Free Love and the Loathsome Leopard by Barbara Cartland Page A

tiger.
    Jeffrey Farlow reached the hearthrug, and now, seeing him full-face for the first time, Lord Cheriton realised that he was as evil-looking as he had thought when he saw him through the crack in the door.
    He still wore his hat on the side of his head and his clothes told Lord Cheriton that he aped a gentleman, while his coarse features and thick fingers proclaimed all too clearly the stock he had come from.
    “So – you are still here!” he said abruptly to Lord Cheriton.
    “I don’t think I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance,” Lord Cheriton replied. “My name is Bradleigh – Stuart Bradleigh.”
    “So I have heard. You were a Captain in the Army.”
    “That is right”
    “Well, we’ve no work here and less accommodation for soldiers who’ve been demobilised and are now expecting their King and country to keep them in luxury.”
    There was no mistaking the offensive note in Jeffrey Farlow’s voice, but Lord Cheriton replied good humouredly,
    “I am, as it happens, quite capable of keeping myself. What I am looking for is somewhere to settle down.”
    “It’ll not be here!” Jeffrey Farlow said. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
    “Indeed? And why should I do that?”
    “Because I tell you to and what I say round here goes!”
    There was a note in Jeffrey Farlow’s voice that told Lord Cheriton that actually he felt on the defensive and was struggling to assert his authority.
    Without being conceited, Lord Cheriton was aware that he had a strong, almost overwhelming presence, which he had developed as a leader of men and, because he had confidence in himself, he created a recognisable aura for those who were his inferiors.
    Sitting at his ease in the armchair, he was well aware that the man standing looking at him was feeling unaccountably uncomfortable and in consequence infuriated.
    “I was not aware that you owned this house,” Lord Cheriton said slowly.
    “That has nothing to do with it,” Jeffrey Farlow replied. “We don’t like strangers in Larkswell, and if they don’t obey what you would term their ‘marching orders,’ they soon find they are sorry!”
    Wivina made a little sound.
    “Please do not speak like that,” she pleaded. “Captain Bradleigh is a friend of Lord Cheriton’s, and you know how important it is that we should not be turned out of Larks Hall.”
    “It’s not important as far as I’m concerned,” Jeffrey Farlow answered, “and there’s another house waiting for you, as you well know.”
    Wivina made a little incoherent sound and looked away.
    “Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise,” Jeffrey Farlow went on. “Let this man take over this tumbledown ruin and you come to Farlow House as I have asked you to do often enough.”
    “And I have always refused,” Wivina said quickly.
    “You’re playing hard-to-get and who shall blame you?” he retorted. “But you’ll have to give in in the end.”
    Wivina shook her head, but he only smiled unpleasantly before saying:
    “I’ll make a bargain with you. Send this soldier packing and I’ll give you another week or so to think things over. If not, I’ll fetch you tomorrow evening, and, make no mistake, I mean what I say!”
    Slowly Lord Cheriton rose to his feet.
    He was considerably taller than Jeffrey Farlow and seemed to tower over him.
    “I wish you to give no ultimatums that concern me,” he said. “I am here as Miss Compton’s guest and if she wishes me to leave I will do so – tonight, if necessary.”
    “No, of course not!” Wivina said. “Captain Bradleigh is right, Mr. Farlow, you should not speak to him in such a manner, nor will I bargain with you.”
    Almost as if she was unaware of what she was doing and was simply guided by instinct, she took a step nearer to Lord Cheriton before she said,
    “I told you before that I will not marry you. In fact I would rather die than do so! You will not dictate my life for me nor