An Introduction to the Pink Collection by Barbara Cartland

fallen in love with her?”
    He was silent for a moment, and she felt a strange chill come over her heart.
    â€œNo, I’m not in love with her,” he said. “But if her father’s money can restore The Grange and make the people here prosperous again, it couldn’t possibly be my duty, could it? No!”
    He checked himself, turned sharply and strode back into the kitchen. Rena stayed where she was for a moment. She was glad that he hadn’t waited for her reply to that question, because she was not sure that she would have known how to answer.
    After a minute she followed him into the kitchen, and began making his breakfast.
    â€œWhy was I even thinking like that?” he asked. “Of course I shan’t marry where I do not love. If I marry, it will be to a woman I love, who will make me happy, even if we are not particularly rich.”
    â€œI think you’re right,” she said, concentrating on what she was doing, and not looking at him.
    â€œBut you don’t think I’ll keep to my resolution?” he asked, shooting her a look.
    â€œI think it could be hard for you if he says he’ll restore The Grange. Suppose he gives you enough money to repair it and bring the estate to life again. You could spend your life, in future, as a country gentleman, with of course, horses and dogs to verify it.”
    There was silence for a moment. Then the Earl walked to the window in the kitchen and stood looking out. Rena thought he was looking at the part of the kitchen garden which was desperately untidy.
    There were a few cabbages and onions, but for each one of them, there were at least a dozen weeds.
    â€œI suppose,” she mused, “if she loved you, you would perhaps, in time, come to love her.”
    She wanted to add ‘and her money’, but thought that sounded rude.
    John turned from the window and said in a very positive tone, which seemed somehow to echo round the kitchen:
    â€œI will not sell myself for what they call in the Bible, ‘a mess of pottage.’ Although it might now be thousands of pounds.”
    â€œWell done.”
    â€œI would rather starve than find myself married to a woman for whom I have no feelings, and be subservient to a man with whom I have nothing in common.”
    He spoke almost violently.
    â€œBut what else can you do?” Rena asked.
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œPerhaps you should think hard before saying no.” She didn’t know why she was urging him to a course of action that she would hate, but there seemed to be a little demon inside her playing Devil’s Advocate.
    â€œYou must remember how dilapidated the house is already. The villagers thought the roof would fall in last Christmas when we had a great deal of snow. By a miracle, it survived, but I doubt if it will next winter.”
    He gave her a strange smile.
    â€œRena, are you urging me to marry for money?”
    â€œNo, not exactly, but – are you wise to make a grand gesture, if you might regret it afterwards? This place already means a lot to you. Maybe it will come to mean everything. If you turn down the chance to restore this estate, maybe one day you will regret it.”
    She found she was holding her breath for his answer. And for some reason it was desperately important.
    â€œThe only thing I will regret,” he said at last, “is putting money before everything. Rena, I’ve learned to trust in fortune. I inherited this property after everyone had been quite certain there was no heir to the Earldom. I found you, and you found the hidden glories beneath the ancient cross.”
    â€œYes,” she said, glowing with happiness. “Yes!”
    He took her hands. “Don’t you see, there is more to come. Much more. The future is full of surprises that we can’t imagine, but which are waiting for us.”
    His fervent tone convinced her. This was something he really felt, just as she would feel