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  “But – I cannot marry him, Nanny – I cannot marry a man who is so old – or who could behave as the men were – behaving last night.”

  “I know it’s somethin’ your mother, God rest her, would never want for you, Miss Lela,” Nanny said in a low voice, “but what can you do?”

  Lela moved herself from Nanny’s arms and walked across the room.

  She stood looking out at the well-kept garden and the green fields beyond it, which was so different from the views that she had known in Italy.

  Then she suggested,

  “I must run away, Nanny! I shall go back to Italy! We will live somewhere and I will make some money from my painting.”

  Nanny shook her head.

  “I doubt if Sir Robert will let you get away as easily as that and he’ll fetch you home again.”

  Lela drew in her breath.

  Of course Nanny was right and her stepfather, who was obviously impressed by Mr. Hopthorne, would be determined to assert his authority over her and bring her back to be married.

  “Then where can I go? Where can – I go?” she asked desperately.

  There seemed to be no answer and she started to pray to her mother,

  ‘Help me, Mama – help me! You know I cannot – marry anyone, unless I – love him in the same way that you – loved Papa. Help me to escape – and at least have time to think what I can – can do in the – future.’

  Then, almost as if her mother was near to her, as she believed she was, she knew the answer.

  It came into her mind almost like a flash of lightning. She turned from the window and said to Nanny,

  “I know where I can go where I am sure – that Step-Papa will not find me.”

  “Where’s that, Miss Lela?” Nanny enquired, instinctively looking over her shoulder as if she was afraid that somebody might be listening.

  “Do you remember – Mama’s sister?” Lela asked. “I have had a card from her every Christmas and she wrote me – a very loving letter when Mama died.”

  Nanny gave an exclamation.

  “Do you mean the Baroness?”

  “Yes, of course, Mama’s older sister. Although Mama had not seen her for many years, as she was always abroad – they regularly wrote to one another.”

  “Well, now, it’s certainly an idea,” Nanny agreed, “but I’m sure Sir Robert will not approve of it.”

  “Sir Robert is not going to know!” Lela said sharply. “If he suspects I am running away, he will – stop me. I may even be locked – in my room. We have to get away, Nanny, to escape!”

  “Are you expectin’ me to come with you then?” Nanny asked.

  “You know you have to come too,” Lela replied. “I cannot travel alone. I shall need you to look after me.”

  It was like the cry of a child and Nanny answered her,

  “I’ve looked after you ever since you was born and no one shall prevent me from doin’ so now! But are you sure, dearie, that runnin’ away is the only solution?”

  “It’s the only thing – I can do,” Lela replied. “I remember, when Mama wanted to do something, how difficult it could be once Sir Robert had made up his mind to do anything different.”

  She looked at Nanny pathetically.

  “If you had heard him – raging at me just now, you would have known that he is absolutely – determined that I shall – marry Mr. Hopthorne, whatever I have to say on the – subject.”

  She felt herself shiver as she spoke and, as if she knew that she must convince Nanny, she went across to her saying,

  “Please – Nanny help me – and, although I think – at the moment that I hate all men – I want to – marry someday, but it must be to – someone like my Papa.”

  “Your father was a real gentleman,” Nanny pointed out. “Which Sir Robert is not!”

  It was something that Lela had not thought of before and she knew now that it was what she must have vaguely been aware of from the moment her mother married him.

  It was because her mother’s friends had loved her that they had accepted Sir Robert’s hospitality both in the country and in London.

  Sir Robert, she told herself, was what her father would have called an ‘outsider’ and Mr. Hopthorne, if he was his friend, was just the same.

  Lela realised that she must be practical and so she said to Nanny,

  “Pack everything we need – but let no one know what you are doing,”

  She thought that Nanny was indecisive and said,

  “It would be a mistake for us to go away empty handed – but I would do – that rather than be kept a – prisoner here until I am a – bride and, of course, it may mean that I shall have to – escape alone.”

  She knew by the expression on Nanny’s face that she would not allow her to do such a thing.

  “I’ll do as you tells me, Miss Lela,” she said, “but you know how nosey them servants can be and, if they’ve got the slightest idea what we’re up to, they’ll tell the Master.”

  “Then it’s up to us to be cleverer – than they are,” Lela declared.

  She sat talking to Nanny for about an hour and then went downstairs for luncheon.

  She found her stepfather alone in his study drinking a glass of champagne.

  The way he looked up when Lela entered told her that he was slightly ashamed of his behaviour earlier.

  She walked across the room to him and said,

  “I am sorry if I made you angry, Step-Papa, but what you said – took me by surprise.”

  Her apology made Sir Robert feel even more embarrassed and he said abruptly,

  “Forget about it! Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thank you,” Lela replied, “but I admit to being – rather hungry.”

  “Why the devil is luncheon not ready?” he demanded.

  He walked to the fireplace and reached out his hand to the bell-pull, but at that moment the door opened.

  “Luncheon is served, Sir Robert,” the butler announced.

  “And about time too,” Sir Robert growled. “Come along, Lela, you said you were hungry.”

  They went into a smaller dining room than the one they had used for the party last night,

  Lela talked about the horses that Sir Robert had recently bought and he told her that he was determined that they would excel those of any other owner in the County.

  Only as luncheon finished did he say to Lela,

  “You will not forget that Hopthorne is coming to see you this afternoon?”

  “No, of course not,” Lela answered, “and I was wondering if it would be possible – for me to go to London tomorrow or the next day to buy some clothes.”

  “Clothes?” Sir Robert expostulated. “That is all women ever think about! But you will undoubtedly want a large number for your trousseau.”

  He looked at her sharply as he spoke, as if he thought that she would protest, but Lela only smiled and replied,

  “I have only just come home, Step-Papa, and I would like to be with you – for a little while.”

  Her answer obviously took Sir Robert by surprise and then after a moment he replied,

  “There is no hurry, take your time and, of course, you will need clothes – which inevitably means money!”

  He laughed as he spoke as if it was a joke and Lela smiled.

  Then, as the carriage was at the door, Sir Robert left and she ran upstairs to Nanny.

  When John Hopthorne called at four o’clock, Lela, wearing one of her prettiest gowns, was waiting for him in the drawing room.

  When he was announced, she looked at him critically, feeling that she was seeing him for the first time.

  She knew at once that he was a man she could never love in a million years.

  There was something about his appearance and the way he walked towards her which told her that she was right and he was not the gentleman that her father had been.

  He was definitely an ‘outsider’ in the same way that her stepfather was.

  “I was hoping to se
e you alone,” John Hopthorne began. “I suppose your stepfather has told you why I am here?”

  He spoke bluntly, but Lela sensed that he was somewhat anxious and unsure of himself.

  She did not answer and after a moment he said,

  “Perhaps I had better put it clearly, I am asking you to be my wife!”

  “Why?” Lela asked.

  It was clearly a question that John Hopthorne was not expecting and he answered after a moment,

  “You are the prettiest girl I have ever seen.”

  Lela waited, thinking that he must say more.

  Then, after a somewhat uncomfortable silence, she replied,

  “I am, of course, very honoured by your suggestion, but I think it would be – wise if we got to – know each other a – little better.”

  “There is no reason for that,” he said. “I know that I want you and I will be wanting you however long we wait.”

  “But I have met you only twice and you will understand that, as we have not talked together or found out what tastes we have in common, I would like to wait until I know you very much better – than I do at the moment.”

  “I know that I want to marry you,” John Hopthorne said in a determined manner, “and I will give you everything you want within reason.”

  “I cannot think of anything I want – particularly.”

  John Hopthorne laughed.

  “That is something you will not be saying in the future! You will want jewellery, furs, horses and carriages and I will be very surprised if you do not want to redecorate certain rooms in my house.”

  “I had not really thought about any of those things.”

  “Well, of one thing you can be certain,” John Hopthorne said, “once you are married to me, you will not run short of a penny and, unless you want the moon, I will buy anything you wish.”

  Lela laughed.

  “I can see you are very kind, but I still want time to think about your proposal and also to get to know you as a man.”

  “That’s more like it, Lela, and as I want to know you as a woman, I suggest we get a little closer to each other.”

  He put out his arms as he spoke, but Lela stepped quickly away from him.

  Her heart was thumping with fear, but with amazing self-control she appeared calm and unruffled.

  “No!”

  “Why not?” he asked. “I can tell you that I want to kiss you, which I have wanted to do from the moment I first saw you.”

  “Since I am not – certain yet that I wish to – kiss you,” Lela replied, “that is – something that – will have to – wait.”

  As if he told himself that he should take the initiative, John Hopthorne moved forward to where Lela was standing at the other side of the armchair.

  “I am going to London tomorrow,” she said quickly, “and I will see if there is anything that looks to me like a – pretty Wedding gown. It is impossible – to make – a gown overnight.”

  John Hopthorne looked at her across the chair.

  “What do you say to our being married in three weeks’ time? That will give the Parson time to publish the Banns.”

  “I should think making a – smart Wedding gown will take – longer than that,” Lela replied.

  “How much longer?”

  “I will tell you – after I have been to – London.”

  “Then I suppose I shall have to be content with that.”

  “I could hardly walk up the aisle in a gown that neither fits me nor does justice to my – stepfather’s – generosity or to – your choice of a bride.”

  John Hopthorne laughed.

  “You are that all right! Now, come along, give me a kiss to seal the contract and we will be married in a month.”

  “No, you are moving – too quickly.”

  “And you are playing hard to get,” he replied.

  “Like any good huntsman, you will – enjoy a good run for your money.” Lela parried.

  He laughed again as if he could not help himself.

  Lela still stood behind the chair.

  He realised that it would seem undignified if he tried to catch her and she managed to escape.

  “Very well,” he said, “you win for the moment. But make no mistake, Lela, I am a determined chap and I am always ‘in at the kill’!”

  Lela wanted to say that was exactly what it would be.

  Instead she forced a smile to her lips and answered,

  “You sound – rather frightening and I am – sure it would be a – mistake for us not to be friends.”

  “I want to be your husband,” John Hopthorne went on in a voice that told her he did not understand what she was saying.

  “You have made that – very clear. Perhaps, as I am going to London – you could come over later in the week – and we can talk again.”

  He looked pleased at the suggestion and said after a moment,

  “I will. Please tell your stepfather that I will come to dinner on Thursday and we don’t want a large party, just ourselves.”

  He paused before he added,

  “There will be a full moon that night, if you are feeling romantic.”

  “That is something,” Lela replied, “I shall not know – until the day after tomorrow.”

  John Hopthorne looked at her and she thought that there was an expression on his face that scared her.

  Then he said,

  “I will tell you one thing before I go, you are a damned pretty woman and I would be proud to have you as my wife!”

  He spoke with such effort that Lela had the idea that she ought to applaud him.

  Instead she said in a quiet and what she hoped was a shy voice,

  “It is – very nice of you – to say so.”

  John Hopthorne turned away as if to go to the door and Lela came from behind the chair to follow him.

  Unexpectedly he turned and caught her in his arms.

  “Now I have got you!” he cried. “And I will make sure you don’t play too many tricks on me!”

  He pulled her against him and knowing that he was going to kiss her, she struggled frantically.

  He was very strong and she could not break free.

  “I want you!” he exclaimed. “God, how I want you!”

  His voice was hoarse and passionate and then, because she had turned her face away, he was kissing her cheek and her ear.

  She felt revolted by the greedy insistence of his mouth.

  “Let me – go!” she gasped.

  “You are mine and you cannot escape!” he thundered.

  She fought desperately to prevent him capturing her lips.

  Then, when it was almost impossible to breathe and she felt that she was weakening, the door opened.

  Newman the butler asked in a quiet respectful voice,

  “Would you be requiring tea, Miss Lela?”

  Mr. Hopthorne’s arms instinctively slackened and Lela fought herself free.

  She ran past Newman out of the drawing room, across the hall and up the stairs into her bedroom.

  She slammed the door and then stood with her back against it, gasping for breath.

  Her heart was beating in an agitated fashion and her lips felt dry.

  Nanny was there on her knees packing her trunk.

  “What be the matter, dearie? Who’s upset you?”

  “Quickly – Nanny!” Lela replied in a voice that did not sound like her own. “We have – to get – away – we have to!”

  As she spoke, she knew that if she was forced to marry Mr. Hopthorne, she would kill herself.

  Chapter Three

  Lela and Nanny left the house at half past five the following morning.

  Lela knew that Sir Robert would he in a deep sleep after drinking too much wine the night before.

  He had, as it happened, been far more pleasant when they had dined alone than he had been the previous evening.

  Although, after her encounter with Mr. Hopthorne, she wanted to stay in her room and see no one, but she knew t
hat it would be a mistake.

  If she was to escape from this ghastly trap that was closing around her, she had to be clever.

  ‘Help me – Papa – ’ she prayed in her heart.

  She felt that only he would understand the danger of her position.

  She had therefore talked seemingly quite naturally to Sir Robert about buying new clothes.

  “I am afraid, Step-Papa, it will cost you a great deal of money.”

  Sir Robert had laughed.

  “I don’t suppose you will bankrupt me and, of course, having worn mourning for so long, you will want pretty things in pretty colours.”

  Lela did not say that she had been wearing ‘pretty colours’ for the last three months, but merely replied,

  “I am sure I shall – find plenty of – lovely gowns in London – but how do I – pay for them?”

  She spoke hesitatingly, as if she was embarrassed at asking him for money.

  “Put them down to my account,” Sir Robert replied loftily. “That is something I have at all the best shops.”

  “I expect there will be – other items as well, like – shoes, gloves and hats.”

  Sir Robert laughed again.

  “I suppose you are asking me for some cash. Very well, I will give you fifty pounds, but mind you, I shall want an account of it.”

  “Of course,” Lela agreed, “and thank you very much, Step-Papa.”

  He drank a great deal during the dinner and afterwards.

  By the time she left him, he had drunk half a bottle of port and was beginning to slur his words.

  She had, however, obtained the money she wanted before she went to bed.

  Nanny in the meantime had not been idle and had borrowed from Newman a Bradshaw’s Guide.

  This gave the times of the trains and also, Lela saw with delight, the schedule of the Steam Navigation Company.

  She found that a ship left London from Brunswick Wharf, Blackwall, every Wednesday for Rotterdam and they sailed on Fridays as well.

  But she thought that it was a good omen that they would be able to get away tomorrow long before Sir Robert had the least suspicion that she would not return.

  She had already planned in her mind what she would say in her letter to him.

  While Nanny packed the gown she had been wearing into her trunk, she sat down at the small secretaire in her bedroom and wrote,