Flight to Verechenko Read Online Free Page B

son?’
    Caroline shook her head. ‘Dominic wouldn’t marry for convenience. He and Robert were very close and used to meet often without their father’s knowledge. It’s my guess Dominic has seen you many times with Robert when you were in France, visiting your grandmother.’
    Catherine stared at her. ‘But why shouldn’t Robert have introduced us openly?’
    â€˜And risk the Duke’s wrath if you should have inadvertently let it slip? Far easier for you, my sweet, if you knew nothing. Don’t act rashly. Wait until you see him then make your decision.’
    â€˜No.’ Catherine pushed the shining mass of her hair away from her face. ‘I couldn’t love anyone else as I did Robert.’
    She felt such pain at her infidelity of a few moments ago that the breath caught in her throat and she could hardly speak. ‘Please give me the money, Caroline. My grandmother will understand. She’ll look after me.’
    Caroline sighed. ‘Very well. If your mind is made up.’
    As she rose to her feet there came the unmistakable sound of a fist pounding hard on the outside door. Caroline’s father hurried confusedly downstairs, fumbling with his dressing gown. Seconds later he was facing a raging Lord Davencourt.
    â€˜Is my daughter here?’ Lord Davencourt thundered. ‘By God, Oversley, if you’ve encouraged her in this foolishness I’ll never forgive you!’
    â€˜What the devil do you mean?’ Caroline’s father asked bewilderedly. ‘What is this? Stop waving your cane at me in that stupid manner, Davencourt. It’s the middle of the night.’
    â€˜I’m well aware what time it is!’ Lord Davencourt brushed past Mr Oversley and pushed open the drawing-room door.
    The two girls clutched at each other as their fathers’ wrath exploded round them.
    â€˜Home!’ Lord Davencourt bellowed.
    â€˜To bed!’ Caroline’s father commanded, red with rage at the disturbance of his sleep and fearful of what scrape his empty-headed daughter had got herself into.
    â€˜It isn’t Caroline’s fault. She didn’t know I was coming. I …’
    â€˜Home!’ Lord Davencourt frothed at the mouth.
    â€˜Some explanation, old man,’ Mr Oversley said, relieved that Davencourt’s wrath was centred entirely on Catherine.
    â€˜Family matter.’ Lord Davencourt said, pushing rudely past him as he dragged his unwilling daughter in his wake. ‘Speak to you in the morning.’
    Lord Davencourt’s fury was nothing to that of his wife. Even Catherine had shrunk before her step-mother’s ice-cold rage. Lady Davencourt, knowing only too well that if she took a cane to Catherine she would kill her, had with enormous self-control commanded that Catherine be locked in her room and stay there until she regained her senses.
    It was midday before the key turned and Eleanor entered with a tray of water and two thin slices of bread. Outside, and trying not to look uncomfortable, stood two of the footmen.
    Catherine laughed mirthlessly. ‘Did Mama think that I would attack you and try to escape?’
    â€˜I don’t know, Lady Catherine,’ Eleanor said truthfully. ‘ Lady Davencourt is exceedingly angry.’
    â€˜She always is if she isn’t having her own way. I wish I were you, Eleanor: marrying a man I loved—or even going to Russia.’
    â€˜I can’t stay, Lady Catherine. Lady Davencourt gave me strict instructions simply to leave the tray in the room.’
    Catherine’s eyes sparked with an expression that would have made her step-mother instantly wary. ‘Have you still got your passport and sailing ticket, Eleanor?’
    â€˜Yes …’
    â€˜And the Vishnetskis can’t have heard yet that you’re not going?’
    â€˜I wouldn’t know, your ladyship.’
    Catherine’s eyes gleamed. ‘ The next time you bring my