Follow Your Heart Read Online Free PDF

worry on her uncle’s face.
    â€œYou must not take it so seriously, Uncle Edward. You are sorry for the Duke and so am I, but Jason is his son – not yours .”
    â€œI know exactly what you are saying, Della, but the Duke made it quite clear what he required and however strange it may seem, he is expecting co–operation both from you and me. As he carefully pointed out we have accepted a great deal from him over the years.”
    Della was astonished.
    â€œWhat do you mean, Uncle Edward?”
    â€œI obtained this house so cheaply that it was in fact almost a present from a friend. You have ridden his horses daily and we have been accepted on his estate as if we were part of his family.”
    He paused for a moment.
    â€œYou are allowed to go in and out of the Hall as you please and His Grace’s servants will take orders from you as if, as he pointed out, you were actually his daughter.”
    â€œI do not believe he could have said all that!” exclaimed Della.
    â€œHe said all that and a great deal more. He made it quite clear that if you and I did not help him in this, the most important moment of his life, he had no wish to see either of us again!”
    Della sank down into the nearest chair.
    She was thinking that if anyone else but her uncle had said this to her, she would not believe them. But he was a gentleman who always spoke the truth, which was why he was always so respected.
    Della recognised only too well what it would mean if all the comforts they obtained from the Marchwood estate were to be taken away from them.
    It was not only the freedom of the horses, the fields and the woods, but the Duke’s Home Farm that supplied them regularly with butter, milk, cream, chickens, eggs and ducks.
    There was always lamb for luncheon if they wanted it and the bacon was home–cured.
    When she thought it over there were a hundred advantages that came from Wood Hall, and like her uncle she had always accepted them gratefully.
    At the same time they had been inclined to look on it almost as if it was theirs by right.
    Della had always known that the Duke could be a hard task–master if he was opposed by any of his staff and yet because he had always appeared to love her uncle and herself, she had never seen that side of him.
    Now he was determined to have his own way and she could understand why he wanted her to marry his prodigal son.
    He knew her so well and, as her uncle had said, loved her.
    She was aware that any woman Jason married would have to be strong–minded enough to make him keep to his promise of penitence.
    Who else with these qualities was it possible for the Duke to find quickly?
    â€˜I will not do it,’ Della told herself, but equally she was very conscious that her uncle was frightened of the future.
    He was not a rich man now he had retired, but he was what might be called ‘comfortably off’. He did not have to spend much money on living and he certainly did not crave for the expensive life, which he would have had to live in London.
    In fact, he was happy here in the country – very happy.
    Yet so much of his happiness depended on the Duke.
    â€˜What can I do? What can I do?’ Della asked herself.
    Her uncle was looking at her and after a moment he said,
    â€œI have, of course, told Ralph that it was impossible for me to make up your mind for you and that Jason must do his own wooing.”
    â€œYou mean he is here?”
    â€œHe is at present in London buying himself some new clothes and as I understand trying to conciliate some of the family who he has not been in contact with for years.”
    â€œAnd he is coming to Wood Hall?”
    â€œIn three days time when his father will send him here to meet you or if you would prefer we can go to the Hall.”
    Della wanted to say that she would prefer to do neither, but she recognised it would be banging her head against a brick wall.
    She was perceptive enough to