A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland Page A

fiancé would be happy with her working alongside another man if that was indeed the case.”
    The Countess showed her disdain by tutting loudly. She did not want to quell his sudden rush of enthusiasm on taking control of the estate, but on the other hand –
    â€˜Miranda Whitby!’ she muttered to herself.
    Lady Waterton was feeling quite uneasy during this exchange. She did not fancy the sound of another young woman entering the scene one little bit!
    She could not afford for anyone to step in her way and snatch the object of her mission.
    After coffee the Countess announced that she was tired and that she believed Alec was looking a little pale.
    â€œYou must not exert yourself, my darling,” she said rising from the table.
    The Earl leapt to his feet.
    â€œNo, Robert. Do please stay and keep our guest company. Alec and I shall see you in the morning.”
    She took Alec’s arm and swept out of the room, leaving the Earl feeling somewhat ruffled that he had been left with Lady Waterton.
    â€œI would offer you a brandy, but I do not expect you are very fond of strong liquor,” began the Earl, hoping he would be able to escape to the drawing room and enjoy a quiet cigar.
    He looked at the turquoise-clad vision next him and thought that she put him in mind of a large fishing fly!
    Although she had charms, any attraction he might have felt for her had been washed away by the vision of Miranda’s soft grey eyes.
    â€œOh, I am very fond of brandy!” she replied rising from her seat with a broad smile.
    Her green eyes looked up invitingly at him as she moistened her lips. He noticed that her dress had the most enormous bustle he had ever seen and that it swayed like a howdah on top of an elephant as she walked.
    â€˜Goodness, this woman will not take the hint!’ he thought despairingly, as she took his arm and allowed him to lead her to the drawing room.
    Stringer poured two brandies and left the room.
    The Earl need not have worried about what to say to Lady Waterton, as she chattered on at him until midnight struck. Eventually, pleading exhaustion, he attempted to retire for the night.
    â€œSo soon?” she pouted. “And I was so enjoying our discussion!”
    â€œI am afraid I must rise early, as Miss Whitby will be arriving for her first day’s work tomorrow.”
    â€œOh, just give her some correspondence to work on to keep her occupied!” she said with a dismissive gesture.
    Immediately he rose to Miranda’s defence.
    â€œShe is not my secretary – she is too talented for mere office work,” he retorted, as calmly as he could. “I have another lady I hope to engage for that post, the Miss Jenkins I mentioned earlier at dinner.”
    â€œBut, I had thought it would be nice if you took me riding tomorrow morning to show me your estate!”
    â€˜This woman really is persistent,’ he fumed to himself. Aloud he said stiffly,
    â€œI have many matters to attend to tomorrow. We shall see.”
    â€œOh, but your mother has already said that she will not be at home tomorrow morning and I’ll be quite alone. How shall I occupy myself?”
    Faced with the prospect of upsetting his mother, the Earl realised that he could not win this argument. He rose from his chair saying,
    â€œVery well, a short ride then. But I shall have to see Miss Whitby first.”
    â€œOf course,” she murmured with more than a hint of victory.
    As they reached her bedroom door, the Earl bowed.
    â€œGoodnight.”
    â€œYes, goodnight. I shall look forward to our ride!”
    Turning around sharply, he did not wait for her to close her door.
    He could not make a fast enough escape.
    â€˜Blasted woman!’ he mumbled, as he entered his room, untying his cravat. ‘Blasted, blasted woman!’
    *
    Very reluctantly, the next morning he dressed in his riding habit and went down to breakfast.
    Alec, he thought, looked a little pale and