A Circus for Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788675956
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
Published: 2022-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Once the carriage was out of sight, Thelma went back into the tent.

There were still a number of cases and crates that had been left by the circus people that were unopened.

She thought she had a costume for everybody taking part and opened a large basket that looked a little more important than the others.

She saw inside it something that she had not expected.

It was quite obviously the ballet dress that was worn by the principal woman rider in the circus.

The skirt was full, there were tights to wear underneath it and the bodice was ornamented with large imitation diamonds.

She shook out the skirt and then looking further into the basket she saw that there was a bright golden wig.

Suddenly she had an idea.

As there was still nobody about, she took off her riding skirt and dressed herself up in the circus clothes.

Their owner must have been very slim for they fitted her far better than she might have expected. What was more, for the convenience of a quick change, the bodice fastened down the front.

It had big frilly sleeves attached to it which Thelma thought were rather attractive as well as unusual.

She wished that she could see herself in a mirror and then she saw that there was one wrapped in a towel at the bottom of the basket.

She propped it up on a packing case and pulled on the wig, which had elastic round it to keep it in place.

It was really rather becoming in a vulgar sort of way.

Because she felt that it would make the Earl laugh, she then made up her face with the greasepaint and powder that she had put ready for the clowns.

There was also a black pencil to outline her eyes and eyebrows with.

‘No one would ever recognise me now,’ she told her reflection in the mirror.

She was still staring at herself when Wilkins came to join her.

“I’ve bin thinkin’, Miss Thelm – ” he began.

Then, as she turned round, he exclaimed.

“The Lord love us! What ’ave you done to yourself?”

“I have found a way of taking part in the circus,” Thelma replied. “And I don’t see why everybody else should have all the fun!”

Wilkins laughed.

“Well, you certainly looks the part, miss.”

“Are you quite sure that no one would recognise me?” Thelma asked a little anxiously.

“I’ve got the answer to that,” Wilkins said. “I finds it when I were a-lookin’ for a hat for Walter.”

He searched among the crates and came back with a small mask for her eyes.

It was obviously meant for a woman or perhaps a young boy.

He handed it to Thelma who put it on and, when she looked in the mirror, she said,

“An excellent disguise. Now all I have to do now is persuade his Lordship to let me take part in the performance.”

“I’ve got a good idea, miss,” Wilkins volunteered.

After Thelma had listened to it, she clapped her hands in delight.

“Wilkins, you are a real genius! Of course that is exactly what we should do to start the performance.

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