Lovers in London by Barbara Cartland Page B

went straight up to his bedroom to change for dinner and his valet already had his bath arranged for him in front of the fireplace.
    When he had bathed and was dressing, he reflected that what had occurred this afternoon was something that had never happened to him before.
    He could not comprehend why the idea of saying he was engaged to Lanthia Grenville had suddenly sprung into his mind.
    He could have invented some other explanation as to why he was in a room alone with a pretty woman.
    He had hardly been given a chance to look at her before the Conté burst in.
    When he did he saw how young she was, but at the same time realised that she was quite obviously a lady.
    Even so, he thought, it might have been expected of him to be in the company of a pretty girl for very different reasons altogether.
    â€˜I must have sensed instinctively she was a young lady,’ he told himself, ‘who might have been shocked and horrified at such a suggestion nor would she have looked the part!’
    Thinking it over, he was convinced that because she looked so young and, to use an unusual word, pure , the Conté had almost accepted the explanation that she was his fiancée.
    And definitely not just a pretty woman who for the moment he found desirable.
    It was difficult for him to put it all into perspective and yet the Marquis knew that he had to fully convince the Conté tonight that Lanthia really meant something to him.
    He would then, hopefully, desist from forcing him into a duel.
    At exactly twenty minutes to eight he hurried down the stairs. The butler and two footmen were waiting in the hall to open the door and help him into his closed carriage. One of the footmen handed the Marquis his tall hat and another placed his evening cape round his shoulders.
    Then the Marquis stepped into his carriage.
    His coachman already had instructions as to where to take him.
    *
    At The Langham Lanthia was quite certain she was living in a dream.
    Could it really be possible that these two men had burst into her sitting room?
    Firstly the Marquis, who, she had to admit, was one of the most handsome men she could ever have imagined.
    Secondly the Conté, who she instinctively felt was a cruel wicked man she would not trust.
    He was dangerous. There was no doubt about that.
    She was frightened that he would have his revenge somehow on the Marquis, however brave he might be.
    She found it very hard to believe that she was really going to attend the very grand dinner party that was to take place here in the hotel this very evening.
    She went in to see Mrs. Blossom and found that she was already in bed.
    â€œAre you feeling any better?” Lanthia asked her.
    â€œI shall be all right, dear child. It is just my head, but I am sure that after a good night’s sleep I shall be myself again.”
    Lanthia was going to tell her about her invitation to the Duke’s dinner party at the hotel, but then she thought it would be a mistake.
    â€œWhat about your dinner?” she enquired instead.
    â€œI want nothing when I am like this, my dear. All I want is to sleep and I confess that I am going to take a little laudanum. Only a little so that I shall sleep soundly.”
    â€œThen I hope nothing will disturb you,”
    Lanthia bent down and kissed her.
    â€œThank you for being so kind to me today and I am sure the gowns we bought will be a great success.”
    â€œI am certain you will look very pretty in them all.”
    Mrs. Blossom closed her eyes and Lanthia tiptoed from the room.
    Back in her sitting room she knew she had to hurry.
    It was a blessing that she had brought with her the pretty gown her mother had given her last year for her birthday.
    She had only worn it a few times, but she still thought, even after viewing all those glamorous models today in the shops, that it was very attractive.
    The gown became her as it was soft and white and it seemed to envelop her as if she was an angel floating on clouds in