101. A Call of Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

insisted, “and I am sure Papa would know how to deal with him. He will be very grateful to you for having saved me as you have.”
    They sat talking until he said he must take some exercise and they walked round the deck several times.
    “When we get to the Mediterranean,” he said, “I am sure we will be able to play deck tennis. If you have never played it, I will teach you.”
    “There is no need to do that,” Aisha replied. “I have played before on a short holiday cruise with friends to the Canaries and I won some games even against the men.”
    “That is certainly a challenge. I will be determined you don’t beat me!”
    Aisha laughed and then asked him,
    “Have you ever in all your life had to accept an inferior position? Have you not always sat on the top of the tree?”
    “I suppose if I am honest I should say I have always sat on the top of the tree. Although I must admit to being bullied a certain amount at Eton as they said I was cocky.”
    “I am sure they would think that still, because you look so superior to everyone else around you.”
    “Is that really the impression I give?” Aisha nodded her head.
    “Yes it is, and I think perhaps your friends as well as your enemies are somewhat afraid of you.”
    She saw the surprise on his face and said quickly,
    “Please forgive me. I should not have said that. I have been talking to you in the same way as I talk to Papa. He has always said, ‘tell the truth and shame the Devil and say exactly what is in your mind. If people don’t like it, they need not listen’.”
    Lord Kenington chuckled.
    “That’s certainly very good advice on your father’s part. But I don’t want people to be afraid of me, especially in India.”
    He was thinking as he spoke that so many of the important men in the political world seemed formidable and ordinary people would find it impossible to talk to them really frankly and openly.
    He always prided himself that he avoided talking down to anybody he wanted to extract information from – he tried to talk with them. But what Aisha had just said definitely raised a question.
    As if she was reading his thoughts, Aisha said,
    “Don’t pay any attention to me. It is because you have such a strong personality that you stand out amongst other people. I expect too that a large number of women have told you that you are very good-looking.”
    Lord Kenington smiled,
    “You are going to catch me out and accuse me of being conceited if I answer that question!”
    “But, of course, you are good-looking, my Lord. In a way it is an asset you should be grateful for and cherish.”
    He felt he had never in his life had such a strange yet intriguing conversation with a young girl.
    Aisha was talking to him as if she was either a male contemporary or, if a woman, much older than he was and at the same time he told himself she was obviously being completely frank.
    It was good for him to be aware what other people thought, especially at this very moment, when he wanted to extract the truth from a large number of them.
    If they were to be frightened of him, they would undoubtedly say what they thought he would want to hear, regardless of whether it was true or not.
    “I suppose,” Aisha said, as if she was following her own thoughts, “that we all appear different to the different people we meet.”
    As Lord Kenington did not reply, she went on,
    “I am always surprised when people who know my Papa expect me to be as clever as he is, while other people, because I am young, are almost rudely astonished when I show any sign of being intelligent or well read.”
    “And you are both.” “Thank you kindly, sir!” she said mockingly. “Of course all compliments are gratefully received.”
    “I was not meaning to pay you a compliment, but ever since we met, Aisha, I have been astonished at some of the things you say and also at what you enjoy reading.”
    “I am finding the book that you lent me absolutely fascinating,” Aisha