Hiding from Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

partner reached out behind her and deftly untied the apron strings.
    In an instant Leonora was transported into a world she had never dreamt of, let alone experienced.
    She was in a realm of air.  Held close against this stranger’s chest, she was weightless and dreaming.
    The music seemed to penetrate her very soul.
    â€œOh – this is so wonderful,” she breathed.
    The gentleman said nothing, but gazed down into her ecstatic face for a moment.
    Then he clasped her more tightly to him.
    Too soon, far too soon, it was over and the violins fell silent.
    The gentleman in the mask stood back and bowed as the sound of applause came from the antechamber.
    â€œBravo!” cried Maud Broughton in withering tones.
    â€œYour apron,” she hooted, holding out the article to Leonora.
    â€œYou will have to revert to being a servant again, I’m afraid, after that taste of the high life!”
    Leonora thought that she heard the gentleman draw in his breath, but she could not be sure.
    She took the apron with fingers that trembled a bit.
    â€œI am afraid that you are under a misapprehension,” she said in a low voice to Maud.
    â€œI am no servant.  I am here because the Rector asked me to volunteer my services for which,” she added more coolly, “I am not being paid.”
    Maud toyed with the sleeve of her dress.
    â€œWell, I suppose I must apologise.  Not a servant, eh? So who are you?  What is your name?”
    â€œLeonora Cressy.”
    Maud pursed her lips.
    â€œThe daughter of the widowed Mrs. Cressy?  Then isn’t your name now – Schilling?”
    Leonora tossed her head.
    â€œI suppose my name is what I choose it to be!”
    Maud gave a dry laugh.
    â€œI interpret that answer as meaning you don’t care to be known as Mr. Schilling’s daughter?  Well, who could blame you?  His manners – or lack of them – have attracted a good deal of unfavourable comment already.  He must be a trial to live with.”
    Leonora was stunned.
    She was well aware of the gentleman listening.  She wondered why he, who had treated her with such gallantry a moment ago, should now permit his friend to address her with such effrontery.
    With a degree of bitterness she thought of the old adage that ‘ birds of a feather stick together ’.
    Maud and her companion were both aristocrats and would close ranks against someone considered an outsider – even though that outsider’s own grandfather was at least a Squire who had owned a large estate of his own.
    â€œWhatever the merits of Mr. Schilling may be,” she said now with conviction, “he is my stepfather and I do not take kindly to your describing him in that manner.”
    Maud seemed unabashed.
    â€œA flash of claws!” she sighed, almost approvingly.
    Leonora might have responded even more fiercely, but that at this moment a footman passed with a sconce of fresh candles, all burning brightly with their light falling on her and illuminating her features.
    â€œGood Heavens!” exclaimed Maud.  “What a little beauty we have here!”
    Leonora was totally taken aback by this unexpected change of subject.  She had no idea of the alluring spectacle she presented.
    Her eyes gleamed like emeralds.
    Her skin, so milky and translucent by nature, after the exertions of dancing, flushed deeply with redness, resembled a lovely pink rose after rain and her golden curls tumbled loosely about her brow.
    â€œQuite exquisite,” added Maud with an obvious but grudging admiration.
    She turned to her companion.
    â€œDon’t you agree?”
    Leonora could not help but glance at her erstwhile dancing partner, who had remained so silent.
    She was immediately struck by his attitude.  It was as if he had not only been watching and listening intently, but had also been – deliberating.
    His gaze that she believed with a sudden rush of pleasure had never left