The Cross of Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

you say?" he shouted, getting to his feet and trying to make himself heard over the wind.
    She raised her voice and repeated the words, also shouting over the wind.
    "Let's go home," he yelled.
    "Yes, let's."
    In that moment the lightning split the sky again, seeming to streak down to earth, and there, in a narrow space between the trees, she saw Wyngate.
    She caught her breath at the sight of that wicked, brooding presence, standing so terribly still. Then there was darkness again, followed by a clap of thunder so monstrous that it was as though the earth had split in two.
    "What is it?" John asked when he could speak.
    "Nothing, I - I thought I saw him - over there."
    Another flash of lightning lit up the space.
    It was empty.
    "Rena, you're getting him on the brain. You were the one who said we shouldn't do that."
    "Yes It must have been my imagination," she said, dazed. "Of course."
    "Come along."
    He grasped her arm and guided her firmly away. In a few minutes they were out of the wood, battling across the open space to the sanctuary of the house.
    Never had the kitchen seemed so welcoming. They slammed the door behind them, drew the curtains and huddled over the range, which still had some warmth.
    "Tea," she said, filling the kettle.
    "My poor girl! Are you all right? It's not like you to have hallucinations."
    "I know, but I think you're right. I'm letting my mind dwell on him, and I mustn't. Oh John, what did we find? Do look."
    He took out the coin which he had thrust into his pocket, then felt around in the purse and took out another one. They were the same as the others.
    "They might be so valuable that these few are enough," he said hopefully.
    But they both knew it was a forlorn hope.
    "How do we find out?" she asked.
    "I told you I came back from the tavern the other night to write letters. One was to an old friend in London. He's a retired clergyman, and also a very learned historian, with a great knowledge of antiques. I met him when I was a young midshipman in the Navy."
    John reddened before he added, "He got me out of a bit of trouble. All my own fault."
    "I'm sure you were a demon," Rena laughed.
    He nodded. "I wasn't the best behaved lad in the world. Anyway, I wrote to the Reverend Adolphus Tandy. I described the coins as well as I could, hoping that he might write back to tell me what they were. We shall just have to wait for his reply."
    He was drowned out again by a violent crack of thunder overhead, followed by the sound of rain pounding down.
    There seemed nothing for it but to go to bed and hope for better weather in the morning.
    * Rena woke to a drenched world. During the night the rain had flattened the long grass and swollen the stream. She slipped outside and breathed in the cool, clean air.
    She had meant to go straight in again, but something drew her down to the bridge. On this bright morning the fears of the night before seemed absurd.
    She stood on the bridge looking down into the racing water, enjoying the beauty of the day. Of course she hadn't really seen Mr. Wyngate in the flash of lightning. He was just an ordinary man, and could be fought, like any other man.
    So lost was she in these thoughts that she did not hear the approach of footsteps, and it was something in the silence that made her look up.
    And she saw him.
    He was standing just a few feet away, watching her in silence.
    The shock was terrible.
    It was as though a demon had come up through a trapdoor. Rena had no idea how long he had been there, his cold, dead eyes fixed upon her.
    "Good morning," she said, trying to sound firm.
    He didn't bother with courtesies.
    "You're a very clever woman," he grated. "Cleverer than I thought at first. Only a really sharp intelligence can play the idiot as well as you did."
    "You flatter me, sir. I assure you it was no performance."
    "Don't waste my time with that stuff," he snapped. "We both know what this is about."
    "Then you have the advantage of me."
    He sighed impatiently. "I