Hiding from Love Read online

  HIDING FROM LOVE

  BARBARA CARTLAND

  www.barbaracartland.com

  Copyright © 2010 by Cartland Promotions

  First published on the internet in July 2010

  ISBNs

  978-1-908411-40-2 Epub

  978-1-908411-41-9 Prc

  978-1-908411-4 2-6 Pdf

  The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

  eBook conversion by M-Y Books

  HIDING FROM LOVE

  The gentleman stood silently for a moment. Then he drew on his gloves and held his hand out to Leonora.

  “Come,” he invited.

  “Thank you sir, but no.”

  His next move disarmed her. Reaching forward, he took Leonora’s hand and drew her from behind the table.

  Much to her consternation she felt herself yield.

  There was something compelling about this man’s character and tone that made her will melt away like snow in the rays of the sun.

  In an instant Leonora was transported into a world she had never even dreamt existed, let alone experienced.

  She was in a realm of air. Held close against this stranger’s chest, she was weightless and dreaming.

  The music seemed to penetrate her very soul.

  “Oh – this is so wonderful,” she breathed.

  The gentleman said nothing, but gazed down into her ecstatic face for a moment.

  Then he clasped her more tightly to him.

  Too soon, far too soon, it was over and the violins fell silent.

  The gentleman in the mask stood back and bowed as the sound of applause came from the antechamber.

  THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION

  Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.

  She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.

  Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.

  Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.

  The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.

  The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.

  The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to www.barbaracartland.com to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.

  If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :

  Barbara Cartland.com Ltd.

  240 High Road,

  Harrow Weald,

  Harrow

  HA3 7BB

  United Kingdom.

  Telephone & fax: +44 (0)20 8863 2520

  Titles in this series

  These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the Where to buy page at the end of this book.

  1. The Cross Of Love

  2. Love In The Highlands

  3. Love Finds The Way

  4. The Castle Of Love

  5. Love Is Triumphant

  6. Stars In The Sky

  7. The Ship Of Love

  8. A Dangerous Disguise

  9. Love Became Theirs

  10. Love Drives In

  11. Sailing To Love

  12. The Star Of Love

  13. Music Is The Soul Of Love

  14. Love In The East

  15. Theirs To Eternity

  16. A Paradise On Earth

  17. Love Wins In Berlin

  18. In Search Of Love

  19. Love Rescues Rosanna

  20. A Heart In Heaven

  21. The House Of Happiness

  22. Royalty Defeated By Love

  23. The White Witch

  24. They Sought Love

  25. Love Is The Reason For Living

  26. They Found Their Way To Heaven

  27. Learning To Love

  28. Journey To Happiness

  29. A Kiss In The Desert

  30. The Heart Of Love

  31. The Richness Of Love

  32. For Ever And Ever

  33. An Unexpected Love

  34. Saved By An Angel

  35. Touching The Stars

  36. Seeking Love

  37. Journey To Love

  38. The Importance Of Love

  39. Love By The Lake

  40. A Dream Come True

  41. The King Without A Heart

  42. The Waters Of Love

  43. Danger To The Duke

  44. A Perfect Way To Heaven

  45. Follow Your Heart

  46. In Hiding

  47. Rivals For Love

  48. A Kiss From The Heart

  49. Lovers In London

  50. This Way To Heaven

  51. A Princess Prays

  52. Mine For Ever

  53. The Earl’s Revenge

  54. Love At The Tower

  55. Ruled By Love

  56. Love Came From Heaven

  57. Love And Apollo

  58. The Keys Of Love

  59. A Castle Of Dreams

  60. A Battle Of Brains

  61. A Change Of Hearts

  62. It Is Love

  63. The Triumph Of Love

  64. Wanted – A Royal Wife

  65. A Kiss Of Love

  66. To Heaven With Love

  67. Pray For Love

  68. The Marquis Is Trapped

  69. Hide And Seek For Love

  70. Hiding from Love

  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.

  “I know that if I had ever tried to hide myself from love, I would have been caught so quickly it would have been ridiculous!”

  Barbara Cartland

  CHAPTER ONE

  -

  1892

  Summer term at the fashionable Fenfold Academy for Young Ladies had ended.

  All sorts of vehicles were drawn up in front of the large house, waiting to convey the girls home. It always took so long for these pampered pupils to say goodbye!

  Isobel Lapaz stood at the top of the steps, drawing on her white gloves.

  She was leaving Fenfold for good. Her parents in Brazil had decided that they wanted her to go to school in Rio de Janeiro and live at home.

  She turned to her friend Leonora.

  “Oh, Leonora, I shall miss you so much!”

  “I shall miss you too, Isobel.”

  “You must come and visit me one day.”

  “I would love to, but Brazil is a long way away.”

  Leonora did not add that it was far too expensive a journey for her to even contemplate, but Isobel understood.

  “One day it will be possible, you will see, Leonora. Until then, I will never forget you. We have had so much fun together, haven’t we?”

  Isobel hugged her and then ran to her carriage.

  Leonora watched as the coachman helped Isobel to climb in before leaping onto his box and lashing his whip.

  Isobel leant from the window.

  “Goodbye Leonora!” she waved vigorously, though her eyes were full of tears.

  “Until Brazil, dear friend.”

  “Until Brazil!” echoed Leonora without conviction.

  Although the day was warm, she gave a little shiver as Isobel’s carriage bowled away along the wide driveway.

  There went her best friend in the world. Who knew when they would meet again?

  There was nothing for her to do now but wait for the school trap that would take her to Stroud, where she would meet the public coach to Bristol and from Bristol the family trap would convey her on the last lap home.

  ‘Home!’ murmured Leonora.

  How sweetly the word ‘home’ had once rung in her ears, but now it carried with it a vague sense of foreboding.

  Leonora’s beloved Papa had died two years before and her world had seemed to fall apart.

  Edward Cressy had been a hero to his daughter.

  The youngest son of a minor country Squire, he had refused to enter the Church or join the Army as his father prescribed. Instead he had followed his keenest interest, which was literature and joined a publishing firm.

  To his family a book was of incomprehensibly less use in the world than a garden rake or a chamber pot so this amounted to sacrilege.

  They were further outraged when Edward married Lucy, who they considered beneath his station, principally because she had once worked as a Governess.

  Squire Cressy cut him out of his will and only his Aunt Doris felt a sneaking sympathy for the young man.

  When Edward and Lucy had a daughter, Leonora, Aunt Doris elected to pay the child’s school fees when the time came.

  She had been as good as her word and at the age of ten Leonora had been enrolled at the exclusive Fenfold.

  At Fenfold Leonora mixed with girls from far more wealthy families than her own and yet she was never envious.

  Her parents were very happy together in the little house they called Cressy Cottage and if it had not been for her desire for a good education, Leonora would have found it unbearable to leave her family each term.

  Then her father had died and life was never to be the same again.

  Leonora’s mother was left with a small pension and a little income from an investment her husband had made.

  For a while she seemed to lose the will to live and even her daughter’s company brought her no solace.

  Fortunately Aunt Doris, a rich widow without any children, continued to pay the fees at Fenfold.

  For Leonora, school became something of a refuge from the sad memories of Cressy Cottage and she became determined to make the best possible use of her education.

  She continued to enjoy Fenfold, but it was always difficult on those weekends when parents were allowed to visit and take their progeny out to tea.

  Her parents rarely had enough money to come all the way from Broughton to see her, let alone to indulge her for an afternoon.

  Now, of course, her Mama never came at all.

  Isobel Lapaz, whose parents lived so very far away in Brazil, was the only other pupil left behind at weekends and she and Leonora became really good friends, sharing a love of books and a sense of fun.

  They grew bored listening to the other girls discussing the latest fashions or aristocratic weddings – and they grew particularly bored when the subject of romantic love arose.

  “I shall not marry till I have seen the whole world!” declared Isobel with resolution.

  “And I shall not marry till I meet a man who knows as much about books as my father!” added Leonora.

  Isobel considered.

  “I don’t think any man is as interesting as reading or travelling,” she intoned solemnly and Leonora agreed.

  They preferred their own company and sometimes they felt they were better off than some of the other pupils.

  Poor Clara, to have her father arrive at the school in a state of inebriation!

  And poor Edith Lyford; her father had died in a far away country and then her Guardian had embezzled all her inheritance!

  Isobel and Leonora were so sorry to see Edith leave Fenfold and go to live with an impecunious cousin.

  Leonora gave the girl her own volume of Byron’s poems and Isobel gave her a beautiful Japanese fan.

  Edith had clutched the gifts gratefully to her breast.

  “I will never forget your kindness!” she sobbed.

  Leonora and Isobel regarded her with concern.

  “Is there no hope – of retrieving the money?”

  Edith blew her nose.

  “My father’s partner is soon to return to England. Maybe he will help, but I don’t see how. My Guardian has just disappeared!”

  “Have you met the partner yet?” asked Leonora, her head on one side. “Do you know what kind of man he is?”

  “I haven’t seen him since I was five years old, but I remember him as tall and handsome and so kind to me. He let me dance on his toes!”

  Leonora and Isobel exchanged glances.

  “Well, he sounds as if he might take good care of you now,” suggested Isobel helpfully.

  They often thought of Edith after she had left, but as the months passed they heard nothing from her.

  Then Leonora’s world became turned upside down again and all thoughts of Edith flew out of her head.

  *

  One day she was summoned from her art class to the Headmistress’s Office.

  There, she was astonished to find her mother sitting on a sofa, twisting her gloves nervously in her hands.

  “Mama!”

  The Headmistress rose and departed from the room.

  Mama patted the seat beside her.

  “Come and sit here, L
eonora.”

  Leonora did as she was bidden, noting the gravity of her mother’s tone.

  “I have some news for you, my dear.”

  “News?”

  “Yes. I want you to know that, after Fenfold, your future is assured.”

  “What do you mean, Mama? I would hope that you haven’t found a husband for me, because I – ”

  “Hush now, my dear. I have not found a husband for you, I have, rather, found a husband for myself.”

  Leonora’s hand flew to her mouth.

  “Mama!”

  “He is a gentleman of private means. We shall not – be rich, to be sure, but – comfortable. Yes, comfortable. And you will have the protection of a stepfather. He is a man of firm temperament and – I am quite fond of him – ”

  She crunched her gloves into a ball and repeated,

  “Quite – fond.”

  Leonora at last found her breath.

  “Mama, what are you thinking of? I don’t want a stepfather! You are doing this for me, aren’t you? And you need not. I will take care of us. I will find work when I leave Fenfold.”

  “Bless you, bless you, my dear,” her mother’s eyes filled with tears, “but that is two years away – you are only sixteen – and life is hard for me. I have to struggle so.”

  “Don’t, Mama, don’t! I cannot believe you care for this – for this man of firm temperament. You loved Papa!”

  Mama wiped her eyes.

  “Oh yes, I loved your Papa. But he is gone. And I must be certain that you – we – are suitably provided for. You must soon move in circles where you will end up meeting a gentleman of consequence.”

  “I don’t want someone of consequence,” Leonora cried. “There will never be a man of such consequence as Papa. I shall never marry – and neither should you.”

  Mama summoned all her remaining strength.

  “But I already have, Leonora. It is done.”

  Leonora sank back in her chair.

  “Done! Why did you come all this way just to say it is done?”

  “I-I wanted to tell you in person. When you return home – Mr. Schilling will be there.”

  “Mr. Schilling!”

  The name made Leonora snort with angry derision.