Prelude to Love Read Online Free Page A

the newness out of the material. It does soften it, so much handling. But we'll decide later. You had better see your papa and be sure we are to attend the ball."
    "He couldn't be so mean!"
    "I'm sure he would not, but he has had the horses put to, and whatever can he have done that for? He is not well enough to go anywhere, and it is the old traveling carriage that is being washed down."
    With an expression of the utmost fright, Vanessa threw on her dressing gown and hurried out the door. She burst into his room, wearing a worried frown.
    "Don't worry, my dear, I am not dying," her father said, in a comforting way. "I expect the servants have frightened you half to death."
    She noticed then that he was paler than usual, his face bearing traces of his suffering, in the deep lines that gouged ruts from nose to chin. She felt sorry for him, and some remorse for her selfishness. It must be horrid to be an old man, sick and unable to enjoy any of life's pleasures. It was enough to put anyone out of humor. "You look pale, Papa. Can I do something for you?"
    "It happens you can," he said, and went on to outline what was demanded of her. All her sympathy and remorse evaporated. He was doing it on purpose to make her miss the ball.
    "But I can't go today, Papa!" she exclaimed.
    "You can and must," he told her, not stridently, but very firmly.
    "What can be so important it cannot wait till tomorrow?"
    "The letter you are to deliver to Sir Giles for me. Don't ask what it contains. I am not at liberty to divulge it to just anyone. You must take my word for it the matter is of great importance and great urgency. You will drive as hard as you can, stopping only when necessary. Don't speak to anyone—that is, I would not like you to act in any suspicious manner. Behave as though you were going for a social visit, but do it with all speed. Stay overnight at good inns, but be up and leave early in the morning. I cannot foresee any danger in it for you, if you leave promptly and set a hot pace. No one will know you are gone till you have driven safely beyond catching up. Speed and discretion—I cannot impress their necessity on you too strongly."
    "Just one more day, Papa," she said, disheartened. "Tomorrow ..."
    "Don't make me ashamed for you, Vanessa," he said. "You are singularly fortunate in being chosen to perform one worthwhile act in your worthless life. Do it with pride and pleasure. Much depends on it. I say with regret that I would not entrust this mission to you if I had anyone else I might send."
    "Parkins could ..."
    "My decision has been made," he said. "Leave, as quickly as you can throw your linens into a valise."
    She returned to her room, her bottom lip quivering, a tear forming in her eyes. She cast a loathsome glance at the letter to Sir Giles Harkman. It was all a hoax, an excuse to keep her from Colonel Forrester. Oh, it was cruel!
    Miss Simons awaited her, still examining the gown. "We have put on too many velvet bows," she decreed, mentally selecting those for removal. "The spangles we shall leave as they are."
    "By all means leave the gown as it is, for I shan't be wearing it. We are not going to the ball," Vanessa said, her voice grim.
    "My pet! You cannot mean it!"
    "I have an errand to perform for Papa. A most urgent errand, you understand. A letter for Sir Giles. You are to come with me, Auntie, so you had better pack a nightgown into a valise. We are to leave within the half hour, sooner if possible."
    "Half an hour! I couldn't be ready for a week. For London one requires ..."
    "Sir Giles is at home in Ipswich."
    "Ipswich? You are mad, or your papa is. No one goes to Ipswich. I should not mind going to London tomorrow, after the ball. The Season is spent, but with autumn coming on, it would be amusing."
    "We are not going for amusement; it is only to be a social call if anyone happens to enquire."
    "What is in this marvelous letter?" Elleri asked, her eyes narrowing.
    "Business. Military business, I suppose. A