The Devil in Love (Bantam Series No. 24)

by Barbara Cartland

  Larisa gave a little murmur and hid her face against him.

  “But I am alive, my darling!” he said. “And so, as soon as the funeral is over and my family have returned to their homes, we will be married very quietly either at Valmont or else in England. The choice is yours.”

  “Do you mean that?” Larisa cried. “I would love above all things for Mama and the girls to see Valmont, and Nicky could give me away.”

  She gave a little exclamation.

  “Nicky! You know I promised … that was why I was working…”

  “… to let him stay at Oxford,” the Comte finished. “I think I might contrive to find enough money to ensure that my wife does not have to work!”

  He paused and then with his lips very close to hers he said:

  “Except for me, of course!”

  “You know that I will do … anything that you want me to do,” Larisa whispered.

  “That is a very big promise,” he answered, “and I shall hold you to it!”

  He tightened his arms until his lips were touching hers.

  “It is going to take me a lifetime,” he said very softly, “to explain to you how different what we feel for each other is, and how much you mean to me.”

  She thought that he was going to kiss her and her lips were soft and ready for his. Then he said:

  “But I am still angry with you for not trusting me, for believing for one moment that I would hurt or damage what lay between us by treating you as one of the Demi-Monde”

  “You brought me … here,” Larisa said.

  He gave a little laugh.

  “So you remembered that, did you? Then let me set your mind at rest by telling you that my maternal grandmother is at this moment in the house. She is staying here the night as she is too old to travel long distances and will come to Valmont tomorrow. You are very efficiently chaperoned, my love!”

  “You think of everything!” Larisa said softly.

  “As I always shall where you are concerned,” he answered. “Only I warn you…”

  He paused and lifted her chin up so that she should look at him.

  “… if you try to escape me again,” he said, “I shall prove to you very forcibly that my nick-name is justified. You are mine, Larisa, mine now and for always and I will never let you go!”

  She felt herself quiver at the deep note of sincerity in his voice.

  Then masterfully he swept her against him, holding her so tightly that it was almost impossible to breathe, and his mouth was on hers.

  He kissed her violently, passionately, fiercely.

  There was no gentleness in his lips, only the demanding insistence of a conqueror who has vanquished every enemy and glories in his triumph.

  Larisa felt the fire burning within him engender the flame already mounting in her breasts.

  She was no longer afraid.

  She was his and she knew he was hers.

  They were one and he carried her towards the burning glory of the sun.

  Barbara Cartland, the celebrated romantic author, historian, playwright, lecturer, political speaker and television personality, has now written over 150 books. Miss Cartland has had a number of historical books published and several biographical ones, including that of her brother. Major Ronald Cartland, who was the first Member of Parliament to be killed in the War. This book had a Foreword by Sir Winston Churchill.

  In private life. Barbara Cartland, who is a Dame of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, has fought for better conditions and salaries for Midwives and Nurses. As President of the Royal College of Midwives (Hertfordshire Branch), she has been invested with the first Badge of Office ever given in Great Britain, which was subscribed to by the Midwives themselves. She has also championed the cause for old people and founded the first Romany Gypsy Camp in the world.

  Barbara Cartland is deeply interested in Vitamin Therapy and is President of the British National Association for Health.