Read Online Hide and Seek for Love by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page A

Nanny.  We knew we could not do without her and she had nowhere to go if she left us.  She was kept out of sight and the Marquis, who was growing blind as well as everything else, believed that only Mama and I were in the house.”
    â€œIt sounds incredible to me,” sighed David.
    â€œEverything about it was horrible, especially when Mama became really ill and we dared not send for a doctor at first as we knew that the Marquis would not pay for him.  Finally, Nanny insisted I go and see the doctor and beg him on my knees to come even though he would not be paid.”
    â€œAnd did he come?”
    â€œYes, of course, he did and it was silly of us not to have asked him before.”
    There was silence for a moment and then she added,
    â€œIt was too late and Mama died.  I think her heart was weak and because of having so little food, she had not the strength she required to keep alive.”
    Benina’s voice broke on the last words and David said quickly,
    â€œI am sorry, desperately sorry to hear all this.  But I still cannot appreciate why it should have happened.”
    â€œI cannot understand it either.  Neither of us could believe that the Marquis had no money.  I think in a mad way he thought he must keep it safe and not spend it.”
    â€œI will go and see the Bank Manager tomorrow,” David told her.  “Is there any sort of conveyance left in the stables or on the estate?”
    â€œThere are two horses, but they are put out to grass, as the Marquis would not buy any food for them.”
    She gave a little sob before she continued,
    â€œThere were two others that died last winter, but I ride these two when I have the time.”
    â€œUntil your grandfather died, he kept Nanny and me running about all day fetching things for him and putting things back, mostly for no reason.”
    She paused and then explained,
    â€œBy this time he was so blind and thought Nanny was Mama and was quite content to let her dress him.”
    â€œBut surely some of the family who came here must have known what was happening?”
    â€œLord Cecil was killed in the Sudan with his Regiment.  The Viscount spent most of his time in London and when he did come home, he was so uncomfortable and complained to Nanny and me about everything.”
    â€œI am not surprised!”
    â€œWhen he knew that the Viscount was coming, the Marquis used to give us some money, just enough to buy food for the meals when he was in the house.”
    Her voice dropped to a whisper, as she added,
    â€œSometimes if we were clever, we would get a little more and keep it until after he had gone.  But he did not come very often.”
    â€œWhy did you not ask him for money?”
    â€œI did do,” answered Benina, “but the Viscount felt that his father had plenty of money and if he did not want to spend it that was his business.  Then he went back to London and did not return for a very long time.”
    David thought he could not blame him, so he said,
    â€œWhat I have to do is to find out exactly what has happened to all the money.  In the meantime I have some with me and I suggest, as your Nanny is doing the cooking, she will know how to spend it.”
    Benina gave a little jump for joy.
    â€œIf dear Nanny had not been clever enough to make the boys in the village snare some rabbits for us, I think we would have died from starvation!
    â€œLuckily I had one or two small pieces of jewellery belonging to my mother that I managed to pawn.”
    She gave a little smile.
    â€œOccasionally the Marquis would forget that he had given us money one day and gave us some more the next, saying it had to last for the week.”
    â€œI have never heard of anything quite so dreadful,” exclaimed David.  “And now you have to help me, unless, of course, you want to leave.”
    Benina’s eyes opened very wide and then she asked in a hesitating