The Island of Love (Camfield Series No. 15) Read Online Free PDF

beautiful as Heloise did when she was arrayed in her new gowns.
    The Earl had not come to London as might have been expected, because he preferred to be in the country, hunting and shooting.
    “He is neglecting me!” Heloise complained. “I have a good mind to send him a note to say I want to see him immediately!”
    “I think that would be a mistake,” Lydia replied.
    “I expected you would say that!” Heloise said rudely. “Why should you interfere?”
    “I am not interfering,” Lydia objected, “but you must realise that men love their sports, and as the weather is so perfect for hunting, you cannot expect the Earl to give it up just to be with you.”
    “I do expect him to!” Heloise said angrily. Because she thought perhaps it was rather unnatural for a newly-engaged couple to be apart, Lydia had an idea.
    “Why do you not go back to the country, Heloise?” she suggested. “I will fit the gowns for you. We are the same size, and any small alterations can be made at home by the sewing-woman.”
    Heloise thought about this for a moment. Then she said:
    “That is a good idea! I am bored with fittings so I will go back to the country and you can stay here. But be as quick as possible! You must be home in two days’ time because I shall want you to do my hair before the Christmas Ball.”
    “Yes, of course,” Lydia agreed.
    The Christmas Ball which was given, was an annual event which took place just before Christmas Day, given by the Lord Lieutenant.
    He was a very old man, and everybody knew that when he either died or retired the Earl of Royston would be appointed to take his place.
    Heloise was well aware of this and Lydia knew that her sister had every intention of making a dramatic appearance at the Ball, and would undoubtedly behave as if she was already the hostess.
    “I will be back in time for the Ball,” she promised, “and I expect you will want to wear one of your new gowns.”
    “That is a silly remark!” Heloise retorted scornfully. “I shall naturally wear the most sensational of them all which I think is the white lace with all the diamante on it.”
    “I think so too,” Lydia agreed, “and you will look like the Spirit of Winter!”
    Heloise therefore returned to the country while Lydia stayed to find that trying to manage the fittings of all the dressmakers was more tiring than any day out hunting.
    She was so exhausted by the time she got to bed that she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
    She had promised Heloise that she would be back the day of the Ball which meant she had to catch a very early train and was therefore called soon after six o’clock.
    It was incorrect for her to travel alone, but Heloise had taken back with her the lady’s-maid and one of the footmen who habitually travelled up and down to London.
    Lydia therefore decided to travel alone, feeling it unnecessary to ask one of the older servants to accompany her.
    She knew how much they disliked the trains which they looked on as dangerous. So she went to the station alone, knowing her father would disapprove, but there was nothing else she could do.
    She had arranged to have a reserved carriage and the Guard had locked her in when at the last moment the door was unlocked to allow a very elegant Lady, draped in the most expensive sables, to get into the carriage with her.
    Lydia could see a lady’s-maid on the platform carrying a jewel-case bearing a coronet on it before she got into another carriage.
    The door was re-locked and the train set off. Lydia looked at the newcomer with interest.
    She was certainly very lovely and seemed to be of great importance, which made it strange that she should not have a carriage to herself.
    Then as the train gathered speed the Lady said:
    “I wonder if you would mind changing places with me? I feel ill if I sit with my back to the engine, and as the sun is on the other side of the compartment I do not wish it to be on my face.”
    There was very little