Free The Castle of Love by Barbara Cartland

loudly. Jacina's heart gave a thump as she heard the Earl's deep voice call out.
    "Who's there?"
    It thumped even harder when she heard the reply.
    "Fronard."
     Fronard! What was he doing here at this hour?
    "Enter," called the Earl.
    She heard the door open. The bobbing light vanished as Fronard entered the study and closed the door behind him.
    This was an unexpected turn of events. What should she do? The safest action would be to creep away now, while she had the opportunity. If Fronard came out and turned to his left down the passageway – as well he might, since his own room lay in that direction – he would pass the coffer. If Jacina was still there, he would undoubtedly discover her.
    She was frightened of Fronard. If the truth were told, she had been frightened of him from the first. His sharp eyes seemed to notice everything. There was a hint of cruelty in their gaze. She wondered if Felice was indeed the marionette, as Sarah had suggested, and Fronard the master.
    Jacina knew she must not let her fear drive her away. If she did not tell the Earl what she had seen, then she would be consigning him to a marriage he might bitterly regret.
    She stayed in the passageway, praying that she would not be found out. The clock struck a quarter to the hour. She shrank further into the corner, shivering. The clock struck one. A few seconds later the study door opened.
    "Goodnight, my Lord," came the voice of Fronard.
    He pulled the study door to, but she did not hear it close. Perhaps that was because her ears were full of the sound of her anxious heart. It beat so loudly in her rib cage, she was surprised that Fronard himself did not hear it.
    A second later she thought with horror that he had, for the light from the lamp he carried remained motionless a few feet beyond her. He was standing still outside the Earl's door. Standing still and listening!
    Jacina tried to stop her very breath.
    At last the light began to bob again. It moved away from her and down the stairs. Jacina let out a long sigh of relief and then rose awkwardly to her feet. Feeling stiff and cold, she stepped up to the study door.
     It stood ajar. She gently pushed it wide. Her heart caught in her throat as she saw the Earl there before her. He was leaning with one arm on the mantelpiece, his face turned towards the fireplace. He could not see the flame of the fire, but he undoubtedly felt its warmth on his flesh.
    He was in a long, black, velvet dressing gown. It was open to his breastbone and she saw the dark hair of his chest.
    The sight of him made her feel faint. Trembling, she stepped forward.
    "My – my Lord."
    His head snapped up.
    "Jacina?"
    "Yes, my Lord. I – I have something important to tell you."
    The Earl's reply was icy. "It does not surprise me, madam, that you do."
    His words confused Jacina and his manner was so cold, she wanted to turn and flee. Yet Sarah had said this was the right thing to do and she must do it. She opened her mouth but could not speak. Instead a sob rose in her throat.
    The Earl cocked his head as if he heard this sound.
    "Well?" he asked impatiently.
    The words came from her in a rush. "My Lord I – I could not sleep. I needed air – I went out to the garden – to the folly, where I often go. I – I saw two people there. Monsieur Fronard and your fiancée Felice. I saw them together in a way that was not – they embraced, my Lord – they kissed – I wish I had not seen it, but – I did and – it cannot be right for them to – I felt you had to know – surely – you had to know."
    Her voice trailed off. Tears ran down her cheeks and she wiped them away with her sleeve.
     "For – forgive me, my Lord."
    "Forgive you?" The Earl's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Forgive you, this vicious tittle-tattle? This odious slander? This clumsy attempt to blacken the name of the woman I am to marry?"
    "My – my Lord?"
    The Earl's face was a study in rage. The brows were thunderous. His unseeing eyes