Love Came From Heaven Read online

  Love Came From Heaven

  BARBARA CARTLAND

  www.barbaracartland.com

  Copyright © 2007 by Cartland Promotions

  First published on the internet in January 2008 by Barbaracartland.com

  The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books

  LOVE CAME

  FROM HEAVEN

  At the end of the day the Earl came to Selena.

  “It’s a huge success – and it’s all due to you!”

  She looked up at him and her heart was full of love.

  Would he ever take her in his arms and tell her she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen?

  “You’ve made it possible for my work to continue,” he went on, his eyes afire.

  Selena took a deep breath.

  She had been mulling over various ideas as the flow of arrivals slowed towards the end of the afternoon.

  “I am wondering, Alex, if there could be other ways we could make the visitors pay?”

  He sat himself on the desk beside her cash box.

  “Your ideas are always brilliant, Selena, so tell me what you’ve dreamed up now?”

  The Earl’s nearness and the warmth in his manner encouraged her.

  “I think we could offer the visitors something to eat during the luncheon period, plus tea in the afternoon. And then perhaps you could write a short book about Wakefield and your ancestors that could be printed, like the leaflets, only this would be substantial enough to sell.”

  He looked right into her eyes with such admiration that she found her stomach somersaulting.

  THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION

  Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.

  She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.

  Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.

  Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.

  The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.

  The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.

  The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to www.barbaracartland.com to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.

  If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :

  Barbara Cartland.com Ltd.

  240 High Road,

  Harrow Weald,

  Harrow

  HA3 7BB

  United Kingdom.

  Telephone & fax: +44 (0)20 8863 2520

  Titles in this series

  These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the Where to buy page at the end of this book.

  1. The Cross Of Love

  2. Love In The Highlands

  3. Love Finds The Way

  4. The Castle Of Love

  5. Love Is Triumphant

  6. Stars In The Sky

  7. The Ship Of Love

  8. A Dangerous Disguise

  9. Love Became Theirs

  10. Love Drives In

  11. Sailing To Love

  12. The Star Of Love

  13. Music Is The Soul Of Love

  14. Love In The East

  15. Theirs To Eternity

  16. A Paradise On Earth

  17. Love Wins In Berlin

  18. In Search Of Love

  19. Love Rescues Rosanna

  20. A Heart In Heaven

  21. The House Of Happiness

  22. Royalty Defeated By Love

  23. The White Witch

  24. They Sought Love

  25. Love Is The Reason For Living

  26. They Found Their Way To Heaven

  27. Learning To Love

  28. Journey To Happiness

  29. A Kiss In The Desert

  30. The Heart Of Love

  31. The Richness Of Love

  32. For Ever And Ever

  33. An Unexpected Love

  34. Saved By An Angel

  35. Touching The Stars

  36. Seeking Love

  37. Journey To Love

  38. The Importance Of Love

  39. Love By The Lake

  40. A Dream Come True

  41. The King Without A Heart

  42. The Waters Of Love

  43. Danger To The Duke

  44. A Perfect Way To Heaven

  45. Follow Your Heart

  46. In Hiding

  47. Rivals For Love

  48. A Kiss From The Heart

  49. Lovers In London

  50. This Way To Heaven

  51. A Princess Prays

  52. Mine For Ever

  53. The Earl’s Revenge

  54. Love At The Tower

  55. Ruled By Love

  56. Love Came From Heaven

  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 li
fetime. 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.

  “If love does not come from Heaven, I cannot think where else it could possibly come from.”

  Barbara Cartland

  CHAPTER ONE

  1895

  The last thing that Selena Norton desired aboard the crowded Calais to Dover ferry was to draw attention to herself.

  Selena’s travelling costume was plain grey without adornment, her bonnet lacked any decoration and her boots were serviceable without being fashionable.

  Her few possessions were contained in a large battered Gladstone bag that nestled beside her feet as she sat on deck amongst a varied crowd of fellow passengers.

  Nothing, however, could diminish the attractiveness of her heart-shaped face with her huge blue eyes and soft pink mouth.

  She had scraped her shining blonde hair back into a severe knot held fast at the nape of her neck, but captivating tendrils had escaped, blown by the wind over her glowing cheeks.

  “I think you’ve dropped this,” came a voice.

  Selena looked up, startled.

  A tall young man with heavy black eyebrows and a strikingly handsome face held out the purse that must have slipped from her lap onto the deck.

  “Oh, goodness! Yes, it is mine, thank you so much, sir.”

  Selena flushed as she gabbled her thanks. How could she have allowed her precious reticule to slip from her grasp? If she lost it, she did not know what she would do.

  “I must have dozed for a moment. I had to get up so early this morning, you see, and the motion of the boat is very pleasant. I was a little afraid so early in the season it would be rough.”

  She stopped abruptly.

  How many times had her Nanny told her not to let her tongue run away with herself?

  The stranger smiled.

  His eyes were as dark as his brows and they looked at her in a way that had Selena blushing even deeper. She shrank back in her seat and felt cold despite the early March sun.

  “May I suggest that you could be more comfortable in the Saloon? Allow me to escort you. We could share a cup of coffee – or perhaps a glass of wine.”

  Selena felt very alone and vulnerable.

  “Thank you, sir, it is so kind of you, but I am very comfortable here,” she answered him in a small voice, not raising her eyes to meet his.

  Why did men always want to spend time with her?

  She knew exactly what would happen if she did go with this powerful-looking man with his well-cut travelling clothes and arrogant air.

  He would expect her to listen to his boring stories, he would tell her she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met, and then he would try to kiss her.

  Men always behaved in exactly the same way and Selena hated it.

  For this trip she had even tried to make herself look so plain that no man would give her a second glance.

  “Come on, you can’t be so cruel as to deny me your company for the short time it’ll take us to reach Dover.”

  Selena did not know what to say.

  The man loomed over her in a way that suggested he might reach out, pull her off the seat and force her to go with him.

  “I – ”

  Her voice failed.

  “Taverner, you on this boat too? Good heavens, we must have a drink together!”

  Another man had come up and he was as tall as the stranger who had picked up Selena’s purse, but leaner, less obviously attractive and dressed in a careless fashion.

  “Well, well, Wakefield! Been gallivanting on the Continent, have you?”

  The newcomer sounded put out to be hailed in this way.

  “Maybe we can both entertain this charming young lady I have just met.”

  Selena was given a dismissive glance.

  “I doubt if she’s interested in politics and I want to discuss this wretched Government’s lack of enterprise. Did you hear my last speech in the Lords just before the House went into recess?”

  A strong arm was flung around Taverner’s broad shoulders and he had little option but to allow himself to be marched off towards the bar.

  Selena was unaware that she had been holding her breath, but she let it out now in a long sigh.

  She looked down at her purse, now safely back in her lap.

  She must be more careful.

  “Reckon you got rescued there, my girl,” piped up a large woman sitting close by. “Wasn’t she just, Harold?” she said loudly to the small man on her other side.

  “Yes, my dear,” he agreed without looking up from the newspaper he was reading.

  “What do you mean?” asked Selina.

  “Why, I noticed that Wakefield chap standing over there,” the woman waved her hand towards the stern of the boat.

  “He saw at once what was happening and how uncomfortable you were with what the other man was saying to you and I reckon he decided you needed rescuing.”

  Selena had a comforting vision of a Guardian Angel with her best interests at heart and then dismissed the idea as nonsense.

  But she wished she had taken more note of the man who had performed such a thoughtful act.

  “Mind you, though, if he hadn’t come on over,” the woman continued, “I’d’ve got Harold to send that Taverner fellow about his business!”

  Selena could not help smiling as it was so patently obvious that her husband would not have been able to do anything to prevent her being forced to go anywhere with him.

  “You are most kind,” she answered in a soft voice. “I sat down beside you particularly because I hoped people would think I belonged to you.”

  The woman patted her arm.

  “Right thinking, my dear, only it’s quite obvious to anyone with eyes in their head that you and us belongs to different worlds. You’re gentry, just like them two Lords – we’re only trade. You should be travelling with a maid, if not a chaperone.”

  The woman looked at Selena severely.

  “My maid is ill,” replied Selena quickly. “I had to leave her behind.”

  She hoped she would be forgiven for telling such a lie and went on hurriedly,

  “I would rather spend time with you than with that man. Do tell me what sort of trade you are in.”

  The rest of the journey to Dover passed pleasantly for Selena as she listened to Mrs. Toms telling her all about the haberdashery business she and her husband owned and their family that worked with them.

  Selena wished that the Belgian family she had been sent to stay with to polish her grasp of the French language had been as warm and friendly as Mr. and Mrs. Toms.

  Instead, they had been formal, almost cold, except when Monsieur le Comte had tried to kiss her.

  Then she had found herself in an extremely difficult situation. The Count would not be discouraged and finally she decided that the only way out was to leave the family and return to England.

  The chateau in Belgium where she was staying was only just over the border, not far from Calais.

  Letting herself out very early in the morning, she had been fortunate enough to catch a lift to the station on a farmer’s cart. She had then travelled to the ferry port by train without difficulty.

  At Dover she would catch another train to London and then – at this point Selena stopped her thoughts.

  She did not know what she was going to do when she reached London.

  “Oh, my,” Mrs. Toms was twittering. “Here we are coming into Dover and I haven’t found anything out about you, my dear. Well, if you ever need any haberdashery in Ashford, I hope you will find your way to our establishment.”

  Selena assured her that she would.

  *

  As the passengers started to surge to the gangway, she lost c
ontact with the Toms, but there was not a sign of Lord Taverner, which was a great relief.

  There was the inevitable business with passports to be gone through.

  Selena’s was at the bottom of her purse and she had to remove everything from it before it could be retrieved and handed over. The delay made those passengers behind her complain and she became flustered.

  “I’m so sorry,” she kept on saying, her possessions flying about as she grabbed them, returning them all to her purse as she made her way to the station.

  There was a queue for the ticket office, but Selena did not mind. She felt grateful to be standing quietly and trying to calm herself.

  This was difficult when she could not help thinking about what would happen when she turned up at home.

  There would be such scenes!

  Selena hated scenes. She wanted to enjoy life, not be shouted at all the time.

  “Yes, miss?” called the man in the ticket office.

  “Second Class single to London, please.”

  Then she looked for her little money-bag to pay the fare.

  She could not find it.

  Frantically, she started taking everything out of her reticule once again, panic filling her as she looked in vain – passport, several handkerchiefs, her notebook, her ferry ticket, all fell to the ground.

  “Can I help?” asked a quiet voice as a hand picked up her passport and gave it back to her.

  “I’ve lost my money,” gasped Selena. She was near tears. “I don’t know what to do.”

  The man in the queue behind her was the same one who had come to her rescue on the ferry.

  Now Selena was sure he was a guardian angel.

  His silvery-grey eyes as he looked at her were most reassuring, not in the least unsettling like Lord Taverner’s hot dark ones.

  “What a shame. Never mind, we can sort it out.”

  He spoke in a very matter of fact way.

  People were now beginning to grumble at the delay and Selena felt renewed panic.

  It was as if her world was disintegrating around her.

  She picked up the rest of her belongings and stuffed them back into her purse.