what you have said, David, and I promise I will give you an answer after I have returned home. I will need to consult Aunt Edith.”
    â€œOf course,” he answered eagerly. “Now, we should join her as she will be wondering where we are.”
    Luella turned and left the dining room.
    The Viscount paused for a moment and breathed deeply to calm himself.
    â€˜She has not said no,’ he thought. ‘ There is hope yet .’
    Later, as they finished their coffee, the Viscount announced that, rather than stay in a hotel, he proposed they should use his house in South Audley Street.
    â€œI shall telephone the servants and ask them to make the house ready for you,” he said. “Bennett will take you to the station in Barnstaple. I would not hear otherwise so please do not protest.”
    â€œThank you, it is most kind of you,” said the Countess. “You