Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland

could not imagine why he had been so foolish.
    He had been unbelievably tempted by Inez to come to her bedroom, but he should have refused even if there was only the slightest possibility of her husband returning earlier than expected.
    â€˜I was a complete fool’, the Marquis told himself.
    Equally he had always taken risks in his life and as one of his friends had remarked about him,
    â€œThere is no one quicker than Rake at getting into trouble and no one cleverer at getting out of it!”
    Speaking again in a voice he knew was appealing, he pleaded,
    â€œPlease, Miss Grenville, save me. As I expect you know, it is always a mistake to upset or enrage our foreign visitors. Her Majesty is very anxious that we should be at peace with those of significance in Europe.”
    â€œI thought,” commented Lanthia, “that he was a most sinister looking man and you must be careful that he does not hurt you as he obviously intends to do.”
    â€œThe first thing I have to do is to convince him that I was not endangering his relationship with his wife. He will be looking for you this evening and will be extremely suspicious if you are not there! So I can only beg you to accompany me to the Duke’s party.”
    â€œBut surely the Duke will think it very strange?”
    â€œI have known the Duke for a long time and he is a good friend of mine. If I ask a favour of him, he will not refuse me.”
    He felt that Lanthia was wavering and so he put out his hand.
    â€œPlease,” he pleaded again, “do not throw me to the wolves. Or in this case a very savage Spaniard!”
    Lanthia gave a laugh because she could not help it.
    â€œI will come to the dinner party,” she agreed, “but I only hope I will not do anything to make matters worse for you than they are already.”
    â€œOn the contrary you will save me, Miss Grenville, and I can assure you that I shall be eternally grateful.”
    He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece.
    â€œI must return to my own house and change into my evening clothes. I will collect you from here just before eight o’clock. That is when we are asked to arrive and I imagine dinner will be at half-past eight.
    â€œPlease put on your very prettiest gown, I am certain that once everyone sees you they will realise why I wanted you to be my wife.”
    â€œI think from what the Conté was saying that you have a reputation of preferring to be a bachelor.”
    The Marquis thought that was rather clever of her and he replied,
    â€œYou are absolutely right, Miss Grenville, or rather, may I call you, Lanthia? I must get used to calling you by your Christian name! I have a horror of marriage and I am determined to remain a bachelor until I am in my dotage!”
    Lanthia giggled.
    â€œI can now understand why the Conté became so incredulous when you introduced him to your fiancée!”
    â€œI believe I sounded reasonably convincing, but I will have to be even more convincing this evening. And I am totally banking on his behaving decently and keeping our engagement a secret.”
    Lanthia gave a little cry.
    â€œWhat shall we do if he tells everyone?”
    â€œI don’t think he will, Lanthia, as it would be too much of a cad’s trick and the Conté, unpleasant though he is, comes from one of the oldest families in Spain. No one can say he is not an aristocrat!”
    â€œThen our pretend engagement,” added Lanthia, as if she was working it out for herself, “need not be for very long.”
    â€œShall we say for just as long as you stay here at The Langham ?” suggested the Marquis.
    â€œI expect to leave here in two or at the outside three days.”
    â€œThen it will not require a great deal of acting! Let me thank you for being so kind and understanding and very much braver and more sensible than any other woman would ever have been.”
    He thought as he spoke he was very lucky that she had