A Kiss from the Heart Read Online Free Page A

pack up and ordered the carriage to take him to Worcester Station.
    â€œI expect your Regiment are requiring you to take up a post in London,” his mother had said. “Once I have tidied up your father’s affairs, I will join you in London.”
    â€œYes, Mama,” he replied, kissing her soft cheek.
    He had expected her to rebuke him for running away from what was expected of him and had been a little surprised when she had acquiesced so readily to his announcement that he was going to London.
    â€œThe estate is in good safe hands with Alec,” he said, walking towards his carriage.
    â€œYes,” she answered noncommittally.
    But after a week in London, the Earl found himself tired and jaded.
    He had visited the Headquarters of the Household Cavalry, but when he entered their premises, he dismissed any notion of continuing his military career.
    An excellent lunch later at Brooke’s Club with a comrade soon put paid to any lingering vestige of nostalgia for the Army.
    â€œWe have had done with all that, old man,” said his friend, Lord Dewbury. “The events we have seen do not bear recalling – no, we are both young men, we should be enjoying ourselves. Now, tell me, are you available on Thursday evening? Only I have just discovered this rather topping establishment just off St. James’s. Darned good-looking gels on the card tables.”
    â€œWomen? On the card tables?”
    The Earl looked at once astonished and intrigued.
    â€œYes, I know it’s a tad out of the ordinary, old man, but Mrs. du Barry who owns the place knows a thing or two about what gentlemen like.”
    â€œAnd these women – ?”
    â€œSame as any other – they all have their own price. Now, are you in or not? It is a dashed difficult place to get into unless you know someone who is already a member.”
    The Earl licked his lips in anticipation.
    There had been women in India. Mainly wealthy widows who were in the market for a degree of adventure and who would oblige one. They understood how a man feels after the heat of battle has subsided.
    And, although he had a man’s needs, he had no stomach for the high-class houses around Oxford Street –
    â€œYes, David,” he replied after a short deliberation. “Perhaps we shall dine here first and you simply must let me pick up the bill.”
    With a convivial clinking of glasses, the deal was sealed and the Earl was looking forward with relish to the forthcoming entertainment.
    *
    As the Countess was later to remark, that very day marked the beginning of the long slide from grace for her eldest son.
    While Alec proved himself to be a man in every sense of the word at the family home in Worcestershire, the Earl took to the London high life like the most hidebound of buccaneers.
    Not long after he installed himself in London, his mother had made the decision to follow suit in order to keep an eye on him.
    The weeks turned into months and she scarcely recognised the surly man who kept such nocturnal hours.
    â€œ I am worried for Robert ,” she wrote to Emmeline.
    â€œ He is as a stranger to me since the funeral. He stays out carousing all night and Heaven only knows where he might be! He is drinking far too much and, I believe, gambling heavily. I do not much care for the company he keeps, but I hesitate to mention it for he has the filthiest temper these days!”
    After the Earl had spent yet another night on the town, his mother steeled herself for a confrontation.
    The way he was conducting himself was in danger of blighting the family’s name and she could not tolerate it. Besides, they were still officially in mourning!
    She paced the floor, waiting for him to rise from his bed.
    Hiscock had just informed her “his Lordship arrived home just as the maids were cleaning the drawing room.”
    â€œGoodness!” she had exclaimed. “You mean six o’clock in the morning?”
    â€œIt