Read Online Hiding from Love by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

began Leonora.
    The clerk looked over the top of his glasses.
    â€œDid you have any particular ship in mind, miss?”
    â€œWell, any ship going to Brazil would do.”
    â€œBrazil, eh?  Are you travelling alone, miss?”
    â€œI am,” admitted Leonora, colouring.
    â€œWhat age are you?”
    Leonora lifted her chin defiantly.
    â€œOld enough to travel, sir!  I am sixteen.”
    The clerk seemed to consider.
    â€œThere’s a ship embarking for South America this evening,” he said at last.
    â€œThat’s wonderful!”
    â€œIt’s a cargo ship, miss.  It takes passengers, but I should warn you that there’s no First Class.”
    â€œOh, that is quite all right with me,” said Leonora, secretly grateful that she would not be put in the position of having to reveal that she could not afford First Class.
    She must conserve her small funds, since she had no idea how far they would stretch before she could secure employment at her destination.
    The clerk picked up a pen to write out a ticket.
    â€œDo you have much luggage, miss?”
    â€œN-not much,” confessed Leonora, thinking of the sheet knotted at its four corners.
    â€œAnd I presume your papers are in order?”
    â€œMy p-papers?”
    â€œYour travelling papers, miss.”
    It was something Leonora had not considered – had not even thought necessary.  She stared in utter dismay at the clerk, as he slowly raised his head to look at her.
    â€œ Your papers ,” he repeated.
    â€œI-I am afraid I-I quite forgot them – in the rush of packing.  Are they – essential?”
    The clerk regarded her severely.
    â€œMiss, you cannot leave this country or enter into another country without them.”
    Leonora, in complete despair at seeing her plans so unexpectedly dashed, burst into unrestrained tears.
    â€œYou don’t understand,” she sobbed.  “I-I must go to Brazil.  There’s nowhere else for me now.”
    She was aware of a slight rustle behind her as the gentleman by the door folded his paper and rose to his feet.
    â€œI think I may well be of some assistance,” came his strangely familiar voice.
    Leonora swung round, her eyes opening wide as she recognised the face before her.
    It was that of Señor de Guarda !
    *
    The clerk regarded Señor de Guarda with interest.
    â€œAnd how might you be of assistance?” he asked.
    Before replying to him, Señor de Guarda took out a handkerchief and handed it to Leonora.
    As he intended, she pressed it to her brimming eyes and so did not notice his next move, which was to take his wallet from his pocket and move closer to the counter.
    â€œI might be of assistance to the tune of five pounds, for example,” he murmured pointedly.
    The clerk ran his tongue over his lips and glanced at Leonora, who was still dabbing the tears away.
    â€œI’m assuming the five pounds would require a few – um – stipulations to be overlooked?”
    â€œExactly.  So what do you say?”
    The clerk lowered his voice.
    â€œI take it – you know this young lady, sir?”
    Señor de Guarda shrugged.
    â€œCertainly I do.  You may be assured.”
    â€œWell then, sir!”  The clerk reached out and swiftly drew the five pound note from Señor de Guarda’s hand.
    â€œI shall issue a ticket immediately.”
    Leonora raised her head to Señor de Guarda.
    â€œHe is – selling me a ticket?”
    â€œOf course.  All you must do is pay for it.”
    He stepped aside as Leonora rested her reticule on the counter and with trembling fingers she took from it the leather pouch embroidered with the letter ‘ F ’.
    Señor de Guarda’s eyes settled on this for an instant before he looked away, whistling softly under his breath.
    The clerk took Leonora’s money and then held up her ticket in an admonishing manner.
    â€œWhen you reach