Chapters (73)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- PART TWO
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- PART THREE
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- PART FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- PART FIVE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Keep Reading …
- About the Author
- Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Publisher
‘Of course not. And I’ve never asked Caroline or anyone anything about you. All I’ve told you is just common knowledge. After all, you are a very visible man.’
‘I understand. I’ll have to become less visible, I suppose.’ He sounded droll.
Vanessa looked up at the house, where the noise of talking and laughter could be heard, then turned towards him on the bench. ‘What are you going to do about me? About us? Are we going to see each other again, Robert?’
He was silent, looked miserable and worried. And his face was solemn.
She waited for a while, felt her heart sinking, certain he was going to reject the idea. This thought was unbearable.
Taking all her courage in both her hands, she said carefully, slowly, ‘If a very nice, well-brought-up young woman invited you for tea at The Ritz, would you accept?’
Robert looked at her, a smile flickering briefly. ‘It would depend on who that young woman was, whether or not I would go to tea at The Ritz with her.’
Vanessa did not say anything.
After a second, wishing to please her, to play her little game, he went on, ‘For instance, if that young woman was anything like you, then I would accept that invitation with alacrity.’
‘Oh, very good. She would like to suggest tomorrow. If it suits your schedule.’
‘I can fit it in. At what time would I be expected to arrive?’
‘At tea-time, of course, four-thirty p.m.’
‘Then I think we have a deal.’
They were both startled and looked around when they heard Adrian calling from the French doors. ‘Robert, are you out there?’
Robert jumped up, pulled her to her feet, then walked ahead of her to greet Adrian.
‘I am, old chap. Came out to have a smoke. Found Vanessa doing the same. Apparently her mother doesn’t like chaps smoking in the drawing room.’
Adrian said, ‘I know. Oh, hello, Vanessa. How are you?’
‘Hello, Adrian,’ she answered, smiling at him. ‘I’m fine. I ran into Lord Lassiter out here and we got to talking about Impressionist paintings.’ She turned to Robert, and said sweetly, ‘It was so nice to chat with you, and thank you for taking the time.’
THIRTY-FIVE
The two men left the Strattons’ house and hailed a hansom cab. Adrian gave the cab driver the address. ‘Thirty-seven St James Street, please,’ he said, getting into the cab, with Robert following.
‘Right away, guv’nor,’ the cabbie replied, his Cockney accent apparent. ‘White’s Club it is!’
Lord Robert and Lord Adrian sat back, and Robert said in an amused voice, ‘Despite all the clatter of horses’ hooves, wheels on cobbles and tooting motorcars, I think it’s quieter out here than it was in there.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Adrian responded. ‘I do believe Caroline outdid herself tonight. Too many people for my liking. I couldn’t hear myself think, never mind speak.’