Free The Island of Love (Camfield Series No. 15) by Barbara Cartland

and description.
    Each piece worth a fortune, was eclipsed by the next piece, until it was impossible to look at and admire anything without being distracted by something else.
    It was perhaps because their hostess, Mrs. William Vanderbilt, was as overwhelming as the house that the Earl decided they should not stay more than one night, but would leave the next day for San Francisco.
    Mrs. Vanderbilt was disappointed, to put it mildly.
    She was socially wildly ambitious, an energetic unhappily married woman who had no other outlet to distract her.
    She had obviously looked forward to presenting the Earl to the other social climbers in New York and had arranged not only a huge dinner-party for the night they arrived, but also a Fancy-dress Ball the night after.
    Heloise was disappointed but the Earl was adamant.
    “If there is one thing which will not wait for us,” he said, “it is the King’s Coronation!”
    Even Mrs. Vanderbilt had to agree to this.
    She had entertained King Kalakaua when he had been the first Monarch ever to dazzle America, and she played with the idea of accompanying them to Honolulu.
    Fortunately the Earl with great tact was able to dissuade her by saying that as she had not received an invitation to the Coronation, it might, if she turned up unexpectedly, be embarrassing.
    When they left the overwhelming, over-decorated Vanderbilt house to drive to Grand Central Station, Lydia knew that both the Earl and her father heaved a sigh of relief.
    “It is like having a surfeit of pate de foie gras!” Sir Robert remarked dryly.
    “I agree with you,” the Earl said, “but they are exceedingly kind and generous people, and we have been lent for our journey the Commodore’s own private Rail-Road Car which is known as The Duchess. ”
    “I am sure we will find the name is a very appropriate one!” Sir Robert remarked.
    He was right in his assumption. The Rail-Road Car was far larger, more elaborate and ornate than the one owned by the Earl.
    There were four bedrooms, a Drawing-Room with chairs that were so comfortable that sitting down felt like sinking into a cloud.
    Everything was upholstered in the richest damask and the carpets on the floor were so thick that their feet seemed to sink down into them.
    To Lydia it was as fascinating as being in an elaborate dolls’-house.
    She explored the whole car, admired the kitchen, and even peeped into the rooms which the servants who travelled with them occupied, sleeping in bunk-beds arranged one above the other. The Earl’s valet and her father’s were in the next coach.
    “It is quite fascinating!” she exclaimed.
    Heloise sinking into a comfortable chair merely said:
    “I hope it does not rock, or I shall feel as if I am still at sea!”
    “Sit in the center and not above the wheels,” Lydia said, “and you will see the magnificent countryside through which we will be passing. Think of it, Heloise! We shall actually see the Rocky Mountains!”
    Heloise did not bother to answer, but merely looked apathetic until the Earl sat down beside her.
    Then she flirted with him very prettily so that Lydia felt she could slip away into the background and sit at the window looking out, determined to miss nothing.
    And yet all the time she was watching the scenery she could not help being conscious that the Earl was not far away from her.
    When she was alone in her comfortable bed she found herself thinking about him and going over once again the conversation they had had aboard ship.
    ‘Perhaps I shall have another chance to talk to him alone,’ she thought.
    She knew it was going to be difficult when Heloise was always there and angry if she asserted herself in any way or even talked when she should have remained silent.
    It had been very cold in New York, and now there was thick snow outside the City which made the land through which they were passing look white and enchanting.
    When she woke and had a glimpse of it through her bedroom window she got up