The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt

Author:Victoria Holt [Holt, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Suspense, Gothic, Romantic Suspense Novels, Romance Fiction, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780449215487
Publisher: Fawcett Crest
Published: 1988-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

It was a few days later when I first noticed the man in the park. He was sitting on a bench near the one which we occupied and whenever I glanced casually his way he seemed to be looking in my direction. I fancied I had seen him there before.

He was of medium height, dark-haired, greying at the temples; he might have been about forty years of age, distinguished looking in a foreign way. It was something about the cut of his clothes as well as his looks which made me feel that he was not English.

Julia had joined us as usual. Katie played happily; Drake, who had been talking animatedly before Julia’s arrival, was now restrained.

I was beginning to think that as Julia resented my friendship with Drake so much, and made a point of joining us, I should find some excuse not to come. Cassie would be only too happy to take Katie to the park.

The next day I saw the man again. He really did seem to watch me intently. I might have thought I had imagined this but Julia had noticed.

”I do declare Lenore has an admirer,” she cried.

“What?” said Drake.

“The not-so-young gentleman over there. He can hardly take his eyes from her. I saw him here yesterday. Lenore, have you a secret lover?”

“I have no idea who he is,” I said.

“Well, he is gazing at you with a kind of rapture.”

“What nonsense! I am sure he is unaware of us.”

“Of us, my dear, but not of you.”

I felt I wanted to get away.

“I have to go back early today, Katie,” I called.

Katie was disappointed to be called from play, but she was of such a happy sunny nature that she never sulked.

“Come along,” I said.

Drake rose and stood up, prepared to leave.

“Don’t come if you’d rather stay,” I said.

Julia laid her hand on Drake’s arm. ”We’ll sit here for a little while,” she said, “and then I want you to come back to luncheon, Drake. There will be just a small parry. I’m counting on you.”

I did not wait for more. I took Katie’s hand and hurried her away.

She cried: “Look at that little duck, Mama. He’s ruffling his feathers. I think he’s rather angry. Perhaps he’s hungry. Oh, I wish I had some bread to give him.”

“Next time we’ll bring some,” I promised.

“Your face is red,” she said. “Are you angry?”

“Of course not.”

”Not with Aunt Julia?”

“No.”

“Then with Quack-Quack.”

“No, darling, I’m not angry at all.”

“You look angry.”

“No. Just in a hurry.”

I was aware of footsteps behind, and I thought for a moment that Drake was coining after us. I glanced over my shoulder. It was the man whom Julia had said was watching me.

I felt a touch of uneasiness. I was in a very sensitive mood today. Of course he wasn’t following me. Why should he?

We left the park and crossed the road. We turned the corner. I glanced back. The man was still behind. As we went in he passed slowly on the other side of the street.

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