The Love Pirate
Barbara Cartland
Bertilla's mother was a society beauty, who didn't want anyone to know she had a grown daughter, and decided send her away to her aunt in Sarawak. When she was fleeing a persistent suitor, she runs into handsome Lord Saire at the train station and later on board ship. Lord Saire, who was known, because of his success with the ladies, as the Love Pirate, finds himself in charge of this girl when they shipwrecked. As Bertilla approached the veranda, she heard her name mentioned by her hostess and a lady guest. "I cannot help thinking it is funny," the visitor said, "that Lord Saire-- the Love Pirate -- had to be shipwrecked with no one more exciting than an immature girl. Such a tiring encumbrance as she will certainly interfere with the many alluring ladies he plans to see in Singapore." Bertilla suddenly felt her cheeks burning with humiliation. She knew that she must leave before Saire returned--even if by so doing she left her whole heart behind with him. Better she disappeared into anonymity than be a burden to the man she loved. Hot tears cascaded down her cheeks as she returned to her room to pack.
