Free The Temptation of Torilla by Barbara Cartland

different voice,
    “I have taught myself not to think about him. When somebody is dead, there is nothing one can do and tears are extremely unbecoming!”
    It sounded a frivolous remark, but Torilla knew because she loved her cousin that Beryl was hiding her real feelings. Because she understood that some things were too poignant to be discussed, she replied lightly,
    “Tell me about your engagement. You know, Beryl, it is so like you, but you forgot to tell me your future husband’s name.”
    “Wait until you see him, then you will be really impressed,” Beryl replied. “Oh, Torilla, I am so lucky – the luckiest girl in the world! Everyone has tried to capture Gallen, every single woman in the country – and a great many more who are already married!”
    Her lips were smiling as she went on,
    “They have tried every sort of bait on the biggest fish in the Social pool, but – clever me – I am the one who has caught him!”
    The way she spoke jarred a little on Torilla, but she said aloud,
    “I am sure where you are concerned, dearest, he was happy to be caught.”
    “It is the triumph of my life,” Beryl continued, “a grande finale to my career as an ‘incomparable’. You have heard that the Prince Regent called me that?”
    “You told me so in several of your letters,” Torilla replied.
    “I could not tell you half the things I wanted to,” Beryl said. “I hate letter writing. Besides I never have enough time.”
    She twirled her elaborate embroidered skirt around her as she exclaimed,
    “I am such a success! I don’t know where to begin to relate it all. I am asked to every party, every assembly and every ball! No one would dare to give an entertainment without me!”
    Torilla laughed.
    “Now you are boasting, just as you used to when you drew the best prize out of the bran dip at Christmas. I can see you now as you ran round the room crying, ‘Look at me! I have the biggest box of bonbons. Am I not clever?’ ”
    “And that is exactly what I have now,” Beryl answered, “for no one could imagine a bigger bonbon than Gallen! He is a Corinthian, a Buck, a Beau and the Prince Regent dotes on him!”
    She paused for breath, but before Torilla could speak, she went on,
    “I cannot begin to tell you how rich he is. Papa thinks he is the wealthiest man in the whole country. His Castle in Huntingdonshire is just made for entertaining.”
    She made an excited gesture with her hands as she continued,
    “I shall be the most important and certainly the most influential hostess in the whole of the Beau Monde! What is more I shall be covered in diamonds!”
    Torilla laughed again.
    “Oh, Beryl, you are ridiculous! But you are not telling me what I want to know.”
    “What is that?”
    “Are you very – very much – in love?”
    There was a little silence before Beryl said,
    “My dear Torilla, love as we used to talk about it when we were children is something felt by peasants.”
    Torilla looked at her to see if she was serious before she asked,
    “What are you – saying to me?”
    “I am saying that Gallen and I will deal very well together because we like the same things, we are Social stars in the same firmament, and we both know how to behave like civilised people.”
    “Then – you are not – in love with him?” Torilla exclaimed. “In which case why are you marrying him?”
    “Why am I marrying him?” Beryl echoed. “I have just told you! He is the richest, handsomest, most important man in England – what more could any girl ask?”
    “But – Beryl – ” Torilla faltered, an anxious expression in her eyes. “When we used to talk about love and when you first made your debut, we both swore we would never marry unless we fell in love.”
    “It is what I intended to do,” Beryl responded quietly, “but it has not worked out like that.”
    “And you think you will be happy – without it?” Torilla asked.
    “But of course I shall be happy with Gallen,” Beryl replied.