How long they stood there together she had no idea. She only knew that the whole room seemed to be full of sunshine and the voices of angels.
She only realised that from utter despair she had been raised into Heaven itself and that Heaven lay in his lips on hers.
At last they moved apart and he drew her towards the fire so that they sat close together on an old oak settle.
“I had things to attend to in Paris before I dared leave,” he said. “First amongst them was permission from the King for a new project of mine and his consent to our marriage.”
“His – consent!” Sheena could hardly breathe the words.
“Yes, I have it in writing if you disbelieve me,” he answered with a smile. “But before you give me your promise to be my wife, I have something to ask of you.”
Her eyes were almost blinding in their glory as with her lips parted she asked,
“What is ‒ it?”
“I want you to come away with me.” Then, seeing the surprise in her face, he went on, “Yes, really away, not only to Scotland but to the furthermost parts of the planet for that is where I am going and that is where I will take you as my wife.”
“But, I-I don’t ‒ understand,” Sheena faltered.
“To a new world,” he answered. “A world that Christopher Columbus has discovered for Spain, a world in which France already has a small foothold and must gain a great deal more territory.”
“And you are going ‒ there?” Sheena exclaimed incredulously.
“I have been meaning to go for a long time,” the Duc replied. “I am tired of Paris, little Sheena. Like you I have seen the evil, the cruelty and the horror of it. Like you I have seen that many Royal causes are doomed to failure if not disaster.”
He paused for a moment to kiss her hand, turning it over to press his lips gently into the soft warm palm.
“Forget all that has happened to you,” he said. “It is not a life for you or for me. We will find our own world elsewhere.”
“I still don’t understand,” Sheena said, although somehow it did not matter.
She was quivering from his kisses, trembling with excitement that was running through her body, the closeness of his arms and his lips.
Whatever he said sounded more wonderful that it was impossible to believe it. And yet because he expected it of her she knew that she must ask questions and listen to his answers.
“For three years now,” the Duc said, “I have been fitting up a ship, spending some of my own money and some from the Privy Purse. I have the full consent of the King and also the Duchesse to make this expenditure on behalf of France. But I also wished to make it on my own account. I want to get away, I want to live a full man’s life without wasting my youth on the frivolities and stupidities of the Court.”
He tightened his arm around her.
“That was why I was at Brest when you arrived in France,” he went on, “to see how my ship was progressing and I found it ready. I went back to The Palace eager for permission to sail. Then as the days passed I knew I could not go unless you would go with me.”
“You wanted me – even at the beginning of our acquaintance?” she asked wonderingly.
“I think from the first moment I saw you,” the Duc answered. “But I was afraid to trust my own senses and my own instincts. I had been let down by women before. I thought that they would always be utterly unimportant in my life until I came to know you.”
“But you were angry with me,” Sheena cried. “You disapproved of me.”
“I was wildly crazily jealous,” he answered her. “And as for being angry, it was only because I was so afraid for you. I saw where your steps were leading you. I saw how the Queen with her diabolical meddling in witchcraft, intended to use you to attract the attention of the King.”
Sheena hid her face against his shoulder at the memory and he kissed her hair.
“The Queen is a little mad, I think, where His Majesty is concerned,” the Duc ruminated. “Although she is far saner and cleverer in other ways than most people imagine.”
“Why did you not warn me?” Sheena protested.
“Would you have listened?” he asked with a smile.
“I was so stupid,” she admitted humbly. “So foolish. And, when you did talk with me, I defied you merely because – because – ”
“Because what?” the Duc asked tenderly.
“Because I think I was afraid of ‒ loving you,” she answered.
He bent his head to find her mouth and again they were lost in the magic and wonder of the kiss that held them spellbound.
And, as she surrendered herself utterly to the fire of his passion. Sheena felt as if she was already part of him –
She was soaring into the sky and in the distance she could hear angelic voices singing of the glories of love.
A little later, with his arm around her, the Duc led her to the window and they looked out over the sea.
“There is our future beyond the horizon, my darling” he said. “It may mean hardship and danger, it may mean privation and great difficulties. Are you afraid to face it with me?”
Even as he spoke, the evening sun came through the clouds and lit the sea with a sudden blaze of glory.
It was no longer grey, it was blue and emerald, white and silver.
“I will never be afraid as long as I am with you,” Sheena whispered.
The sea was forgotten as his lips searched for hers again and he whispered against them,
“I love you! Oh, little Sheena, I love you more than life itself!”
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
The Peril and the Prince
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
From Hate to Love
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
In Love In Lucca
The Karma Of Love
Magic For The Heart
Paradise Found
Only Love
A Duel with Destiny
The Heart of the Clan
The Ruthless Rake
Revenge is Sweet
Fire on the Snow
A Revolution of Love
Love at the Helm
Listen to Love
Love Casts out Fear
The Devilish Deception
Riding in the Sky
The Wonderful Dream
This Time it’s Love
The River of Love
A Gentleman in Love
The Island of Love
Miracle for a Madonna
The Storms of Love
The Prince and the Pekingese
The Golden Cage
Theresa and a Tiger
The Goddess of Love
Alone in Paris
The Earl Rings a Belle
The Runaway Heart
From Hell to Heaven
Love in the Ruins
Crowned with Love
Love is a Maze
Hidden by Love
Love is the Key
A Miracle in Music
The Race for Love
Call of the Heart
The Curse of the Clan
Saved by Love
The Tears of Love
Winged Magic
Born of Love
Love Holds the Cards
A Chieftain Finds Love
The Horizons of Love
The Marquis Wins
A Duke in Danger
Warned by a Ghost
Forced to Marry
Sweet Adventure
Love is a Gamble
Love on the Wind
Looking for Love
Love is the Enemy
The Passion and the Flower
The Reluctant Bride
Safe in Paradise
The Temple of Love
Love at First Sight
The Scots Never Forget
The Golden Gondola
No Time for Love
Love in the Moon
A Hazard of Hearts
Just Fate
The Kiss of Paris
Little Tongues of Fire
Love Under Fire
The Magnificent Marriage
Moon over Eden
The Dream and the Glory
A Victory for Love
A Princess in Distress
A Gamble with Hearts
Love Strikes a Devil
In the Arms of Love
Love in the Dark
Love Wins
The Marquis who Hated Women
Love is Invincible
Love Climbs in
The Queen Saves the King
The Duke Comes Home
Love Joins the Clans
The Power and the Prince
Winged Victory
Light of the Gods
The Golden Illusion
Never Lose Love
The Sleeping Princess
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
The Hidden Evil
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2020
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1963
eBook conversion by M-Y Books
The Hidden Evil Page 20
