The Shadow of Sin (Bantam Series No. 19) Read online

  He smiled down at her and she thought she had never seen a man look so happy.

  “Firstly, my sweet life, because I would never let you leave me and there will be no other men in your life—that I can promise you! And secondly because if your mother’s behaviour still disturbs you, I have something to show you.”

  He kissed her forehead before he released her to walk across the room and pick up from the floor where he had thrown it down with his hat a newspaper.

  Celesta looked at him wonderingly as he came back to her holding The Morning Post in his hand.

  “I bought this at Canterbury,” he said. “There is something which concerns you on the front page.”

  He gave it into Celesta’s hands and she looked down at the paragraph to which he pointed. It was headed:

  THE MARCHIONESS OF HERON

  We deeply regret to announce the death of the Marchioness of Heron yesterday at a St. Albans Nursing Home. The Marchioness was thirty-nine and had been in ill-health for some years. The Marquis of Heron, who is living abroad, has been informed.

  Celesta read it through, then looked up at the Earl.

  “I would not wish the new Marchioness of Heron,” he said with a twist of his lips, “to be ashamed of her daughter’s behaviour.”

  Celesta gave a little laugh which was also a sob. Then she was in his arms again and the newspaper had fallen to the floor.

  “Mama will be ... happy!” she murmured.

  “As we will be,” the Earl answered. “There will be no more fears, no more shadows.”

  “You are so important ... you should not marry someone of no consequence and ... unknown to the social world.”

  “You are the only person who is important to me,” the Earl answered, “and the social world is already acclaiming your beauty.”

  She looked up at him, a dawning radiance in her eyes, her lips parted. He thought he had never believed a woman could look so lovely.

  “You are ... sure ... you want me?”

  “It will take me a life-time to tell you how much.”

  He pulled her crushingly against him so she could hardly breathe.

  “You are mine!” he said passionately, “every perfect little part of you and I will teach you to love me as I love you, until there is no longer any doubt in your mind.”

  “There are no ... doubts as to my ... love.”

  “None?” he questioned.

  “You fill the whole world ... the sky and ... Heaven itself,” she whispered. “I want only to ... belong to you ... to be yours!”

  Her voice was as passionate as his. Then because she was shy she hid her face again.

  “My precious, my little love!” the Earl exclaimed. Then he said softly:

  “I suggest, my wonderful darling, that we waste no more time but find a Parson to marry us. After that my yacht is in the harbour and when the wind has abated we can set off to whatever country you most fancy for your honeymoon.”

  He paused to say with laughter in his voice:

  “But as you insisted—I will be coming with you!”

  Celesta looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

  “Can we ... really do ... that?”

  “I assure you that nothing and nobody is going to stop us,” the Earl replied. “I love you, my precious, and I must have you alone.”

  “I, too, want to be ... alone with ... you,” Celesta whispered.

  His lips found hers.

  For a moment they were gentle and she knew there was a dedication in his kiss.

  Then as he felt her response, as the flame that had flickered into life the night before swept through them both and became a fire, Celesta found herself moving closer and still closer until she felt as if her whole body melted into his.

  “I adore you! I worship you!” the Earl said hoarsely. Celesta knew from the manner in which he spoke that he was offering her his heart and soul.

  “I worship you ... too!” she wanted to say but somehow words were impossible.

  There was only the rapture and the over-whelming force of their love, which was irresistible.

  Barbara Cartland, the celebrated romantic author, historian, playwright, lecturer, political speaker and television personality, has now written over 150 books. Miss Cartland has had a number of historical books published and several biographical ones, including that of her brother, Major Ronald Cartland, who was the first Member of Parliament to be killed in the War. This book had a Foreword by Sir Winston Churchill.

  In private life, Barbara Cartland, who is a Dame of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, has fought for better conditions and salaries for Midwives and Nurses. As President of the Royal College of Midwives (Hertfordshire Branch), she has been invested with the first Badge of Office ever given in Great Britain, which was subscribed to by the Midwives themselves. She has also championed the cause for old people and founded the first Romany Gypsy Camp in the world.

  Barbara Cartland is deeply interested in Vitamin Therapy and is President of the British National Association for Health.