Hiding from Love

HIDING FROM LOVE

BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com

Copyright © 2010 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in July 2010

ISBNs

978-1-908411-40-2 Epub 

978-1-908411-41-9 Prc 

978-1-908411-4 2-6 Pdf

The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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The gentleman stood silently for a moment.  Then he drew on his gloves and held his hand out to Leonora.

“Come,” he invited.

“Thank you sir, but no.”

His next move disarmed her.  Reaching forward, he took Leonora's hand and drew her from behind the table.

Much to her consternation she felt herself yield.

There was something compelling about this man's character and tone that made her will melt away like snow in the rays of the sun.

In an instant Leonora was transported into a world she had never even dreamt existed, 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.

“Oh – 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.

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Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists.  With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA.  In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery.  Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.

In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.

Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime.  Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values.  But above all, it was Barbara Cartland's overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.

“I know that if I had ever tried to hide myself from love, I would have been caught so quickly it would have been ridiculous!”

Barbara Cartland

Summer term at the fashionable Fenfold Academy for Young Ladies had ended.

All sorts of vehicles were drawn up in front of the large house, waiting to convey the girls home.  It always took so long for these pampered pupils to say goodbye!

Isobel Lapaz stood at the top of the steps, drawing on her white gloves.

She was leaving Fenfold for good.  Her parents in Brazil had decided that they wanted her to go to school in Rio de Janeiro and live at home.

She turned to her friend Leonora.

“Oh, Leonora, I shall miss you so much!”

“I shall miss you too, Isobel.”

“You must come and visit me one day.”

“I would love to, but Brazil is a long way away.”

Leonora did not add that it was far too expensive a journey for her to even contemplate, but Isobel understood.

“One day it will be possible, you will see, Leonora.  Until then, I will never forget you.  We have had so much fun together, haven't we?”

Isobel hugged her and then ran to her carriage.

Leonora watched as the coachman helped Isobel to climb in before leaping onto his box and lashing his whip.

Isobel leant from the window.

“Goodbye Leonora!” she waved vigorously, though her eyes were full of tears.

“Until Brazil, dear friend.”

“Until Brazil!” echoed Leonora without conviction.

Although the day was warm, she gave a little shiver as Isobel's carriage bowled away along the wide driveway.

There went her best friend in the world.  Who knew when they would meet again?

There was nothing for her to do now but wait for the school trap that would take her to Stroud, where she would meet the public coach to Bristol and from Bristol the family trap would convey her on the last lap home.

‘Home!' murmured Leonora.

How sweetly the word ‘home' had once rung in her ears, but now it carried with it a vague sense of foreboding.

Leonora's beloved Papa had died two years before and her world had seemed to fall apart.

Edward Cressy had been a hero to his daughter.

The youngest son of a minor country Squire, he had refused to enter the Church or join the Army as his father prescribed.  Instead he had followed his keenest interest, which was literature and joined a publishing firm.

To his family a book was of incomprehensibly less use in the world than a garden rake or a chamber pot so this amounted to sacrilege.

They were further outraged when Edward married Lucy, who they considered beneath his station, principally because she had once worked as a Governess.

Squire Cressy cut him out of his will and only his Aunt Doris felt a sneaking sympathy for the young man.

When Edward and Lucy had a daughter, Leonora, Aunt Doris elected to pay the child's school fees when the time came.

She had been as good as her word and at the age of ten Leonora had been enrolled at the exclusive Fenfold.

At Fenfold Leonora mixed with girls from far more wealthy families than her own and yet she was never envious.

Her parents were very happy together in the little house they called Cressy Cottage and if it had not been for her desire for a good education, Leonora would have found it unbearable to leave her family each term.

Then her father had died and life was never to be the same again.

Leonora's mother was left with a small pension and a little income from an investment her husband had made.