An Angel Runs Away Read Online Free PDF Page B

note in the Duchess’s voice and the Marquis said,
    “I have a story to tell you, Grandmama. But first I intend to tell you the truth about something which has just happened and it’s something I would not relate to anybody else.”
    The Duchess’s eyes brightened and there was a note of curiosity in her voice as she asked,
    “What has happened? I am also very curious to know why you are interested in Lady Louise?”
    “That is what I am going to tell you – ” the Marquis replied.
    *
    When he had finished speaking and the Duchess had not uttered one word from the moment he started, the Marquis’s voice which had been quiet and almost devoid of emotion suddenly had a note of anger in it as he added,
    “That is why, Grandmama, I have brought this child, Lady Louise’s daughter, who has been beaten and most inhumanely treated because of her mother’s sins, here to you.”
    He had already related how he had picked up Ula in the road and the Duchess did not seem surprised at the story but merely asked,
    “And what do you expect me to do?”
    “I will tell you exactly,” the Marquis replied. “I intend to teach both her cousin Sarah and her uncle the Earl a lesson they will never forget.”
    His voice was sharp as he continued,
    “To do so, I want you, Grandmama, to dress her and make her into the beauty her mother was. I want you to present her to the Social world in a way that will make her not merely rival but eclipse her cousin.”
    The Duchess stared at him, but her eyes were twinkling.
    “A clever revenge, Drogo, if it is possible to pull it off.”
    “That is up to you, Grandmama, and I know of no one who could do it better.”
    “Is the child beautiful enough?”
    “She is certainly unusual, but not in the same mould as her cousin.”
    “That at least is helpful and I have never known you to stake your reputation on an outsider who did not win!”
    “There might always be a first time, but I shall be very disappointed if I am not first past the winning post on this occasion.”
    “Then let me look at your entry,” the Duchess smiled.
    “I expect Burrows had the sense to wait until you were ready to see her,” the Marquis replied.
    He rose as he spoke and walked across the room.
    As he opened the door, he saw Ula in the hall inspecting one of the pictures while Burrows was explaining to her the story of how it had come into the family.
    When the Marquis appeared, Ula looked at him with an expression he knew was one of delight.
    At the same time, before she moved towards him, she said to the butler,
    “Thank you for all the things you have shown me. I have enjoyed it very much.”
    “It’s been a pleasure, miss,” Burrows replied and Ula ran towards the Marquis.
    “I thought you wanted to be with your grandmother alone, so I did not interrupt.”
    “My grandmother is now ready to see you,” the Marquis replied.
    He saw a little quiver go through her and added,
    “Don’t be frightened, she is going to help you, as I knew she would.”
    They walked into the drawing room and the Marquis was aware that his grandmother was regarding Ula with a critical eye as she moved towards her.
    Then, as she reached her and Ula curtseyed, she smiled and said,
    “I am delighted to meet you, my dear. I knew your mother and you are very like her.”
    “You knew Mama?” Ula exclaimed with a lilt in her voice. “Then you must have known her when she was such a sensation in London and people would wait outside the house for hours just to catch a glimpse of her.”
    “That is true,” the Duchess confirmed, “but apart from her looks everybody loved her for herself.”
    “Thank you for telling me that,” Ula said, “and you will understand how much I miss her – and Papa!”
    There was just a little defiant note as she spoke of her father, as if she refused to allow him to be left out.
    But the Duchess understood and she said,
    “You must tell me all about them. I have often wondered if your father and