The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland

us?”
    Cork cast a glance towards the carriage.
    Although the young lady on the doorstep seemed genteel enough, he noted that she and her aunt were travelling in a hired coach. He hesitated as he tried to think of somewhere they could stay.
    He knew there was a large cattle market and fair on the next day that people from miles around would visit.
    Inevitably all the hotels would be full.
    â€œWould you wait here awhile, Miss – ?”
    â€œRidgeway. Luella Ridgeway,” answered Luella anxiously.
    As Cork went off to consult his wife, the Viscount emerged from the library.
    â€œWho is that at the door?” he asked looking extremely tired. He hoped that it was not another person claiming to be a close friend of his grandfather’s whom he would have to ask Cork to turn away.
    â€œA young lady, my Lord. She is travelling with her sick aunt and they are lost. The aunt is the Countess of Ridgeway, as the young lady claims and they are travelling in a common hired carriage.”
    Intrigued the Viscount moved up the hall and the sight he glimpsed through the open door made his heart skip a beat.
    There on his doorstep was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
    Her fair hair framed her face like wispy clouds while her pale-blue eyes darted around nervously. Her whole demeanour was one of someone in need of rescuing and it appealed to his masculine instincts to come to her aid.
    â€œShow her in, Cork.”
    â€œMy Lord?”
    â€œDon’t stand there, man. Show her in.”
    Utterly shocked, Cork retraced his steps to the front door and threw it open.
    â€œHis Lordship has asked that you enter,” he intoned with raised eyebrows. “Thank you very much,” sighed Luella, hoping that this nobleman was kind and that they would soon be on their way.
    The hall somewhat surprised Luella. Although the house had undoubtedly once been grand, everywhere were signs of neglect.
    â€˜Yet, this man who approaches looks every inch the fine Lord,’ she said to herself, as the Viscount came towards her with his hand outstretched.
    â€œMiss Ridgeway? I am David Kennington. Welcome to my home. I hear you are lost and that your aunt is unwell.”
    â€œYes, she is in the carriage outside. I was hoping to find a hotel where we might stay before continuing our journey. We were on our way to Bude in Cornwall and our fool of a driver took the wrong turn and we ended up on the Bideford road. We have been travelling in Europe and I am not familiar with this part of the country.”
    â€œThey will not find anywhere tonight, my Lord,” said Cork, who was standing nearby. “The cattle market and fair is on tomorrow.”
    â€œThen, you must stay here,” exclaimed the Viscount.
    â€œAlthough I confess that the house is not as it should be. I only arrived here yesterday to find it in a state of disrepair.”
    â€œThere is the blue room and the river room, my Lord. They have been unaffected by the damp,” suggested Cork suddenly. “Madame’s visitors stayed there and they are most comfortable. Mrs. Cork and I made certain that they were ready to occupy as we did not know how many people to expect.”
    â€œOh, I could not impose,” cried Luella.
    â€œMiss Ridgeway, I cannot have you wandering the roads of North Devon with an ill relative,” replied the Viscount firmly. “Cork, have the Countess brought inside at once and take her to the blue room. Then send for the doctor.”
    â€œYes, my Lord.”
    â€œReally, you must not go to any trouble.”
    â€œI would not hear of your travelling to the next town,” the Viscount insisted, ushering Luella into the drawing room. “Now Cork will bring you some refreshments and we shall put your aunt to bed. One of the maids will sit with her until the doctor arrives. If you will excuse me, I must go and change as I have been working since early this morning and am not at my