The House of Happiness Read Online Free PDF Page A

rescuer.  When she saw who it was, she gave a cry.
    The Marquis of Buckbury!
    The Marquis started in his turn. “Miss Dovedale – ”
    Hands suddenly shaking, Eugenia felt for her veil. “Yes.  It’s me.  Only I wish it wasn’t.  Oh, how I wish it wasn’t.”
    â€œMiss Dovedale, I – ”
    â€œNo. Please. Don’t say a word.  And if you ever see Mama – please – don’t say a word.  She would be so cross. But you see, she would not leave her bed – oh, where is my veil? – and I so much wanted to walk – and it was wonderful. I felt so free, and the air was so cool – it was wonderful until that man – that horrible man – I didn’t know him – really I didn’t – I didn’t know him at all – ”
    The Marquis had gazed on in silence while Eugenia, eyes brimming with unshed tears, struggled to explain herself and untangle her veil at the same time.
    â€œPermit me,” he now offered gently.
    Eugenia stood trembling as the Marquis unwound her veil from the crown of her hat. She was too embarrassed to look at him.
    â€œThere.” The Marquis stepped back and bowed.  “It is done.”
    â€œT-thank you.”  Cheeks aflame, Eugenia quickly drew down the veil.
    â€œYou will, of course, allow me to escort you home,” offered the Marquis, signalling to his manservant on the bridge.
    Eugenia recoiled in alarm. “I c-can’t.  If Mama should see me! I can’t.”
    With that, she picked up her skirts and turned to run.
    â€œMiss Dovedale!” The Marquis’s voice rang out behind her but she only ran the faster. 
    The Marquis stared after her.  Then, spinning on his heels, he strode swiftly to the bridge where his horse and manservant waited.
    Eugenia, in her flight, stumbled once or twice but otherwise never paused. Breast heaving, hair streaming from under her hat, she at last saw the lights of the Bayswater Road ahead.
    She never once looked back at the park, never once observed the two riders who followed at a distance, determined to see that Miss Eugenia Dovedale reached home in safety.  Not till Eugenia paused before her great-aunt’s house in Craven Hill did this discreet escort turn away.
    The lamps were lit in the rooms of both her mother and her great-aunt. That meant that they were awake and Great-Aunt Cloris at least would be dressing for supper.  Eugenia must be present when she came downstairs or she would wonder why.
    Her ears pricked up at the sound of the door under the porch steps opening. Eugenia peered over the railing to see Bridget emerge from the scullery.  The maid was carrying a bucket of slops to the bin. She looked up in surprise as Eugenia unlatched the gate and hurried down the steps.
    â€œWhere did you come from, miss?” asked Bridget.
    â€œI – went out for – for a stroll,” replied Eugenia.
    Bridget’s eyes grew wide with interest.  “Alone, miss?”
    â€œYes,” asserted Eugenia, adding quickly,  “you are not to tell Great-Aunt Cloris or Mama. Promise?”
    Bridget looked crafty. “And what do I get if I do promise , miss?”
    Eugenia, about to enter the scullery, paused. “ Bridget ! You want a bribe?”
    â€œI wouldn’t call it that, miss.  I’d call it a sweetener .”
    Eugenia looked helpless. “But – I don’t own anything you could possibly want, Bridget. And I don’t have any money.”
    Bridget pursed her lips. She knew this was perfectly true.
    â€œHow about if you owe me, miss?”
    â€œOwe you?”
    â€œYes.  You might have money one day.”
    â€œWell – ” mused Eugenia.  “I cannot imagine that I am ever going to have any money, Bridget, but – all right. I agree.”
    â€œThat’s settled then.”
    Eugenia stared at her for a moment and then hurried