Hiding from Love Read Free Page A

Finny’s intervention.
    â€œWe got to be a-goin’, miss.  Your mother and Mr. Schilling will be wantin’ supper.  I know there’s beef pie and rhubarb.”
    Señor de Guarda lifted his shoulders in exaggerated resignation.
    â€œHow can I compete with beef pie and – rhubarb?”
    He stepped back and blew a kiss at Leonora.
    â€œFarewell then, lovely creature!”
    Leonora waved to him as the trap passed under the arch and her cheeks burned from Señor de Guarda’s gaze.
    Emerging into the sun, Finny turned back towards the main road and Leonora could not help but notice that the grand carriage with the crest was still there.
    The gentleman she had glimpsed in the carriage had come out and now stood twirling his cane in his hand and speaking to his maid.
    Leonora noted a tall elegant frame in a velvet cloak.
    As the trap passed near the carriage, the gentleman turned and Leonora quickly looked away.
    She had no wish for more scrutiny from yet another gentleman, particularly one she felt aggrieved with.
    â€˜It must be that crest that has irritated me,’ she decided, ‘and his sending the maid out like that to do his bidding.  And that silly dog he had brought for his relative!’
    The trap skirted the gulley full of water and turned onto the road for Broughton.
    Finny’s voice intruded.
    â€œThat de Guarda looked like a pirate,” he commented.
    Leonora regarded him and then gave a giggle.
    â€œA handsome pirate, though, Finny!”
    â€œOh, yes, his moustache be as oiled as a gun barrel and his teeth were like the inside of seashells.  He had lace cuffs too and he liked lookin’ at you , miss.”
    Leonora decided that Finny had noticed too much for comfort, so she stared out at the road.
    â€œDid you, Finny – did you send out the inn boy to ask for a ‘Miss Schilling’?”
    â€œYes, miss.  I was told to.”
    â€œTold to?  By whom?”
    â€œMr. Schilling.  He said there was to be no more of this Cressy business.”
    Leonora felt hot indignation rise in her breast.
    No more Cressy business, indeed!  She would like to know whether it was obligatory under the law for her to change her name to that of her stepfather!
    Finny was pondering, his eyes fixed on the horse.
    â€œI like Cressy more, miss.  Schilling is – why, it’s a silly name.”
    â€œWhat’s Mr. Schilling like, Finny?”
    Finny considered.
    â€œHe eats all them prunes, miss.  Prunes with mutton stew.  Prunes with syrup.  Prunes with roast ham.  He can’t abide mussels and he kills snails with hot water.  He has five red handkerchiefs and I’ve seen ’em dryin’ on the line.
    â€œHe knows of all them gentry – so he says – and he curses under his breath.  He put me to sleep in the dried out water trough only it weren’t big enough, so now I sleeps in the stable loft – ”
    â€œWhat?  Not your old room by the scullery?”
    â€œIt be a gun room now, miss.  Guns and traps and fishin’ rods.”
    â€œMr. Shilling does a lot of hunting then?”
    â€œNo, miss.  But he likes to have those things.”
    Leonora turned to see the light fading on the hills.
    â€œFinny – how does he treat my mother?”
    Finny kicked the running board of the trap.
    â€œHe likes her to trim his beard,” he replied at last.
    Leonora fell silent.  What need to ask more?  She would soon discover for herself.
    She next wondered how Mr. Schilling might react if she had invited Señor de Guarda to visit her.  She had a feeling that he would not be welcome.
    She had just as clear a feeling that the gentleman with a title, or at least travelling in the carriage of someone with a title, would have been offered the best china.
    After a couple of hours, the trap turned off the main road and clipped along a small country lane bordered with