Read The Saint and the Sinner Online
Authors: Barbara Cartland
The Saint and the Sinner (21 page)
He paused before he went on, his voice suddenly harsh.
“When I call myself a sinner I do not exaggerate, Pandora. I have done things of which I am ashamed. Things which I hope you will never know about, but nevertheless I cannot undo them, nor, I suppose, ever erase them completely from my conscience or what you would call my soul.”
“You are – forgiven,” Pandora said softly.
“You are thinking of the joy in Heaven over a sinner that repenteth,” the Earl said with a faint smile. “But I am not worrying about Heaven, Pandora, I am worrying about you.”
His fingers tightened on hers as he said,
“You are so perfect, so good, and so pure that I am afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That sooner or later you will turn away from me in disgust, that you will leave me because however much I try –
long is the way and hard, that out of hell leads up to light
.”‘
His voice died away on the quotation and she felt that he waited to hear her reply almost as if it were the voice of judgement and there was no escape from it.
Pandora rose from her knees to sit once more on the side of the bed and put her arms round him.
“You have forgotten – something,” she whispered.
“What have I forgotten?”
“That we have the only thing that matters – the only thing that – sweeps away darkness – wickedness, and even the – retribution of the past.”
The Earl pulled her a little closer to him. “Will our love really do that?”
“Do you doubt it?” Pandora asked. “Real love – true love, has illuminated and sanctified those who have found it since the beginning of time.”
“And that is the love we have for each other?” the Earl questioned.
“It is the way I love you,” Pandora answered. “To me you have always been everything that is kind and good. I am not concerned with what happened before we met. The only thing I can think about is that we can be – together in the – future.”
The Earl held her so closely that she could hardly breathe.
“We will be together,” he said, “and, my perfect darling, I know that your love will give me not what I deserve but what I want.”
“And will it be – enough?”
“Could I want anything but you – and of course, a future Earl for Chart?” the Earl replied.
Because it was what she wanted to hear more than anything else, she lifted her face to his and kissed him.
In an instant the fire was there, holding her captive, and the Earl kissed her until the room swam dizzily round her with the wonder of it.
“I love – you! Oh, Norvin – how much I – love you!” Pandora whispered brokenly. “But you – must rest…
Then, as if with a superhuman effort, she moved again from the security and safety of his arms to say accusingly,
“Look at Juno! I have told her she is not to come on the bed. Mrs. Meadowfield will be furious!”
The Earl laughed and looked down at the spaniel, which, jealous of not having the Earl’s attention, was snuggling against him.
“What you are really worrying about,” he said, his eyes twinkling, “is that Juno is spoiling the cover which was embroidered in the year-dot by some Chart who had nothing better to do.”
“In 1706 to be exact!” Pandora replied. “This cover was made by the wife of the second Earl when he was away at the wars with Marlborough.”
She spoke automatically, then suddenly both she and the Earl were laughing.
“I realise that even when I am making love to you,” he exclaimed, “you will still behave like a cross between a history book and a guide-book!”
She looked at him a little irresolutely, as if she was not certain whether he was merely amused or slightly annoyed. Then he took her hand in his and kissed it.
“I am a very willing pupil, my ‘divinely fair’ darling,” he smiled, “as long as you will let me teach you one thing which is even more important than the history of all those virtuous and respectable Charts.” “What is – that?” Pandora asked.
“I will teach you to love me,” he replied, “for however knowledgeable you are about some things, my adorable little Saint, I think on that subject I shall be the teacher and you the pupil.”
“A very – willing and a very – humble pupil,” Pandora whispered.
Then because she could not help herself she let him draw her into his arms again, and he was kissing her wildly, passionately, demandingly.
Outside, the sunshine turned the lake to gold and glittered on the windows of the great house which had throughout the centuries protected, inspired, and uplifted those who lived in it.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection , classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
- Elizabethan Lover
- The Little Pretender
- A Ghost in Monte Carlo
- A Duel of Hearts
- The Saint and the Sinner
- The Penniless Peer
- The Proud Princess
- The Dare-Devil Duke
- Diona and a Dalmatian
- A Shaft of Sunlight
- Lies for Love
- Love and Lucia
- Love and the Loathsome Leopard
- Beauty or Brains
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
ELIZABETHAN
LOVER
Barbara Cartland
This edition © 2012
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1953
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