Free A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland Page A

come home for a while as my brother has had an accident and cannot oversee the estate.”
    â€œYes, we had heard there had been a riding mishap. But Robert, I thought it was you who was the eldest – or am I mistaken?”
    She looked at him cautiously, alerted by some sixth sense that she was walking into dangerous waters.
    â€œYes, I am the eldest,” he snapped. “But Alec has always shown more of an aptitude and inclination for these matters than I and besides there were my father’s affairs to attend to in London.”
    â€œOf course,” murmured Miranda as she folded her hands in her lap and cast her eyes downwards. She did not understand at all why it could not have been Alec who performed the lesser of the tasks.
    â€œRobert!”
    The unmistakeable boom of Sir George assailed them as he walked in to the room.
    â€œYou are back! Welcome, welcome!”
    He shook the Earl’s hand warmly and clapped him on the back.
    â€œAnd now you have come to set matters to rights, I assume?”
    He sat down heavily in his favourite armchair and looked at the Earl expectantly.
    â€œI don’t mind telling you, I have had my suspicions for quite a while as to who might be at the bottom of this skulduggery. Just say the word to me and I shall help you in whatever manner I can.”
    The Earl looked down at his riding boots and did not know how to respond.
    â€œAlec is doing a fine job – ” he began, pressing his fingers against each other to form a pyramid.
    â€œAh, but you are the head of the clan, eh?” said Sir George. “And you are sorely needed at the Hall!”
    The Earl grunted and looked down.
    In front of Miranda, he started to feel embarrassed and inadequate. What must she think of him?
    â€œYou are fortunate that Miranda has just arrived home from London,” added Sir George ignoring the strained atmosphere. “You two cannot have seen each other for years!”
    â€œA very long while,” confirmed Miranda.
    Just then she got to her feet and went to leave the room.
    â€œI must help Mama in the kitchen,” she explained. “Cook is off today and our maid is unwell. I will leave you two to your men’s talk!”
    As soon as the door closed behind her, Sir George leaned forward and spoke to the Earl,
    â€œYou must certainly not disappoint your mother. Your father would not have allowed things to escalate in such a manner had he not been so unwell, and Alec is far too trusting. No, it is good you are here. And, as I said, if I can be of any help to you, you must ask.”
    The Earl nodded, feeling suitably chastened. Sir George was the only person, apart from his mother, whom he would allow to speak to him in such a manner and the older man’s good opinion meant a great deal to him.
    By the time Miranda and her mother arrived back in the room bearing tea and cakes, the conversation had turned to lighter topics and there was laughter once more.
    But the sobered Earl could not forget the words Sir George had said to him.
    Much later, as he went to leave, he shook his hand gravely.
    â€œRemember what I said,” whispered Sir George as he left.
    â€œCome and see us again!” called Miranda brightly. “I have a great deal of time on my hands now I am back from London!”
    She did not know what had passed between them, but she sensed that it was something serious.
    As the Earl rode back towards the Hall, he pushed aside Sir George’s stern lecture and then allowed himself to dwell on more pleasant matters.
    â€˜I could never have dreamt that dear little Miranda would grow so beautiful!’ he said to himself, as his heart raced as he thought about her.
    â€˜She is quite without fault! There is something so completely different about her compared to the women of London – yes, I must see her again!’

CHAPTER FIVE
    The Earl soon found that he had little choice in the matter of the running of Ledbury