25. Love Is The Reason For Living - The Pink Collection

Barbara Cartland

Description

Lady Novella Crownley has been teaching at a girl’s school far from her ancestral home, Crownley Hall, and one day her mother asks her to return. She leaves at once only to find that so much has changed since her last visit home. Her beloved father, the Earl of Crownley, had died some years earlier, leaving her mother lonely and unable to cope on her own. Unknown to Novella her mother had remarried and the first time she met her new stepfather, Lord Buckton, she did like him at all. In her absence Lord Buckton had been selling off everything at the Hall he could lay his hands on to pay for his debts and lavish lifestyle, and even had plans to sell the house and the estate as well. To her horror Novella found that he had sold her favourite horse, Salamander, to a near neighbour, Sir Edward Moreton. She was deeply suspicious of the charming and handsome Sir Edward, but her heart softened when he invited her to ride Salamander again. Her mother became seriously ill and Novella was forced to clash with her stepfather over the cost of medical care for her. Her relationship with her stepfather became worse while her feelings for Sir Edward began to intensify. She came to realise that she was in great danger from her stepfather who was determined to take everything from her and her mother at any cost. How Novella was able to defeat the forces ranged against her with the help of Sir Edward and find her own true love is told in this exciting and dramatic romance by BARBARA CARTLAND. "Barbara Cartland was the world’s most prolific novelist who wrote an amazing 723 books in her lifetime, of which no less than 644 were romantic novels with worldwide sales of over 1 billion copies and her books were translated into 36 different languages.As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, theatrical plays and books of advice on life, love, vitamins and cookery.She wrote her first book at the age of 21 and it was called Jigsaw. It became an immediate bestseller and sold 100,000 copies in hardback in England and all over Europe in translation.Between the ages of 77 and 97 she increased her output and wrote an incredible 400 romances as the demand for her romances was so strong all over the world.She wrote her last book at the age of 97 and it was entitled perhaps prophetically The Way to Heaven. Her books have always been immensely popular in the United States where in 1976 her current books were at numbers 1 & 2 in the B. Dalton bestsellers list, a feat never achieved before or since by any author.Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime and will be best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels so loved by her millions of readers throughout the world, who have always collected her books to read again and again, especially when they feel miserable or depressed.Her books will always be treasured for their moral message, her pure and innocent heroines, her handsome and dashing heroes, her blissful happy endings and above all for her belief that the power of love is more important than anything else in everyone’s life."

Sujets

• Downton Abbey
• Mills & Boon
• Thomas Hardy
• Jane Austen
• Harlequin

Informations

• Publié par: M-Y Books
• Date de parution: 08 août 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781908303059
• Langue: English

Extrait

LOAE IS THE REaSON FOR LIAING

Copyright © 2006 by Cartland Promotions

First published on the internet in October 2006 byBarbaracartland.com

The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Ebook conversion byM-Y Books

LOAE IS THE REaSON FOR LIAING

Novella looked at Sir Edward and a sudden tenderness sprang into her heart. “You seem to understand how I feel about Crownley Hall – ” she murmured. “It is obvious to anyone who meets you that you love the Hall as much as you do your Mama and Salamander!” Sir Edward laughed as he patted Salamander on the flank, as he was grazing contentedly on the river bank. It had been a long time since Novella had felt so h appy – and she found herself completely at ease in Sir Edward’s company. Novella was well aware that she had little experien ce of dealing socially with the opposite sex outside of friendship. There had been a few would-be suitors who called at her lodgings at the school, but her maid had always sent them away, saying she was not at home. Novella had never been in love and she could not imagine what it might feel like. But standing on the riverbank, watching Sir Edward playing with Salamander, she felt a mysterious yearning in her heart that she could not explain. ‘I must not indulge myself in silly notions,’ she t hought, shaking herself. ‘I must not allow myself to be distracted from Mama and Crownley Hall.’ Nevertheless, she could not deny that she felt a strange, haunting longing and a secret thrill at being in Sir Edward’s company. “We should be moving on,” she suggested, drawing Salamander close to her, “will you please help me up?”

THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION

Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77. She went on writing continuously at this rate for 2 0 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97. Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something aga in that no other author has ever achieved. Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world. The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence. The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribu te to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years. The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published o nly on the internet. Log on to www.barbaracartland.com to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will en sure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home. If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address : Barbara Cartland.com Ltd. 240 High Road, Harrow Weald, Harrow HA3 7BB United Kingdom. Telephone & fax: [phone]

Titles in this series

1. The Cross of Love 2. Love in the Highlands 3. Love Finds the Way 4. The Castle of Love 5. Love is Triumphant 6. Stars in the Sky 7. The ship of love 8. A Dangerous Disguise 9. Love became theirs 10. Love drives in 11. Sailing to Love 12. The Star of Love 13. Music is the soul of Love 14. Love in the East 15. Theirs to Eternity 16. A Paradise on Earth 17. Love Wins in Berlin 18. In Search of Love 19. Love Rescues Rosanna 20. A Heart in Heaven 21. The House of Happiness 22. Royalty Defeated by Love 23. The White Witch 24. They Sought Love 25. Love is the Reason for Living

THELATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND

Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.

In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.

Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.

“Love is the reason for living, and it is certainly the reason for everything else in the universe as well.”

Barbara Cartland

CH �

PTER ONE - 1871

“Excuse me, my Lady, but Mrs. Palmer wishes to see you at once in her office.” The maid bobbed a curtsy and Lady Novella Crownley put down her book with a sigh. ‘I wonder what she can want,’ she thought to herself, as she walked down the numerous corridors to the Headmistress’s office. The past few years had been difficult for Lady Novella. After having been a pupil at the Chelford School for Young Ladies, she had stayed on as a tutor after her father, the Earl of Crownley, had died. Her mother had said that it was for the best that N ovella remained at the school until such time as the Earl’s complicated estate had been settled. Novella was an only child and a girl at that, and so her inheritance, in law, was definitely not automatic. It was with utter relief that she had received the news that her father had left a watertight will naming her and the Countess as joint beneficiaries. But that was eighteen months ago – so why, wondered Novella, was Mrs. Palmer summoning her to her office? The occasion reminded her so much of that day when she had imparted the dreadful news of her father’s sudden death, and Novella hoped fervently that she was not about to tell her that her mother had passed away too. So it was with a shaking hand that she knocked on the oak door of Mrs. Palmer’s office. After a long moment, she bade her enter. “Ah, Novella, thank you for coming so promptly.” She paused and took out a pair of eyeglasses that she immediately placed on her nose. “I have received a letter from your mother.” “Not bad news, I trust?” asked Novella, her heart in her mouth. “For you perhaps not, but for Chelford School, it is not the best of news.” “I am afraid I do not understand.” “Your mother asks that you be relieved of your duti es at Chelford school in order to return to Crownley Hall.” “Does she say why in the letter that it is now the right time for me to return home?” asked Novella. “I am afraid that there is no further information i n her letter,” replied Mrs. Palmer, taking off her glasses. “But I am certain that you will be happy to be at home once more. “Novella, it has been a pleasure to have you at Chelford school, but I always knew that your employment here was not going to be forever. The girls will be sorry to lose you – you are popular as well as attractive – and I would like to thank you for your singular dedication to their education. I have made up your salary to the end of the month, but you are free to leave right away should you so choose.” “But the girls – ” stammered Novella, completely overwhelmed by this latest turn of events, “I should like to say – my goodbyes to them.” “In that case,” announced Mrs. Palmer, standing up, “I would suggest that we make arrangements for you to leave tomorrow after assembly. That will give ample opportunity for

you to take your last class this afternoon and to pack up your belongings.” The tall woman moved towards Novella and in an uncharacteristic gesture, threw her arms around the young girl and embraced her. “You have had a difficult start to your adult life, Novella,” she said, releasing her, “but you have shown an admirable strength of character t hat I am certain will aid you in the outside world. Make no mistake, my dear, living in a scholastic world shields one from some of life’s more unpleasant elements, but I am in no doubt that whatever you choose to do from hereon in, you will make a success of it.” By now, Novella was crying. She felt immensely sad at leaving the school – it had provided her with a place of retreat after her fath er had died as well as invaluable companionship. Wiping her eyes, Novella left Mrs. Palmer’s office. As she retraced her steps along those corridors, she could scarcely believe that so soon she would be leaving them behind forever. Back in her room, she sat down at her desk and wrote a letter to her mother, informing her that she would be leaving Chelford school just before noon and expected that she would arrive at Crownley Hall late that evening. She wrote, “Dearest Mama, Please be sure to ask Wargrave to have the carriage meet me at the station. I cannot wait to see you all again. I have missed my horse, Salamander, more than I can say and the first thing I shall do upon my return, after kissing you, is to visit him!” ‘I do hope that Sally is still at the Hall,’ thought Novella, as she began to pack her belongings. ‘And Harry and Gerald.’ She thought of all the other staff at Crownley Hall who had served her since she was small. Sally was her personal maid and although Novella had been too young for a lady’s maid as such, she viewed Sally as being as good as one. She often gave Sally little presents of clothes that she had outgrown or no longer wanted. ‘I shall miss everyone so much, but the time has co me for me to go out into the world. Mrs. Palmer is right, I am young and should not be spending my days locked up in a girls school.’ Novella was thinking of love and marriage. Although she had not been in the least bit interested in either since her father had died, she was aware that time was marching on and that it would be to her that the family would look to when it came to supplying an heir. At twenty, Novella did not realise just how beautiful she had grown – nor did she see the admiring looks she garnered from young men when she walked with her pupils through the town. ‘I do hope that Mama is well,’ sighed Novella, taking the photograph of her down from her chest of drawers, ‘she did not write to me abou t her health or her well-being, which is most strange seeing as Mama is obsessed with both.’ She smiled to herself at the recollection of her mo ther calling for the smelling salts at the slightest excuse. She was what her father had described as being ‘delicate’, so Novella was pleased that she had inherited his constitution rather than hers.