The Cross of Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

cakes she had prepared and she said, "Whatever possessed you to invent that story about my being your married cousin?"
    "I was trying to be helpful," he said, aggrieved. "You were so worried about your reputation."
    "But everyone knows me in this village. They know my name's Colwell because of my father, not my non-existent husband. Matilda didn't believe a word of it. And neither did he, I shouldn't think."
    "Hang him and what he thinks! I'm sorry. That's just not the sort of thing I'm very good at."
    "You're more of a man of action," she said, smiling and forgiving him.
    "Definitely. When it comes to words I just tie myself in knots."
    "You know," she said thoughtfully, "I think we should go out tonight, looking for coins. There's going to be a full moon, and you need to know your exact position. You might be a millionaire without knowing it. John?"
    He was staring into space, but he came back with a start. "Sorry, yes we'll go out tonight." "You were in a dream world. Wyngate didn't really mesmerise you, did he?" "No, but I was trying to think where I've seen him before." "In India." "No, before that. He reminds me of someone." "Probably a picture of the devil," Rena said tartly. "No, it's a real person - if only I could think who it is."
    "Don't dwell on it," she advised. "The worst thing you can do is brood about that man. Don't let him into your mind, because once he's in there, you'll never get him out."
    "I've never heard you speak like that before," John said. "It's as though you were looking into another world."
    "I suppose I am. I'm looking into hell, and I see him there. He belongs there, and he'll take us all with him if we give him the chance."
    "Then we won't," John assured her fervently. "Now stop work and go and take some rest, for we have a busy night ahead."
    * As Rena had said there was a full moon that night, but by eleven o'clock the sky was full of storm clouds and a sharp wind was getting up. "Would you rather leave it until tomorrow?" John asked. "I don't think that would be safe. And who needs a moon? We'll take a lamp."
    Armed with the lamp and pulling their cloaks about them they left the house and made their way through the windy garden. Moving cautiously, they crossed the old bridge over the stream, and slipped into the woods.
    The wind seemed to grow fiercer every moment, and it was a relief to get among the trees, which offered some protection. At the same time the howling through the leaves and branches created an eerie effect.
    "I shall be glad to get back," said John. "This is too much like a storm at sea for my liking."
    As if in agreement there was a flash of lightning, soon followed by a distant roar of thunder.
    "Let's get this finished quickly before the rain comes," John said.
    Hand in hand they made their way between the swaying trees, until at last they saw the cross, monumental and impressive in the gloom. At that moment there was another flash of lightning, illuminating the cross that reared up before them, seeming to tower high into the sky. Then it was plunged back into darkness.
    John had brought a large knife, and while Rena held the lamp, he used this to dig into the ground. When he'd loosened some earth he plunged his hands in, feeling frantically about, then pulling the loose earth aside. She brought the lamp closer, while they both desperately sought the gleam of gold.
    But no yellow shone through the gloom.
    John groaned aloud and plunged his hands back into the earth.
    "There has to be something," he said. "There has to be - what's this?" "Have you found anything?" "Yes, but I don't think it's anything much." He brought out his hand and raised it to the lamp, so that she could see a small, leather purse. Opening it, he showed her another coin.
    And I think there's another one in there," he said. "But that's all."
    They searched a little longer, but found nothing else.
    "Well, at least you gained something," she said, trying to cheer him. "It was worth trying."
    "What did