Hiding from Love Read Free Page B

hawthorn.
    The village of Broughton was quiet as they drove through and the gates of Broughton Hall were wide open.
    After a bend in the road as they left the village, her home appeared.
    All her latent fears and apprehensions burst forth as the trap drew up and she caught sight of the sign swinging over the gatepost.
    Once it had borne, spelled out in cheerful scarlet, the name of Cressy Cottage .
    Now the same sign bore a different appellation.
    Schilling House it read, and Leonora’s heart sank in utter dismay.

CHAPTER TWO
    Mama flung open the door to greet her daughter.
    â€œHow wonderful to have you home, dearest!”
    Leonora stared at her mother in shock.
    As Mrs. Cressy her mother had been what people would call a bonny lass with bright eyes and rosy cheeks.
    As Mrs. Schilling she had become thin and anxious, her eyes darting hither and thither as if seeking to escape.
    â€œMama!” Leonora cried.  “You don’t look well!”
    She gave a laugh of enforced gaiety.
    â€œNonsense, dear!  I’m just a little tired – I couldn’t sleep last night with excitement.  Now don’t stand there gawping at me!  Come in to meet your – Mr. Schilling.”
    Leonora obviously noted the omitted ‘step-father’.
    Mr. Schilling was waiting in the parlour.  He stood legs apart on the hearth rug, hands folded behind his back.
    Leonora’s first thought as she entered the room was that he looked like a stoat.
    An angry stoat.
    It was certainly accurate that everything about Mr. Schilling suggested a character permanently on the verge of expostulation.  His cheeks were enflamed, the whites of his eyes were shot with red and his very moustache seemed to bristle with suppressed rage.
    â€œMy daughter, Leonora,” declared Mama proudly.
    He ran his eye over Leonora and frowned.
    â€œIt appears that your daughter thinks no better of her Guardian than to approach him in such a filthy state,” he muttered grimly.
    Leonora flushed.
    She had forgotten her dirty skirt and she was about to speak when her mother rushed in,
    â€œThe fault is entirely mine, Mr. Schilling.  I was so overjoyed – at seeing Leonora home I-I failed to notice the condition of her gown.”
    She turned agonised eyes on Leonora.
    â€œWhatever happened, my dear?”
    Leonora, disturbed at seeing her mother rendered so anxious by Mr. Schilling’s displeasure, turned and replied in a low voice.
    â€œI was waiting for Finny by the road, Mama, when a carriage ran through a puddle and flung muddy water all over me.”
    â€œDid the carriage stop?” asked Mr. Schilling.
    â€œWhy, y-yes.”
    â€œAnd the fellow apologised?”
    Leonora hesitated, wondering whether he meant the driver or the occupant.
    â€œHis maid did,” she answered finally.
    Mr. Schilling took his hands from behind his back.
    â€œ Maid , eh?  Was he gentry, perhaps?”
    Into Leonora’s mind swam an instant image of the gentleman with the elegant bearing and silver cane.
    â€œThere was a crest on the side of the carriage – ”
    Mr. Schilling gave a smirk.
    â€œA crest?  Oh, well!  You are forgiven, daughter.”
    Leonora flinched.
    She did not like him calling her ‘daughter’!  And why the fact that there had been a crest on the carriage should so mollify him, she could not fathom.
    â€œI suppose you took his Lordship’s card, eh?” Mr. Schilling continued.
    â€œI wasn’t offered one,” replied Leonora truthfully.
    â€œAnd you didn’t ask for one?” he probed with a grimace.  “We’ve a fool here, Mrs. Schilling!”
    Mama wrung her fingers together.
    â€œOh, not a – fool, Mr. Schilling.  I am sure Leonora was just a little distracted – perhaps by the long journey and having to deal on her own with such an incident.  She has been so – sheltered from the