65 A Heart Is Stolen Read Free

reminiscing and go and get dressed, unless I am to go off alone.”
    “It will not take me long,” Anthony said. “Tell Hawkins to arrange for one of the footmen to pack my things. I did not bring a valet as you know.”
    “Hawkins will see to it,” the Marquis replied. “I will go and order breakfast.”
    “Brandy for me,” Anthony said, “and I had better have coffee as well, if I am to keep awake.”
    He followed the Marquis towards the door.
    “Where are we going?”
    “I have not decided,” the Marquis said, “but doubtless I will think of somewhere while we are eating.”
    “Well, for Heaven’s sake, choose somewhere with comfortable beds,” Anthony replied. “I shall need one by the time we reach our destination.”
    The Marquis did not reply because he was giving Hawkins instructions.
    “Pack for me, Hawkins, and arrange for Sir Anthony’s clothes to be ready when mine are. I will take my phaeton and you can follow in the travelling chariot with Jem.”
    “Very good, my Lord,” Hawkins replied quite unperturbed at the sudden upheaval.
    “Arrange to have Mr. Bradley awakened,” the Marquis went on. “I will tell him what to do about the rest of the party after we have gone.”
    “I’ll do that, my Lord,” Hawkins nodded. “Where are we going, if I might ask? So that I may know what clothes to pack for your Lordship.” The Marquis put his hand up to his head as if it still ached.
    “I have not really decided, Hawkins. What do you suggest?”
    “I was only thinking yesterday, my Lord, when your Lordship remarked that it was unconscionably hot for September that I personally could do with a touch of the sea breezes, such as His Royal Highness must be enjoying at Brighton.”
    The Marquis stared at his valet and then gave an exclamation.
    “You are right, Hawkins, of course you are right,” he said. “We will go to Heathcliffe.”
    “A good idea, my Lord. We’ve not been there for, let me see now, it must be four – or is it five – years?”
    “It is five,” the Marquis said, “although I drove there two years ago from Brighton for luncheon.”
    He stopped, then murmured beneath his breath,
    “Heathcliffe will be the perfect place to hide.”
    Then in a louder voice he said,
    “That is where we shall go, Hawkins, but keep the information entirely to yourself. I have no wish for my guests to follow me with the misguided idea that I need their company.”
    There was a knowing look in Hawkins’ eyes as he replied,
    “I understand, my Lord, but I think your Lordship would be wise to send a groom ahead to alert them.”
    “I have always made it a rule that my houses, wherever they may be, are ready to receive me without notice,” the Marquis responded sharply.
    “Of course, my Lord,” Hawkins said soothingly, “at the same time – ”
    “Oh, very well, have it your own way,” the Marquis said. “I suppose you are thinking that there will not be a decent meal ready for us if we don’t give them notice of our arrival. But if everything else is not in order, I shall be extremely annoyed, make no mistake about that!”
    Hawkins did not reply, he was hurrying down the corridor to carry out his instructions.
    The Marquis, as he walked slowly down the stairs, had a feeling that it would be good for the servants at Heathcliffe to be awoken out of the lethargy into which they had doubtless succumbed after such a long absence on his part.
    As it happened, this was the second time he had thought of Heathcliffe in the last twenty-four hours.
    Last night one of his guests, Peregrine Percival, a somewhat dandified acquaintance he had not known for long, had offered him a pinch of snuff, which was actually something he abhorred.
    “I never touch the stuff!” the Marquis had replied.
    “Of course! I had forgotten!” was the reply, “but knowing your exceptional taste, I hope you admire my new snuffbox. I bought it only a few days ago.”
    The Marquis had taken the snuffbox in his