Free Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland Page A

up, when she arrived in her room, she was turning the bed down.
    â€˜Heavens. Can I have no privacy?’ she moaned to herself.
    â€œShall I help you, miss?” Molly asked.
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    Molly bobbed a curtsy and then after lingering for a split second by the door, she took her leave.
    As soon as she heard the footsteps die away down the corridor, Robina locked her door.
    Quickly she took down a small bag from the top of her wardrobe and began to put clothes into it along with a facecloth and some handkerchiefs.
    â€˜I shall wait until everyone is in bed and then I shall make my escape,’ she told herself.
    She sat and read until she heard the house fall silent and the clock struck one. Then, as quietly as she could, she changed into her riding habit.
    Within a few moments she was creeping down the backstairs, hoping that none of the servants were still up.
    The kitchen was quiet and dark as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She tiptoed into the main pantry and unlocked the back door as quietly as she could.
    Outside the backyard was quiet. A bright moon lit her way across the garden and to the stables.
    The horses had already sensed her coming and were shuffling in their stalls. She knew that Jack often slept in with the horses and she had come prepared.
    As she opened the door to Firefly’s stall, the horse snorted at her in greeting.
    As she patted his forelock, she looked down to see the tousled blond head of Jack, as he lay on a pile of straw.
    Taking a sixpence from her purse, she crept over to the boy and gently shook him.
    â€œJack. Jack,” she whispered. “Wake up!”
    The boy was soon awake and jumped to his feet.
    â€œSorry,” he yawned, thinking he had overslept.
    â€œShhh, now listen carefully. I want you to saddle up Firefly for me, but you must promise me that you will not tell a soul. Look, here is sixpence for your trouble.”
    The boy gazed at the silver coin and without saying a word went and fetched the bridle and saddle.
    â€œNow, go and sleep with Peony – she is docile and will not mind your being there. If Charles asks you about this, say you were so tired that you did not stir all night.”
    â€œYes, miss,” answered the boy, looking scared.
    â€œDon’t worry, you will not get into any trouble. I will make certain of that.”
    Robina led Firefly out of the stables and mounted him in the yard.
    Within moments she was riding out along the dark road towards the Castle.
    *
    Although the moon was now bright, she had never ridden alone at night and it was more frightening than she thought it would be.
    The trees seemed to loom up menacingly in front of her, while the wind whipped her hair from under her hat.
    By the time she reached Hampton Castle, she was dishevelled and freezing. She had not realised how much colder it would be at night and she had forgotten to wear her gloves.
    Everything was silent as she rode into the courtyard that led to the stables.
    The only sounds to break the cool night air were the snorting of horses and the snoring of the stable boys in the hayloft.
    She quickly found an empty stall for Firefly before making her way to the Castle.
    Her first inclination was to try the French windows, but, feeling that was too much like breaking in, she decided to try the back door to the kitchen first.
    She crept around the corner and found to her great surprise that the kitchen door was wide open.
    â€˜How very odd,’ she mused as she slipped inside.
    She stood for a moment in the pitch-blackness and tried to find the electric light switch on the wall. Then she noticed a large oil lamp and a box of matches.
    â€˜Perfect. I will leave my bag here and explore. I seem to recall that the guest rooms are on the ground floor from the days of the old Earl’s large hunting parties.’
    As she crept along, the lamp threw up shadows and made her start.
    The Castle was eerie at night and as a little girl