Terror in the Sun Read online

  To Brucena the whole idea was an enchantment that left her breathless with excitement.

  It was growing late when the train stopped at the small Station where they were to leave it.

  William Sleeman s friends who had lent them their bungalow were in Bombay, but their servants had brought a carriage to the Station and they collected their luggage from the guard’s van and their other belongings from the carriage.

  They drove in the cool of the evening through a wooded countryside to a white bungalow built on the side of a small lake. It was surrounded with flowers and Brucena gave a cry of delight when she saw it.

  Then, as the servants brought them cool drinks, they stood side by side on the verandah. There was the glory of the sunset dyeing the lake and the long sandbanks with gold.

  Every tree and canebrake became the colour of a warm glowing apricot, a prelude to the swift opal twilight.

  “It is so lovely” Brucena murmured.

  “And so are you, my darling,” Ian replied and there was a note in his voice that made her heart beat tumultuously in her breast.

  When Brucena went to her bedroom a little later, she found it attractive and very comfortable. The large bedstead in the centre of it, draped with white mosquito curtains, looked like an ancient galleon and made her blush.

  She stood for a moment thinking that it was the first time that she and Ian would have together and therefore she must somehow make it personal.

  She had already thought of this amidst the thrill of planning her Wedding and in her luggage packed especially for use on the journey she had included a miniature of her mother and a beautifully embroidered bedcover.

  This Amelie had made of muslin ribbon and lace and it had been intended, she said, as a Christmas present for someone in Mauritius.

  Instead she had given it to Brucena and with it there was a little lace pillow with love-knots in each of its four corners.

  When Brucena had arranged these on the bedspread, she felt that it gave the room a touch that was a part of herself.

  She also had with her a present that she thought was more precious than anything else that she had received, the carved whistle that Azim had given her just before they left.

  She knew that it was his most treasured possession and she therefore must not hurt him by refusing it.

  As she laid it beside her mother’s portrait, she told herself that she would keep it all her life and perhaps one day tell her children of how it came to be hers.

  She looked round her with a little sigh of satisfaction. Then, because she thought that Ian would be waiting for her, she let the Indian maid help her change into her prettiest evening gown. As she had no jewellery, she arranged a white orchid in her hair.

  There was an obvious look of admiration and love in his eyes when she went into the sitting room to find that he had changed into the evening dress of the Bengal Lancers.

  “Now I know why I have waited for half a century,” he said, “but it has been worth it!”

  “Have I been very long?” Brucena asked. “I wanted to look pretty for you – tonight.”

  “‘Pretty’ is a very inadequate word to describe you, my lovely one,” he replied.

  The servants were waiting to serve their dinner and so there was no chance for him to kiss her. Yet, as they sat opposite each other, Brucena felt that she was close in his arms and their eyes said all the things that their lips could not say.

  What they ate or drank she had no idea. She only knew that she was living in an enchanted world where there were only two people, Ian and herself.

  When they went back into the sitting room, the oil lamps filled it with a soft golden light while outside the stars covered the Heavens with a jewel-like brilliance.

  There were so many things to talk about, so many things she wanted to know that only Ian could tell her and the time slipped by.

  When finally she realised that it was getting late, Brucena found her voice dying away and she knew by the expression on Ian’s face that there was no more need for conversation.

  He put out his hands and drew her to her feet.

  “It is time you went to bed, my precious one,” he said, “and I told your maid not to wait on you, as I want us to be alone.”

  ‘That – is what I want – too,’ Brucena wanted to say, but she felt shy.

  Instead she hid her face against his neck.

  He kissed her hair and then with his arms round her he drew her across the passage and into the bedroom.

  Here there was only one little oil lamp burning beside the bed.

  It shone on the lace cover and on the small lace pillow perched bravely on the large white linen one.

  There was a smile on Ian’s lips as he looked at his wife.

  Then he took the white orchid from Brucena’s hair and pulled out the pins so that it fell over her shoulders in a golden cloud.

  “That is how I saw you the night you were so frightened when you ran into me in the passage,” he said. “Although you were terror-struck, I thought that no woman could look more beautiful or be so soft and sweet and enchanting in every way.”

  “You – kissed me,” Brucena whispered, “without asking if – you might do so.”

  “It was very remiss of me,” he laughed, “but I obeyed an uncontrollable impulse, which I have never since regretted.”

  “I have – never regretted it – either,” Brucetia murmured, “but I have often wondered if I had not been so frightened at that particular moment – whether you would have kissed me – or have been sure that you – loved me.”

  “I was sure of myself but not of you,” he answered. “I thought perhaps you still hated me.”

  “I loved you – although I did not – know it.”

  “And now?”

  “I love you with all my heart!”

  “That is what I want you to say.”

  Then, as his lips met hers, she felt him undoing the buttons at the back of her gown –

  *

  Later, very much later, when there was only the music of the night and the beat of Ian’s heart, Brucena asked him,

  “Is it – possible to be so – happy and not – die of the wonder of it?”

  “You are very much alive, my precious one,” Ian said, drawing her closer and kissing her forehead. “Have I really made you happy?”

  “So happy that I am – afraid.”

  “Afraid?” he questioned.

  “That I shall wake up and find it is – all a dream! “How can all this – be real?”

  “It is real, that I promise you.”

  “Everything that has happened to us is just like a story in a book,” Brucena sighed. “First, that you should be so brave and so wonderful. Then that you should love me and lastly that we should be married. Oh, Ian, tell me it is true!”

  He laughed gently and his lips moved over the softness of her skin.

  “I will keep proving my love,” he responded, “until you are absolutely convinced in every corner of your mind that you are mine, completely and absolutely mine. The story of our love is as true as it is true that we are in India and the whole great Continent is ours.”

  “Supposing you become too – grand and I – lose you?”

  “Do you think that is likely?” he asked. “My darling, you forget that one of the main reasons that I am grander now than I was last month is entirely due to you.”

  His mouth moved along her eyelids before he continued,

  “They say a successful man always has a woman behind him, pushing him up the ladder of success. And that is what you have done for me.”

  “I am glad – so very – very glad.”

  Ian turned her face up to his.

  “We are neither of us going to get so grand,” he said, “that we grow away from each other or the people who matter. There will always be Azims in India who will need our help and support. There will always be wrongs to be righted and Thugs in one form or another to be suppressed.”

  “
You will let me – help you? Brucena asked him quickly.

  “I am not only going to let you, but I insist on it,” Ian replied. “Your quickness of thought and your presence of mind has saved me already and will, I just know, save me again.”

  ‘“I do not – want to think of you being in – danger.”

  “It may play a small part in our lives,” he said seriously, “but if you use that special instinct of yours, sweet darling, I would trust you in any emergency.”

  “Oh, Ian, I am glad – so very very glad,” Brucena cried. “I want to be the right – sort of wife for you. I want to feel that you can rely on me.”

  “I know I can,” he answered.

  “Amelie is the right sort of wife for Cousin William. At first I could not understand why she did not fuss and fume every time he left her. Then I clearly knew why when I was waiting for you the other night in that horrible little tent.”

  “Why?” Ian asked.

  “Amelie believes implicitly,” Brucena answered, “in William and in God and it makes her sure that, whatever danger he is in, he will come back to her.”

  She drew a deep breath.

  “I will do the same, I believe in you – my marvellous husband and – in God.”

  Ian held her very close against him.

  Then he said in a voice that told her that he was deeply moved,

  “Could any woman be more wonderful? I adore you for the things you say to me for your thoughts that are like stars shining in the darkness. I also find your softness and your beauty irresistible, because every perfect part of you belongs to me.”

  “I am – yours – all yours.”

  She spoke with a note of passion in her voice because Ian’s hand was touching her and she felt the little fire that he had awakened in her earlier rising again in her breasts.

  As if he felt it too, he laid her gently against the pillows so that she was on her back, looking up at him.

  In the flickering fight of the oil lamp he could see her eyes wide and excited and, he thought, with a little touch of fire in their depths.

  His hand became more insistent and Brucena raised her lips to his, wanting him to kiss her and wanting the closeness that she knew he wanted too.

  “You have bewitched me,” Ian smiled a little unsteadily.

  Then his lips were on her lips and his heart was beating against her heart.

  They were no longer two people but one and there was no more darkness or terror but only the Divine Love that casts out fear.

  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 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?

  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

  Kiss from a Stranger

  The Flame Is Love

  A Touch of Love

  The Dangerous Dandy

  In Love In Lucca

  The Karma Of Love

  Magic For The Heart

  Paradise Found

  Only Love

  A Duel with Destiny

  The Heart of the Clan

  The Ruthless Rake

  Revenge is Sweet

  Fire on the Snow

  A Revolution of Love

  Love at the Helm

  Listen to Love

  Love Casts out Fear

  The Devilish Deception

  Riding in the Sky

  The Wonderful Dream

  This Time it’s Love

  The River of Love

  A Gentleman in Love

&nb
sp; The Island of Love

  Miracle for a Madonna

  The Storms of Love

  The Prince and the Pekingese

  The Golden Cage

  Theresa and a Tiger

  The Goddess of Love

  Alone in Paris

  The Earl Rings a Belle

  The Runaway Heart

  From Hell to Heaven

  Love in the Ruins

  Crowned with Love

  Love is a Maze

  Hidden by Love

  Love is the Key

  A Miracle in Music

  The Race for Love

  Call of the Heart

  The Curse of the Clan

  Saved by Love

  The Tears of Love

  Winged Magic

  Born of Love

  Love Holds the Cards

  A Chieftain Finds Love

  The Horizons of Love

  The Marquis Wins

  A Duke in Danger

  Warned by a Ghost

  Forced to Marry

  Sweet Adventure

  Love is a Gamble

  Love on the Wind

  Looking for Love

  Love is the Enemy

  The Passion and the Flower

  The Reluctant Bride

  Safe in Paradise

  The Temple of Love

  Love at First Sight

  The Scots Never Forget

  The Golden Gondola

  No Time for Love

  Love in the Moon

  A Hazard of Hearts

  Just Fate

  The Kiss of Paris

  Little Tongues of Fire

  Love Under Fire

  The Magnificent Marriage

  Moon over Eden

  The Dream and the Glory

  A Victory for Love

  A Princess in Distress

  A Gamble with Hearts

  Love Strikes a Devil

  In the Arms of Love

  Love in the Dark

  Love Wins

  The Marquis who Hated Women

  Love is Invincible

  Love Climbs in

  The Queen Saves the King

  The Duke Comes Home

  Love Joins the Clans

  The Power and the Prince

  Winged Victory

  Light of the Gods

  The Golden Illusion

  Never Lose Love

  The Sleeping Princess

  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.