Lovers in London Read Online Free PDF

that this was where she always went herself. The manageress remembered her and was exceedingly anxious to please Lanthia.
    â€œI remember her Ladyship telling me that you were to make your debut last year, miss,” she minced. “We had some very lovely gowns which I know would have suited you, but I understand you are in mourning.”
    â€œFor my dear grandfather,” Lanthia answered her. “So now you must find me even prettier gowns than those I missed last year!”
    The manageress laughed.
    Every gown she deemed suitable was then shown to Lanthia and again she found it difficult to decide which she liked the best.
    Finally she chose one gown, which she thought was outstanding and the helpful manageress promised faithfully that it would be ready for fitting the following day.
    â€œIt will take us quite a bit of time to alter it,” said the manageress, “but I assure you there will be no one else in any ballroom wearing a more gorgeous gown!”
    There were many more dresses that Lanthia wanted to see, but she soon realised that Mrs. Blossom was becoming very tired.
    After all they had been working, if that was the right word, since first thing in the morning and now it was getting on for teatime.
    â€œI think we should leave the rest of our shopping until tomorrow,” said Lanthia reluctantly and saw the relief on Mrs. Blossom’s face.
    When they hailed a Hackney Carriage and started back towards The Langham , Mrs. Blossom confessed to a headache.
    â€œI am not used to London,” she grumbled, “and I suppose that is why I did not sleep very well last night.”
    â€œYou must lie down at once,” suggested Lanthia, “and if you still feel tired, have dinner in bed.”
    â€œYou cannot go into the dining room alone,” Mrs. Blossom answered quickly.
    â€œNo, of course not. I will either have dinner with you or in the sitting room. Don’t worry at all. We have done a good day’s work and there are not so many things we shall require tomorrow.”
    She thought Mrs. Blossom looked relieved again.
    When they arrived at the hotel, Lanthia hurried her into the lift up to the second floor, but even so it was quite a long walk to their rooms.
    Lanthia promised she would order some tea.
    â€œYou must get into bed and rest while you have the chance and thank you for being so kind and helpful to me.”
    â€œI have enjoyed every moment of it,” Mrs. Blossom replied. “It is just this stupid head of mine which will ache when I do not want it to.”
    â€œI expect that means you are using your brain too much,” smiled Lanthia.
    At the same time she thought that Mrs. Blossom did indeed look very tired.
    She took her into her bedroom first, made sure she was comfortable and then going back to her own room, she put the key into the lock of the sitting room door.
    As she turned it she was suddenly aware that there was a man close behind her.
    *
    The Marquis of Rakecliffe drove down Piccadilly in his smart chaise, which he had recently purchased, drawn by two perfectly matched stallions of which he was particularly proud.
    He would have been blind or very stupid if he had not noticed that every pedestrian walking along the pavement stared at him as he passed.
    Where the men were concerned there was a look of admiration and envy in their eyes. It was not only his horses but the Marquis himself who looked outstanding.
    Broad-shouldered and extremely handsome he wore his hat at an angle that enhanced his appearance and also made his nickname seem appropriate.
    He had been christened Victor James, but from the time he had been at Eton everyone had called him simply ‘Rake’.
    And that was undoubtedly what he had become.
    Women he met pursued him relentlessly and he would have been inhuman if he had not accepted some of their many favours.
    However, there was a serious side to his nature.
    Most people were unaware that behind his debonair