Hide and Seek for Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

he was not at all certain when it would be.
    Also he had no idea who might be in the house.
    He presumed that there would be servants, although it was doubtful if Newman would still be there as butler.
    He therefore paid the driver of the post chaise, but asked him to wait just in case the house was closed up.
    â€˜I may have to go somewhere else to find the key,’ he told himself, but he thought it a little unlikely.
    Although his grandfather had been dead for some time, the Solicitors, if no one else, would appreciate that he must come to Ingle Hall at some time.
    He reached the front door and raised the knocker – he had looked for a bell but there did not appear to be one.
    Then, as he was just wondering what he should do, there was the sound of footsteps.
    The door creaked open slowly.
    To his astonishment he found himself facing a very pretty young girl with long golden hair and blue eyes.
    She stared at him for a moment and then exclaimed,
    â€œOh, it’s you !  I thought it might be and I am sorry I have kept you waiting.”
    David followed her into the hall which was just as he remembered it, except he could see it was very dusty – the ashes of what had once been a fire were lying untidily in the great medieval fireplace.
    â€œI am sorry,” David began, “I did not give anyone notice of my intended arrival, as I was not certain when it would be.”
    â€œWe waited and waited,” replied the girl, “but the Solicitors told us that there was no reply to the cable they had sent to India.”
    David smiled.
    â€œWell, I am here now, and, as you know who I am, perhaps you will be kind enough to introduce yourself.”
    â€œI am Benina Falcon, my Lord, and I am a distant relative of your father’s mother.”
    David put out his hand.
    â€œI am delighted to meet you, Benina.”
    â€œI am afraid you will find it rather uncomfortable, but it has been so impossible for Nanny and me to do very much to the house, although we have tried.”
    David did not understand her, but for the moment he did not ask questions.
    He merely answered,
    â€œAs I have come down from London I hope there is something for dinner and I would absolutely love a cup of tea!”
    Benina laughed and he thought it a most attractive sound.
    â€œSorry!  Nanny and I did not think you might like tea, but I will run and tell her and bring it to you in the study.  We have been using that room because it is cosier than the others.  I expect you know the way.”
    She was gone before David could reply.  He stared after her, feeling somehow bewildered.
    â€˜Surely there must be some servants in the house,’ he thought.
    Although Newman has probably retired by now, he must have been replaced.  Looking around, David remembered that when he was last here there had been two footmen in the hall.
    It all seemed so weird.
    He walked down the corridor to the room where he had met his grandfather and, as he did so, he noticed again how dusty everything was.
    â€˜Surely, even though my grandfather is dead, the servants could at least dust the furniture?’
    He walked into the study and it was much cleaner.
    There were flowers arranged in two large bowls by the window and the fire, although it was not needed, had been properly laid.
    He recalled his grandfather, standing at the writing desk and speaking to him in a most offensive manner before turning him out of this house, and telling him that he was no longer a member of the family.  
    Yet now he was here to take his grandfather’s place.
    He gave a little sigh, feeling that it was not going to be easy.  If only his beloved father had lived, how different everything would have been.
    It was twenty minutes before Benina came hurrying back with his tea on a tray and put it down by the sofa.
    â€œI am afraid Nanny has only been able to make you a very small sandwich,” she announced.  “We have run out