Love and the Loathsome Leopard Read Online Free PDF Page A

mirror the – feelings and emotions of everyone who had lived in it.”
    She looked at him swiftly, then away again as if embarrassed by what she had to say, but felt she had to say it.
    “So many generations of different people have lived at Larks Hall, some good, some bad, and when I am alone here I can – feel the atmosphere they – left still on the air and in the – rooms they occupied.”
    As if she thought she was being too revealing, she rose to her feet to move across the room and stand looking out the window into the sunshine.
    Once again her head was haloed in gold and, looking at her slim figure, Lord Cheriton thought she seemed insubstantial and ethereal – a being from another world.
    “To me the bedroom where the late Lord Cheriton slept until he died seemed – dark and frightening,” Wivina said in a low voice.
    Lord Cheriton stared.
    It was what he felt himself, but he had never imagined anyone else would feel the same.
    “I told Papa what I felt,” Wivina went on, “and I knew he agreed although he would not admit it.”
    “So he blessed the rooms and exorcised the evil spirits who occupied them?”
    There was just a touch of mockery in Lord Cheriton’s voice, but Wivina answered him seriously,
    “He blessed every room in the house and since then the evil is gone and there is only happiness.”
    She turned round as she spoke and walked back towards him.
    “I don’t expect you to – believe me,” she said, “but I felt I had to – explain why I spoke as I did.”
    “I am trying to understand, Miss Compton, but perhaps I find it hard to believe that prayer can be so powerful.”
    “It of course – depends upon who–says the prayers.”
    There was just a faint smile on Wivina’s lips as she spoke and Lord Cheriton made a gesture with his hand as if acknowledging defeat.
    “You have certainly given me something to think about, Miss Compton.”
    “And you will not – tell Lord Cheriton that we are –here?”
    “Perhaps I can see the rest of the house,” Lord Cheriton suggested. “I would be interested to see how it has survived when the intention was to let it fall down.”
    “Yes, of course, I will show you round,” Wivina agreed, “if it will not take up too much of your time.”
    There was something in the way she spoke that made Lord Cheriton think she was eager to be rid of him.
    “I am in no hurry,” he replied, “and, as it happens, seeing what a charming part of the world this is, I was wondering, now that the war is over, if I might settle here.”
    “Settle – here?”
    There was no doubt that she was startled by the suggestion.
    “I might farm a few acres of land,” Lord Cheriton said reflectively. “After fighting for so long, I need peace and the company of pleasant neighbours.”
    He saw that what he was saying agitated her. ]
    “There is nothing here to let or to sell,” she said quickly. “But I am sure you will find something farther along the coast.”
    “Larkswell is a very beautiful village.”
    “Yes, but it is very small. We have few neighbours.”
    “No country Squires? No aristocratic houses such as this used to be?”
    “No, none – none at all,” Wivina said positively.
    “You are certainly not welcoming me to your neighbourhood, Miss Compton.”
    “I am sorry – but I assure you it would be – best for you to look elsewhere.”
    “How can you be sure of that? I was thinking as I rode here how delightful the countryside was and the fields through which I passed seemed quite fertile.”
    “I promise you – ”
    There was a sudden interruption as from the hall there came the sound of a man’s voice.
    “Wivina! Where are you, Wivina?”
    At the sound, the blood seemed to drain from Wivina’s face, leaving her curiously and unnaturally pale.
    “There is – someone wanting – me,” she said unnecessarily. “Wait – here.”
    Her voice was breathless.
    Then, moving so quickly across the salon that she almost seemed to fly, she