The House of Happiness by Barbara Cartland Page B

prospect opening before her. In one fell swoop, to be rendered Mistress of her own home and, by the same token, freed of the obligation to return to Great-Aunt Cloris in London.
    Eager to pass on the good news to her mother, Eugenia locked the door of the cottage with the key the Marquis had given her.  He went to untie their horses, but Eugenia had other ideas.
    â€œI shall ride Bud home,” she declared.
    â€œLet me saddle him up for you,” offered the Marquis, intending to use the saddle of the horse that had brought Eugenia to the cottage.
    â€œNo, no, I shall ride bareback,” she cried gaily.  “I always did as a child.”
    Before the Marquis could reply, Eugenia had grasped Bud’s mane and swung herself up on to his white back.
    Eugenia broke into an excited gallop for the last half mile of the return, leaving an amused Marquis in her wake.
    She burst in upon her mother and Great-Aunt Cloris with such rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes that they were both convinced the Marquis had proposed.
    â€œIt is good news, then, Eugenia?” squealed Mrs. Dovedale, hands clasped to her cheeks.
    â€œYes, Mama!”  Eugenia hugged herself with delight. “You will never, never guess what it is.”
    â€œI think I might,” simpered Mrs. Dovedale. “You are to be – Mistress of Buckbury?”
    For an instant only, Eugenia’s face clouded.  Why must her mother keep harping on the same subject?
    â€œNo,” she replied shortly.  “But I am to be Mistress of ‘ Paragon .’
    Mrs. Dovedale and Great-Aunt Cloris looked at each other in astonishment.
    â€˜ Paragon ?’ they repeated. 
    â€œYes.”  Eugenia regarded them triumphantly.  “The Marquis has had it restored. It looks just as it used to when we lived there, Mama. The Marquis has signed the freehold over to me. Look. Here is the key.”
    Hands still to her cheeks, Mrs. Dovedale stared at the key lying in her daughter’s palm.  The Marquis may not have proposed as expected, but this little yellow key represented a tangible new hope. It was obvious that the Marquis wished to keep Eugenia near him.
    Great-Aunt Cloris was not so pleased by this latest turn of events.
    â€œThe Marquis might have had the good grace to consult me,” she grumbled. “Have I not devoted a good deal of time and money to your upkeep these past few years? And to have the mainstay of my advancing years whisked from under my nose!”
    Eugenia ran to her great-aunt and dropped to her knees before her.  “Great-Aunt Cloris, you know you are welcome to live with us at ‘ Paragon ’ if you so choose.”
    â€œSo you have decided to live there?” Great-Aunt Cloris regarded her niece narrowly.  “You will not return to London at all?”
    Eugenia rocked back on her heels and stared at the floor.  “I – think I might return – for a while,” she said faintly. “I mean, I will have to – collect some of my belongings.”
    Her great-aunt had touched on one particular aspect of her good fortune that troubled Eugenia.
    Secluded at ‘ Paragon ’, how was she ever going to meet Gregor again?
    Mrs. Dovedale misread the frown on her daughter’s brow.
    â€œEugenia, dear, there is really no reason for you to travel to London if you do not wish,” she said soothingly.  “I can accompany Aunt Cloris home.  I can pack your things and bring them back with me. I am sure the Marquis will take you under his wing while I am away.”
    â€œThank you, Mama, but I would not dream of it,” she said firmly.  “I will return to London myself to collect my own possessions.”
    Great-Aunt Cloris was brooding. “You two have obviously not considered the full implication of this – new life. You may well own the roof over your head, but how will you pay for its maintenance? How will you pay the