Love at the Tower Read Online Free PDF Page A

her long stare.
    â€œRobina?” he called after a moment. “Is it really you? Could it be?”
    It was then that she realised who the man was.
    â€œWhy, my Lord!” she exclaimed, laughing as the man picked her up and whirled her around.
    â€œGoodness, how you are all grown up! Why, the last time I saw you, you were no more than a schoolgirl.”
    Robina blushed to the roots of her hair.
    â€œIt has been so long since I last saw you.”
    She looked at the tall handsome man before her and could scarcely believe that it was her old playmate, Robert, now the new Earl of Hampton.
    â€œYes, and I have been halfway around the world since then.”
    Remembering that he as well had suffered a recent bereavement, she said,
    â€œI was so very sorry to hear of the death of your father. It was not long after Mama became ill, was it?”
    The Earl sighed and took on a pained expression.
    â€œThat is quite right. Father died in August and your Mama died the following year, did she not?”
    â€œYes, it is almost a year to the day.”
    â€œOh, I am so sorry,” said the Earl, reaching out to touch her shoulder. “I would have attended her funeral, but I was still away. But tell me, I heard that you were in France, so when did you return?”
    â€œA few days ago. But I have not travelled nearly as extensively as you, I thought that you were still in India.”
    â€œI was forced to return home quite recently. After Father’s death, I tried to keep my Army Commission and run the estate, but it was increasingly difficult. Ellis was never one for knuckling down to his duties and so, in order to prevent the house from falling into utter ruin, I returned home. For the past seven months the estate has kept me more than busy.”
    â€œDo you miss India? It must be a fascinating place – so colourful and exotic.”
    â€œIt is indeed a wonderful country, but my place is at home. I have done my patriotic duty and with so much to do here, I did not feel it right to indulge myself playing at soldiers.”
    â€œBut you were not playing, I am quite certain. Her Majesty’s Empire has to be defended from the Russians.”
    â€œIt is one long battle that will not be won overnight. They persist in attacking our borders, but we kept them all at bay.”
    Robina knew little of the current situation, but had heard talk of it in Paris.
    She looked into his shining blue eyes and thought how clever he was. She did not remember him as being a particularly studious child – in fact she recalled that he was fond of sports and horses to the exclusion of all else.
    Obviously he had changed a lot over the years.
    As she watched him leading his horse to the smithy, she marvelled at how tall he had become.
    The old Earl was a short stocky man and had never been particularly attractive even in his youth. She had seen a portrait of him on horseback at Hampton Castle and had smiled to see that he had barely altered.
    â€˜Robert must take after his grandfather or an uncle,’ she mused, ‘as the Countess was not a great beauty either.’
    A few moments later and the Earl strode back to where she was stroking Firefly.
    â€œSo is this your stallion?” he asked, clearly admiring the animal.
    â€œYes, it is. I missed him so very much whilst I was in France. The Parisians do not seem to adore riding in the same way as we do, certainly the family I was staying with were not at all bothered about equestrian sports.”
    â€œAnd did you enjoy France? I must confess I have never visited Paris.”
    â€œI did not like it at first, but I came to love it. It is a very interesting City with plenty to keep one amused.”
    â€œReally?” replied the Earl, gazing at her lovely face intently. “Then I shall take your recommendation and visit Paris as soon as I can. Although I am not certain how soon that will be with my current plans for the