Free Love is Triumphant by Barbara Cartland Page A

arrival.
    In a short time the ballroom was filled with all the most glittering names in London, whether political or aristocratic, or both.
    To Rosina, 'Uncle William' was the greatest man in the room, since she was sure William Gladstone would be Prime Minister in a few weeks.
    But Mr. Disraeli was still the Prime Minister, and to have drawn him to their house was a coup. He was in his sixties and splendidly ugly. Beside him was his wife, twelve years his senior and with an excited manner that concealed a shrewd brain.
    Like everyone else Rosina was charmed by them and their devotion to each other. At the same time, she could not help viewing 'Dizzy' slightly askance.
    "Everyone knows he originally married her for her money," she murmured to Sir John.
    "True, but I've heard him say so openly, joking, and then announce that he'd do it again for love. However it started, it's a love match now."
    He added wryly,
    "Besides, aren't you trying to marry me off to a rich wife?"
    She gasped at this frankness, but before she could reply, he said,
    "Ah, I see her now. Excuse me."
    Infuriated she watched him walk over to the Holdens, and raise Lettice's hand to his lips.
    At that moment there was a small commotion by the door. Rosina turned her head just as her mother gave a little shriek of joy. The next moment they were both racing across the floor to greet the newcomer.
    "Charles, my dear boy!" Lady Clarendon cried, hurling herself into her son's arms. "You managed to get here."
    "I've only got a few days' leave, but I wouldn't miss Rosina's ball for anything," he said.
    He kissed his mother, clapped his father on the shoulder, and then embraced his sister.
    "You look wonderful, sis," he said affectionately.
    "So do you," she said sincerely, for Charles was in the full dress uniform of a naval lieutenant, and it suited his tall, handsome figure.
    There was a flurry of introductions. Everyone wanted to meet him, and everyone was impressed by his handsome, laughing countenance, especially the ladies.
    After that the evening went by in a whirl of success. Mr. Disraeli himself begged the first dance with Rosina, then Uncle William. If Rosina had wanted to flaunt her high political connections, she was being given every chance to do so.
    The young men competed for her hand. She danced with the heirs of Dukes, Marquises, and Earls. Twice she danced with Lady Doreen's brother, George, the pleasant young man whom she had met at their house.
    As they twirled around the floor, she studied the other dancers and saw Sir John with Miss Holden, and Lady Doreen dancing with Arthur Woodward.
    As they passed each other he looked up and their eyes met. There was the same look of fear that she had seen before, and she was not surprised when he approached her as soon as the dance was over.
    "May I have the honour of this dance, Miss Clarendon?" he asked.
    "Very well," she said, rising and giving him her hand.
    She danced in silence, refusing to make things easy for him. As last he said desperately,
    "I was most interested in what you were telling me about Laine Hall, Miss Clarendon."
    "Do you mean the death of my friend, Miss Draycott?"
    "I – yes. I was most distressed to hear of it."
    "Really? Did you know her then?"
    He blenched.
    "I was not personally acquainted with her – "
    "Really? That's not what your letters say?"
    This time he almost stumbled.
    "I really don't know what you're talking about."
    "'I know that you will understand the need for me to do this,'" she said, quoting from his last fatal letter. "I'm sure you recognise those words."
    "I – I – " he swallowed convulsively.
    "Or how about these? 'I beg you to return my letters. They can have no meaning for you now.'"
    Rosina's eyes flashed.
    "No meaning, Mr. Woodward? What passed between
    you may have had no meaning for you, but she loved you with all her heart, and she died for it."
    "But surely – her death was an accident?"
    "That is what the world believes because I have