The Cross of Love Read Free Page B

unless someone was thinking of becoming a tenant. Mind you, they always changed their mind as soon as they saw how much had to be done."
    "And now you expect me to do it," the man remarked wryly. "But this place is too big and too expensive for me even to contemplate living in."
    Rena sighed.
    "Oh, must you say that? I have often thought it would be very exciting if the house came alive again and was not left as it is now gradually to crumble until there is nothing left of it, or its beautiful gardens."
    "That's a beautiful hope," he said, "But there is one grave difficulty."
    "What is that?"
    "I can say it in one word. Money! Money to make the house habitable. Money to employ gardeners, farmers, money for horses to fill the stables."
    "That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to ride over your land, but as my father had a very small stipend, we could never afford a horse, much as we longed to have one."
    "Yes, of course, you said your father was the parson."
    "He was parson to the village and of course, this house, for over twenty years. Now when the bishop finds the right man another parson will prevail here and I will have to leave."
    There was a note of pain in her voice which the young man heard.
    After a moment he said: "If I can afford it, I would do all those things. I would ask you to help me make this house as beautiful as it used to be, when it was first built."
    "Oh, how I would love that," Rena answered. "But you speak as if it's impossible!"
    "It is. I've been abroad because I was serving in Her Majesty's Navy. When my ship returned to England I learnt, to my astonishment, that they had discovered, after hunting high and low, that I was the only living relative of the last Earl who reigned here. I'm not sure how long ago that was."
    "He died ten years ago," Rena said. "I know the search for his relatives has continued ever since, but people had given up hope."
    He sighed.
    "At first it seemed part of a fairy story," he explained. "Then I realised that what I had inherited was the title itself, and this house and estate. But as for money - not even a pittance."
    "You mean you have no money even though you are an Earl?" Rena asked. This was an entirely new idea to her.
    "Not a penny. When I was told that this house came with the title, which had not been used for so long, I was, at first, thrilled at the thought of owning land and of course having a home of my own."
    He gave a rueful smile. "I didn't think it was possible to be a poor Earl either. I know better now," he added with a touch of bitterness.
    "Surely you can sell some of the land, if nothing else," Rena suggested.
    "In this condition?"
    "Can't you put it to rights?"
    "It would take thousands of pounds, and I have nothing, except what I saved out of my salary as a sailor which needless to say, was very little.
    "Besides, it's entailed. It has to go to the next Earl, who might be my son, but probably won't be, since I can't afford to marry. In fact, I can't afford to do anything. haven't a penny to my name."
    "But you have," breathed Rena in sudden excitement. "That's what I came here to tell you!"

CHAPTER TWO
    The Earl stared at Rena as though she had taken leave of her senses.
    "What did you say?"
    "You do have some money," she said excitedly. "That's why I'm here." As he continued to regard her with bewilderment she asked,. "Didn't you wonder what I'm doing here?"
    "Well - "
    "Do strange women pop up in your kitchen every day, cooking you breakfast with no questions asked?"
    "I've never had a kitchen of my own before now," he observed mildly, "so I'm a little vague about the normal procedure. But now you mention it, I suppose it is a little strange."
    "A little strange?" she squealed, indignant at his annoying composure.
    "One of the advantages of being a sailor is that you become ready for the unexpected, what ever it may be. Hurricanes, mermaids, beautiful young women springing up through trapdoors - Her Majesty's Navy is ready