Love Became Theirs by Barbara Cartland

him. He was ridiculously handsome, with a tall, lithe figure and elegant movements. His face was lean, with fine features and a wide, mobile mouth that laughed readily.
    "Alice will be sad not to see more of you," said the Earl. "You know what a favourite you are with her. But we're going to France tomorrow morning."
    Peter yawned and opened his eyes. "I could always tag along," he suggested sleepily. "If you could bear to have me."
    "You know better than to say that. Of course you can come, and be welcome. We're staying with the Thierre family, and I know they're fond of you."
    "Tell me about the new governess."
    "She's extraordinary. I've never known anyone like her. She's much too young and pretty, although she tries to pretend she isn't."
    "What does Alice think? I remember she was being a bit difficult about governesses."
    "That's the extraordinary thing. Alice loves her, and I must admit that she handles the child very cleverly. At dinner tonight she was telling her all about Paris, not the monuments, like other governesses, but the dress shops."
    "So Alice was listening to that?" said Peter with a grin.
    "With both ears."
    "Then you should watch out for your wallet."
    "I've already said goodbye to my wallet. Miss Johnson has promised Alice that I'm going to buy her a wardrobe full of French fashions. And she kept slipping in French words and phrases, so that Alice had to ask her what she meant. I think she's beginning to want to learn the language."
    "She sounds like a paragon, this governess. I can't wait to meet her."
    "You will behave yourself like a gentleman," said the Earl quickly. "I don't want her driven out because you tried to flirt with her."
    "My dear fellow, I never flirt with governesses. I consider it unchivalrous."
    "Good. Mind you, she's not like a governess at all. She's definitely a lady, and a very cultured one. I can't help wondering why someone so pretty and clever has to earn her own living."
    Peter sat up, suddenly alert.
    "Pretty," he mused.
    "Yes, I told you."
    "You've told me several times. Is there more to this than meets the eye?"
    "I don't know what you mean." But the Earl coughed self-consciously.
    "You ought to marry again, I've always said so. I know you were devoted to Valerie, but she's been dead for four years."
    "I've only known this young lady a few hours," said the Earl, sounding harassed.
    "Sometimes that's all it takes," Peter said reflectively. "Or even less. All right, old boy, I won't hound you about her, but I hope you will be very happy."
    "Peter – "
    "I'll shut up! Not another word."
    "Get yourself to bed," the Earl growled. "We all have to be up early."
    *
    Rona was downstairs ahead of Alice next morning as she wanted to have a private word with the Earl. She found him already at the table in the breakfast room. He looked up and smiled at her.
    "Good morning," he said. "You are very punctual, and that's something I always appreciate in a woman."
    "My father was furious if anyone kept him waiting," Rona replied, "so I am well trained at being on time."
    "That reminds me, I haven't asked you who your father is, or where he lives."
    Rona had helped herself to the eggs and bacon which were on the sideboard. As she put her plate down on the table, she said,
    "A new world is opening its arms to me. I want to think about the future and not the past."
    The Earl gave a rueful smile.
    "In other words," he said, "you're telling me to mind my own business. Very well, because you're such a success with my daughter I'll try to do everything as you wish, and not be over curious."
    Rona did not speak and after a moment he went on, "I realise that your name is not the one you were born with."
    She stiffened and stared at him.
    "Why do you say that?" she asked.
    "Because, my dear, I saw your luggage in the hall and there are different initials on two of the cases to the name you have given me."
    Rona frowned.
    "That was very stupid of me," she said. "I forgot when I collected my luggage