Hiding from Love by Barbara Cartland

stared at Leonora with shining eyes.
    â€œMiss Cressy?  Can you be by any chance running away for love ?”
    Leonora was spared the necessity of a reply by Mrs. Griddle, who turned and slapped Desirée’s wrist.
    â€œYou are not to bring up such a subject, daughter!”
    Desirée shrank back in her chair as a flash of anger crossed Mr. Chandos’s face.
    He concealed the emotion quickly, but Leonora did notice.  She also noticed how from that moment on he took no further part in the general conversation, but redoubled his attentions on Desirée.
    He filled her glass with wine, helped her to bread rolls, and even removed the bones from her fish when she expressed her dislike for the task.
    From time to time Mrs. Griddle glanced over at her daughter and Mr. Chandos with an air of satisfaction that dismayed Leonora.
    She had never considered herself a great beauty, but surely she was more pleasing to the eye than Desirée?
    The girl had the distinct air of a shadow – a skeletal creature with hair so pale it was almost white and pupils lacking any discernible colour.
    She was a mere mouse!
    And yet here was the elegant and distinguished Mr. Chandos, showering her with attention.
    It – was not – fair!
    She, Leonora, had encountered him first!

CHAPTER SIX
    A half hour later Leonora stood staring out over the dark waves.  A sea breeze blew and she gave a shiver.
    She wished that Finny would hurry with the shawl he had gone to collect from her cabin.
    It was Finny who had suggested a stroll on the deck before retiring for the night.
    He had found her in dismal spirits in her cabin.  She had left the supper table before pudding, unable to bear any longer the sight of Desirée monopolising Mr. Chandos.
    Leonora was relieved to see Finny and had agreed with alacrity to a stroll.  The sight of the star-laden sky had lifted her spirits, but the night air was so cool.
    Placing her hands on the ship’s rail, she gazed out at the horizon, a thread of pale light between sea and sky.
    Shivering again, she looked for Finny.  There was no sign of him, but her eye was caught by the red glow of a cigar in the shadows.
    â€œHello?” she called out.
    The red glow advanced.
    Her heart lurched as she saw that it was held in the left hand of Mr. Chandos.  He went to the rail and flicked the cigar overboard, then leaned on his elbows to watch it being swallowed by the deep.
    He said not a word and she wondered unhappily if he did not feel inclined to talk to her because it was she and not Desirée.
    â€œIt’s a beautifully clear night,” she ventured at last.
    He turned his head slightly, but she could not read his expression as the moonlight was behind him.
    â€œIt is indeed,” he replied.  “Had we been on deck a short while ago we might have seen the Scilly Isles.  We should reach the Azores in two days time.”
    â€œYou have – made this journey often, then?”
    â€œNot often enough.”
    He raised his head to regard the sky and the large white moon riding there.
    â€œAn Atlantic moon,” he murmured.
    Leonora followed his gaze.
    â€œIs it – so very different – from other moons?”
    â€œLook at it.  Is it the same moon you can see from your bedroom window in England?”
    â€œWell – no.  At home, at most times, it looks softer as if it’s wrapped in muslin.  Only on very frosty nights is it like this – sharp as a blade.”
    â€œAlas!  It’s not often enough that I witness a frosty English night.”
    â€œOh, you don’t live in England?”
    â€œI live in Brazil,” he answered.
    â€œIn – Rio?”
    â€œIn Rio,” came the firm reply.
    Recalling that the Griddles were going on to open a shop in São Paulo, she felt an ungallant surge of triumph.
    Her rival Desirée would be leaving the field free!
    She studied his profile as he stared out to