Women have Hearts Read online

  “You know now how – ignorant I am,” Kelda said humbly. “I did not – do anything –wrong?”

  His arms tightened.

  “Everything you did was right, perfect and more wonderful than I can ever tell you.”

  “You will – teach me all about – love?”

  “That is something I shall enjoy doing,” he replied, “and, my darling, it is love that will teach us both far better than anything else that we belong to each other.”

  Kelda was silent for a moment.

  And then she said,

  “There is – something I want to – ask you.”

  “What is it, my dearest heart?”

  “When you – loved me, it was more – wonderful than anything I can say in words – but did you feel – different from the way you have – felt with – other women?”

  He smiled very tenderly and put his fingers under her chin to turn her face up to his.

  “I shall always tell you the truth and this, my very beautiful precious wife, is true, I have never before known such pleasure as you gave me last night.”

  He spoke very solemnly, but Kelda gave a little cry of sheer happiness.

  “That is all I wanted you to – say – because it means that I can give you – something that – no one else has – given you.”

  She paused before she went on,

  “I felt yesterday when I was so unhappy that all over again I had nothing. I was just a – ‘charity child’. But if I can give you what – no one else can do – then I am no longer poor and insignificant.”

  “You will never be that again ever,” Lord Orsett vowed. “You have a place in my life that is more important and more essential than anything else I could ever possess.”

  “Do you – really mean – that?”

  “I swear to you that I mean it and it is true. This is what I have missed. This is what I wanted when I was young and idealistic and thought that I would never find in this lifetime.”

  Kelda gave a sigh of sheer happiness.

  Then she said,

  “You do really – believe that if you were of no – importance and you had no money – no marvellous house, but was just an ordinary man, I should still love you as – I do now.”

  “That is what I want to believe, but I want you to work very very hard, my darling love, to convince me.”

  “I will – try – I will really try.”

  Kelda put out her arm across his chest as if she wanted to reassure herself that he was really there.

  As if he understood, he said,

  “We have many years to convince each other about our love and, while you have been sleeping, I have been making plans.”

  “What sort of – plans?”

  “Plans to make you happy and what I know will be best for the wife who I worship and adore.”

  “What are these – plans?”

  “Nothing frightening,” he said reassuringly. “It is just that I have decided that, while we shall stay in Dakar in the winter, we will go to England in the summer.”

  “Oh – no!”

  “I think it right that you and also I, who have sadly neglected my responsibilities in the last few years, should go back to the land of our birth. I will open my house in London, but I think you will be happiest, and I know I will, on the estate I own in Leicestershire.”

  He kissed her hair before he added,

  “If nothing else, you will enjoy the horses that I intend to buy and we will ride together over the best hunting country in England.”

  Just for a moment Kelda felt frightened.

  Then she told herself that she must think of Lord Orsett.

  He was still a young man and it would be a mistake for him to bury himself away from his roots and the people he should associate with and also from his responsibilities in the County that he belonged to.

  She felt that her mother was guiding her to say the right thin and helping her at this particular moment and knowing instinctively that it was a crossroads not only in her life but in her beloved husband’s as well.

  “Oh, darling,” she said with a note of passion in her voice, “wherever we are, I would be happy with – you. I will do whatever you want, but you must help me not to make – mistakes and not to – shame you in any way.”

  She sensed Lord Orsett was moved by what she said, but before he could reply she went on,

  “I have led such a very different life these last eight years since Mama and Papa died and I realise how ignorant I shall be of the Social world, the way to behave – what I should say – what I should do. But – if you are there and you will – teach me, I will not be – afraid.”

  “I will never let you be afraid again,” he said. “So you must forgive me, my darling, for frightening you as I have in so many ways since you came here.”

  He gave a laugh and added,

  “You accused me that very first evening of trying to behave as if I was God. Now you are asking me to go on doing so.”

  “This is different,” Kelda said, “because then you were acting with indifference or hatred – but now you are acting with – love and that is what – God does.”

  “My precious, you have an answer for everything and I adore your clever little brain, but then I adore everything about you, your pretty face, your very revealing sensitive eyes, your lips and, of course, your body, which is now mine.”

  His hands moved softly across her skin and Kelda felt the strange fire that he had kindled in her last night re-awaken within her.

  She thought vaguely far away at the back of her mind that she had read somewhere of the fire of love but, when she felt it, it was different from anything she could possibly imagine.

  She knew as it burned within her, that what she felt was the ecstasy of love, it was what she had longed for and it could only be there if two people were joined divinely as one and was too perfect ever to be described in words.

  “How can I tell you how happy I am?” Lord Orsett asked. “I want you to be so happy that you are never angry or bitter again.”

  He was kissing her eyes tenderly as she added,

  “It is strange – but, when I was falling in – love with you, I kept thinking that you made me feel – safe and secure, which is something I had – longed for – and yet now I want to keep you safe and – protect you from being hurt or – unhappy.”

  “That is what you must do, my darling,” Lord Orsett replied. “Now that I am so happy I realise how lonely and miserable I have been in the past. I told myself I was self-sufficient and that I wanted nothing. Then I found you and I was aware of how empty my life had been. Perhaps I have wasted these last years quite unnecessarily.”

  Because she could not bear him to regret the past, Kelda said quickly,

  “I am certain that is not true. The book you have written will be of inestimable benefit to Europeans who want to understand about Africa and indeed to the Africans themselves.”

  “I would like to believe that.”

  “I am sure it will be true and one day your children will be very proud that they have such a clever father.”

  Kelda spoke without thinking and then, as she realised what she had said, the colour rose in her cheeks and she hid her face against him.

  “My children!” Lord Orsett said quietly. “That is another thing that has been missing in my life.”

  Once again he turned her face up to his,

  “Will you give me a son, my dearest love? I would like him to be born in England in the house where I was born. I would be proud to think that I have provided posterity not only with a book about Africa but with a child to carry on my family name.”

  “I shall – try very hard – not only to give you one son but – several.”

  “And a daughter as beautiful as you.”

  “If – that is what you – want,” she replied. “But – please don’t – love any of them more than me.”

  “I was going to say the same to you,” he smiled “You are mine, Kelda
, mine completely and absolutely. I shall be jealous even of my own children if they take all your attention.”

  “They will never do so,” Kelda answered, “because it is so wonderful for me after having been alone – an orphan and unwanted, to know that I am secure and safe. I want to stay like this – close in your arms for ever and ever – ”

  “That is exactly what you will do,” Lord Orsett replied. “I have found you, my darling, when I did not believe you even existed and I will never lose you again, never.”

  He looked down at her and, as he did so, she saw the fire growing in his eyes and felt the insistence of his hands against her body.

  Then it seemed to her that the flames of the fire within her rose higher and still higher until they reached her lips and she wanted with a yearning that was agonising in its intensity for him to kiss her.

  She lifted her lips and, as he held her captive, she felt as if the room was filled with sunshine, golden and glorious, and the angels were singing in Heaven

  Then, as his heart beat on hers, she knew that they were riding on the rays of the sun into a Heaven that was all their own and would be 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 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

  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.

  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.