Kiss from a Stranger Read online

  She was smiling and then realised the Earl was looking at her somewhat strangely.

  “Are you telling me that your uncle, and of course your grandfather before him, was Lord Lyndon?” he asked.

  “Yes!” Shenda replied. “And for that matter, Papa was an ‘Honourable’. But it did not make us have any more money after Mama died and the small allowance she received from her mother was stopped.”

  Her voice dropped as she said,

  “Mama’s father was a Scotsman – the Laird of Kintare and he was – furious with Mama for marrying – a Sassenach!”

  “It sounds very Scottish to me.”

  The Earl smiled.

  Then, as if she was a child, Shenda hid her face against his shoulder as she said,

  “I had to sell – all the furniture we owned in – the Vicarage to pay the – debts we owed to the – tradesmen and, when I came to – The Castle, I had only a few pounds left – which is all I have now!”

  The Earl did not miss the note of anxiety in her voice, as if she was afraid that he would be shocked at her being so poor.

  His lips were against her forehead as he said,

  “My darling, you shall never be poor again. There is so much I want to give you, so much I want to share with you.”

  What he said came from his heart.

  At the same time, he said silently a prayer of gratitude.

  It did not matter to him who Shenda’s family was, but that she was the niece of Lord Lyndon and her grandfather was a Scottish Laird would certainly receive the approval of his relations.

  They could not scorn her and there was no reason for them ever to know that she had played the part of a seamstress at The Castle.

  He understood now why Mrs. Davison had been so perturbed when he told her that Shenda was to act as lady’s maid to Lady Gratton.

  ‘How could I have been so obtuse?’ he asked himself. ‘Why did I not make enquiries about her and find out exactly who she was?’

  Then he knew that it did not matter.

  She was everything he wanted – the woman who belonged to him, the woman who was the other half of himself.

  She was also an ethereal spiritual being who had lifted his eyes to the stars and could make him believe that he could touch them.

  Her beauty was like The Castle, and their children, and please God he would have a number of them, would carry on the traditions of his family.

  They would dedicate their lives to the service of England and it was difficult for him not to be overwhelmed by the wonder of it.

  He held Shenda even closer than she was already and his lips were on hers.

  As he kissed her, he dedicated himself both to his country and to her.

  He knew that together they could bring happiness and understanding to so many people.

  “I love you!” he cried.

  Now his voice seemed almost to ring out in the quietness of the room.

  “As – I love – you!” Shenda said. “I am so – happy – so unbelievably happy! I feel that Papa and Mama have looked after me – and helped me to find you.”

  “I think actually I found you!” the Earl said. “And it is not only the most intelligent thing I have ever done in my life but also the most wonderful!”

  He looked down at her for a long moment before he asked,

  “How can you be so perfect? How can everything about you be exactly what I wanted and was quite sure that I would never find?”

  “Please – go on thinking that,” Shenda said, “and I pray that God will make me – exactly what you want – and that you will go on loving me – for the rest of our lives.”

  “You may be quite certain of that,” the Earl asserted, “and now, my darling, I must leave you, otherwise I shall undoubtedly be reprimanded by the First Lord!”

  Shenda laughed.

  “That is something that must certainly not happen!”

  “I cannot bear to leave you,” the Earl sighed. “You must take good care of yourself until I return.”

  “I – will do that,” Shenda answered, “but – there is – something I want to ask you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Do you think – if we are to be married – that I could buy – just one or – two gowns so that I can – look pretty in them for you?”

  The Earl laughed.

  “How could I possibly have forgotten that a bride, even if she is enveloped in the magic of the woods and the light from the stars, still wants a wedding gown?”

  To Shenda’s surprise he walked away from her and tugged on the bell pull.

  She stood looking at him in wonder until a few seconds later the door opened and Carter asked,

  “You rang, my Lord?”

  “I want my phaeton immediately,” the Earl said, “and ask Mrs. Davison to come here. Three grooms are to be ready to deliver messages in Bond Street.”

  If Carter was surprised, he was too well trained to show it.

  “Very good, my Lord,” he bowed respectfully and went out, shutting the door behind him.

  Shenda ran towards the Earl.

  “What is – happening? What are you – doing?” she asked.

  “I am sending for the best dressmakers in Bond Street to come here immediately,” the Earl replied. “You and Mrs. Davison will decide what is wanted. Choose yourself what is needed for tomorrow and perhaps the next two days and the rest can follow as soon as they are ready.”

  Shenda gave a little gasp.

  “And, darling,” he added, “I am a very rich man, so I want my bride, who will be the most beautiful Countess of Arrow there has ever been, at least to rival the Queen of Sheba!”

  Shenda laughed.

  Then she said,

  “I don’t – believe this – is true! I know I am – dreaming.”

  “Of course you are,” the Earl replied, “and I am going to make absolutely certain that we never wake up!”

  As if he could not help himself, he kissed her again, passionately, demandingly and fiercely.

  At the same time she was aware that she excited him and it gave her a wonderful warm feeling that she could do so.

  There was something in his kisses that was like the magic she had first found in the woods.

  There was something she knew in her prayers and it was that her father and mother were near her.

  It was all part of the love that filled her heart and which she knew now was in the Earl’s heart too.

  It was the love that was Divine and which came from God, who had protected her and brought her and the Earl together.

  It was the love that would remain with them, not only in this world, but in the world to come and for all 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 Myste
rious 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

  A Kiss from a Stranger

  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.

  Kiss from a Stranger

  Barbara Cartland

  Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd

  This edition © 2014

  Copyright Cartland Promotions 1990

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books