Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland Page B

something, but I dare not confront her about it. I shall have to find out through some other means.’
    By the time she returned, all manner of theories had occurred to her.
    â€˜Was Stepmama meeting Lord Drury at the inn? Or was it some another man? If she is deceiving Papa, then I must endeavour to uncover evidence of it. Surely he would send her packing if he found her to be unfaithful to him?’
    Much as she realised it would hurt him, she secretly wished her stepmother’s virtue to be questionable – would that not make things a great deal easier for her?
    She returned Pearl to the stables and as she slipped in through the French windows, she heard her stepmother’s voice in the hall.
    â€˜So, she is back,’ thought Robina, as she stood in the shadows in the corridor by the stairs.
    â€œNewman, please don’t allow anyone to disturb me, I am going to take a nap once I have had luncheon in my room,” she heard her say.
    â€˜Perhaps I shall have a chance to speak with Papa,’ Robina told herself, as she emerged from the corridor.
    The dining room was ready for luncheon.
    â€œGood afternoon, miss,” Newman greeted her brightly as she entered.
    â€œWhat is for luncheon?” she asked in anticipation as the long ride had made her feel hungry.
    â€œCold chicken and a selection of vegetables.”
    â€œAnd for pudding?”
    â€œA peach tart, miss.”
    Robina sat down and gleefully awaited her father’s entrance.
    She did not have to wait for long as he entered the room a few moments later.
    â€œAh, Robina!” he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. “I am so pleased that you and I will have the opportunity to talk. Laura is a little tired after a morning of charity work in the village. I think it depresses her to see such poverty.”
    Robina was quite taken aback.
    She could not see her undertaking any charity work in The Three Oaks Inn !
    â€œDid she say what she was doing precisely? I often find myself with time upon my hands and perhaps I could join her,” she said carefully.
    â€œOh, I think it is tending the sick and looking after the children whose parents are forced to leave them so that they can go out and earn money.”
    â€œI did not realise that there were so many waifs and strays in the village.”
    â€œâ€˜ If you look, so ye shall find ’ – is that not what the Bible taught us?”
    Robina merely smiled in reply.
    So her stepmother was not being truthful!
    Even if her father believed this stuff about feeding stray children, she did not! There was indeed a charity for the poor run by the Church, but usually the helpers visited nearby villages.
    â€œI have ordered my floral tribute for your Mama’s grave,” said her father suddenly, “it is being delivered this afternoon along with your own.”
    â€œWhen shall we visit the cemetery?”
    â€œI have ordered the phaeton to be ready for us after breakfast. Laura will not be coming with us as I told her it would not be necessary.”
    Robina smiled at him gratefully.
    â€œI have asked the Vicar to attend us and say a few words. It will be a simple reading and a blessing.”
    Robina reached out across the table and touched her father’s hand.
    â€œThank you, Papa,” she said in a low tearful voice. “That is a wonderful thing to do. I am certain that if Mama is up in Heaven looking down on us, she would be pleased to be remembered in this way.”
    He allowed Robina’s hand to rest on his for a few moments.
    â€˜Papa does still love me. And Mama too,’ thought Robina, blinking back her tears.
    She felt a strong surge of emotion as they sat there and finished their meal together.
    They talked about the house and the renovation and then he asked her about the Earl.
    â€œHave you relinquished your post at the Castle?” he asked as the peach tart was served.
    â€œNo, Papa, but there is a family problem that