Love Became Theirs Read Online Free PDF Page A

said gravely.
    She chuckled, and felt a little better.
    "How did you know it was all going to happen?" she asked him.
    "The world is a wicked place."
    Something in his voice made her say,
    "You spoke of being blind when we are betrayed by those we trust. You know about that, don't you?"
    He shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."
    "No." She laid a hand on his arm. "Don't tease me now. I'm serious."
    "I'm sorry" Harlequin replied. Yes, I know how easily you can blind yourself with trust, and how cruel betrayal can be."
    "Won't you tell me about it? You know so much about me, it isn't fair that I know nothing about you."
    He was silent and she peered at him, trying to see some of his face. But the mask hid most of it, and the darkness hid the rest.
    Yet she could sense his tension, as though he were struggling with a great decision. There was something burdening him, something he needed to speak of, and in another moment he would tell her.
    The she heard the sound of voices from somewhere behind them.
    The spell was broken. He would not tell her now. She thought she heard him give a sigh, but she could not be sure.
    "It's better if we let things be," he said at last.
    "I suppose we should return," she said reluctantly. "No, wait!" she added sharply. For she had recognised one of the voices.
    "What is it?" asked Harlequin.
    "Lord Robert. He mustn't find me here."
    "Then let us keep quite still and silent, and the darkness will hide us," Harlequin whispered.
    They sat there, hardly breathing. Suddenly Lord Robert's voice came again, louder.
    "What the devil are you doing here?"
    Then a girl's voice. "Oh Robert, darling, please don't be angry with me. I had to come."
    There was the sound of skirts rustling, as though she were running to him.
    "Oh darling, darling," she cried passionately. "I couldn't bear it a moment longer. Kiss me. Kiss me."
    "Doreen, for pity's sake!" he exclaimed.
    Rona sat up sharply.
    "Doreen!" she said. "I know her. She lives near me in the country. I thought her voice was familiar. I didn't know that she was in London."
    Doreen was speaking again,
    "They say you're going to marry – "
    "Hush!" Robert said violently. "Don't speak of that. It's none of your business who I marry."
    There was a cry and a sob.
    "None of my business? How can you be so cruel? You said you would marry me."
    "I said I would like to if I could afford it," he replied harshly. "I never proposed to you."
    "But you did say you loved me."
    "Yes, and I do love you. I would far rather marry you than that boring girl I asked tonight. But I can't. My estate is falling to pieces and I need money. She has it, or rather her father has. He'll pay me anything I ask, just to connect his family with a Duke."
    He broke off and there was only the sound of her sobbing.
    Rona could not move. The whole world seemed to have contracted down to this spot, the sound of the two voices, one anguished, one callous.
    She was trembling with shock, and barely conscious of the fact that Harlequin had taken her hand between two of his own, and was holding it comfortingly.
    Lord Robert's voice came again, a little kinder, but still irritated.
    "Stop crying, there's a good girl. I do love you, but it can't be helped. Now come along, stop that."
    Again there was a rustling sound, as if he had taken hold of her. Then silence.
    Rona set her chin as she rose from the bench and began to walk in the direction of the couple.
    "Better not look," murmured Harlequin, in step beside her. "It'll only upset you more."
    "I'm not upset," she murmured back. "I'm furious."
    She found a gap between the trees and through it she could see, illuminated by moonlight, the sight of Lord Robert and Doreen passionately embracing. She stood frozen, watching them, until Lord Robert drew back.
    "Not here," he said. "Someone may see us. Come."
    He took Doreen's hand and drew her away into the darkness, leaving the other two standing there.
    It was a long time before Rona could force herself to move.