Hide and Seek for Love Read Online Free PDF

will look to you for help and succour.”
    He smiled before he continued,
    â€œYou will find much of what you have learnt in The Great Game will give you valuable assistance in your new life, if nothing else.”
    David drew in a deep breath.
    He had never in his wildest dreams believed that he could ever inherit his grandfather’s title and be the owner of Ingle Hall, the ancient family home.
    When his father, Lord Richard Ingle, left England, the Marquis was an exceedingly active man and at sixty-seven he was strong for his age.
    His elder son by his first marriage, Viscount Stone, was in contrast somewhat of a weakling and although he was then over thirty, he had never married.
    David had had his difficulties, but he had failed to elicit any help from his grandfather at a time of great need.
    â€œI do appreciate,” the Viceroy was saying, “that this has given you a great shock.  And, of course, I need not say how India will miss you and so will I personally.  But I am afraid, Captain, you must leave for home immediately.”
    â€œ Immediately ?” David echoed in surprise.
    â€œBecause I think it is for your own safety as well as what will be expected of you by your family at home.  I have actually booked a cabin for you on the P & O Steamer leaving here tonight.”
    David stared at the Viceroy.
    â€œTonight – ” he muttered.
    He was finding it hard to take in first what the cable had told him and secondly the Viceroy’s attitude.
    As if the Viceroy thought he must explain, he said,
    â€œI have had, as I expect you know, a report from the Colonel at Tibbee telling me how you saved the Fort and undoubtedly his life as well as that of the garrison.”
    David made a murmur, but he did not interrupt.
    â€œHe described, in rather more detail than you have done, the devastation you caused among the tribesmen and I gather from a further report which reached me yesterday that there were a number of Russians among the dead.”
    He paused before he continued,
    â€œThis, as you know better than I do, is something they will not forget and which they will be determined to avenge.  I therefore think it important for you and for your family that you should return to England at once.”
    â€œOf course I must depart,” agreed David, “if Your Excellency believes that I cannot stay usefully, as I would really like to.”
    â€œIf the Russians avenged themselves against you, it would cause much consternation not only in Calcutta but in the Ingle family in England and in those who live on your grandfather’s estate.”
    David parted his lips to say something and then he changed his mind and remained silent.
    â€œAs you may know, I have not spent much time in England before coming here,” the Viceroy went on, “but I know that the Marquis of Inglestone had a position of great significance and as the new Marquis you will be expected to carry on his duties where he has had to leave off.”
    â€œActually the situation will be rather different, but if Your Excellency insists, I must go back to England.  But I assure you, I would much rather remain in India, however dangerous such a decision might be.”
    â€œAs you are far too valuable to us, Captain, to be wiped out quite unnecessarily, I must insist on you saving yourself.  I intend to ask Her Majesty the Queen to honour you as you well deserve for all you have done for India.”
    There was nothing David could do but thank him, so without saying anything further, he bowed himself out.
    Only when he was outside Government House did he realise almost as if he was coming out of a trance that he was now the Marquis of Inglestone .
    Now, although it seemed so incredible, he was in a position to propose to the girl he was deeply in love with.
    He was penniless apart from his Army pay.
    In his precarious life in The Great Game there was always a chance of his having no future and