Lucky Logan Finds Love by Barbara Cartland

suggested that and I fear that ultimately I shall be forced into doing what I don’t really want to do.”
    “Then you should tell the stories to somebody else for them to write them down for you. Think how much your children and your grandchildren will enjoy learning about all your adventures.”
    Marcus Logan held up his hands.
    “Now you are bullying worse than my mother! I have as yet no children or grandchildren, so I shall keep my adventures to myself and enjoy them without feeling they are being scrutinised by a pack of unbelieving critics!”
    “Now you are being modest, my Lord. It is most unfair for you to do all the discovering, when people really want to discover
you
.”
    They were duelling in words.
    They continued talking until it was time for them to go upstairs and change for dinner.
    Belinda found that a bath had been arranged for her in her bedroom and she thought how lucky she was to be in this lovely house.
    She was enjoying even more luxury than she had been used to at home.
    Then she remembered the reason why she was here and immediately it was as if a cold hand clutched at her heart.
    It had been so fascinating talking to Marcus Logan that she had forgotten for the moment what she had to find out.
    She had even forgotten the penalty if she did not do so.
    Because she had no wish to think about it, she put on one of her prettiest gowns.
    She went downstairs eagerly.
    When her stepfather was away from home, there had been so many evenings when she had dined alone.
    There was nobody to talk to and only by concentrating on a book in her father’s library had she been able to forget how much she missed her mother.
    She was certainly not disappointed when they went in to dinner.
    The food was delicious.
    Marcus Logan was obviously intent on entertaining his mother and making her happy.
    He told her and Belinda amusing stories of the troubles he had encountered on his travels.
    How his ship had developed a leak and how he and the crew had to spend hours bailing it out before they reached land in safety.
    Then a camel that he had found impossible to control ran away with him.
    There had been a wild antelope that had blocked the entrance to a cave in which he was sheltering. When he had tried to make it go away, the animal had found it impossible to turn round.
    They were such amusing tales that he kept them both laughing heartily.
    Belinda found it hard to believe that the meal could have come to an end so quickly.
    They went into the drawing room, where coffee was served and Marcus Logan drank a small brandy.
    Then Lady Logan stated,
    “I must go to bed, and so must you, dearest. I am sure you have had very little sleep in the past few days.”
    “That is true,” he agreed. “So to please you, Mama, I will go to bed now and leave all the work that is waiting for me until tomorrow.”
    “That is very sensible,” Lady Logan answered.
    “I shall have to go out early tomorrow morning,” he went on, “before you are called, so do not expect to see me again before teatime.”
    Belinda felt herself stiffen.
    She was quite sure that Marcus Logan was planning to visit the City.
    He would start forming a Company, the shares of which would instantly be bought up by all his admirers.
    ‘I have to find out exactly where the mine or whatever it may be, is,’ she told herself.
    All three walked slowly from the drawing room. Lady Logan was leaning on her son’s arm.
    When they reached the hall, Marcus Logan instructed the footman on duty,
    “I am not going out again tonight, Henry, lock up and go to bed.”
    “Very good, my Lord,” the footman replied.
    “And tell Dawson I shall want breakfast at eight-thirty.”
    “I’ll tell him, my Lord.”
    Marcus Logan escorted his mother up the stairs and Belinda followed them.
    Her bedroom was reached first and Lady Logan called out,
    “Goodnight, Miss Brown. Sleep well and it is delightful having you here with me.”
    Belinda curtsied.
    “Thank you, my