White Lilac by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbara Cartland EBooks ltd
Published: 2013-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Sitting beside the Duke on the hard mattress, Ilitta told him excitedly what she had discovered and how she was certain that the old man could tell them how to sneak out of the house without being seen.

She knew that he was delighted at her news.

At the same time he was very careful to keep his voice low, as she realised, to make it sound as if they were depressed and worried about the situation they found themselves in.

As she finished, she asked,

“Shall we go now? At once?”

The Duke shook his head.

“I think that would be a mistake. Since it is now nearly dark, it would be exceedingly difficult not only to make our way along the attic without a light but also to find our way through the rest of the house.”

Ilitta realised that he was being sensible, but she gave a sigh before she murmured,

“I am so anxious to escape.”

“So am I,” the Duke replied. “Equally we have to plan every move we make and not make a mistake.”

She knew that he was thinking of how ruthless Captain Daltry might be if he thought that his prisoners were trying to escape and would not hesitate to put into action his threat to shoot the Duke in the leg.

“What I am going to suggest,” the Duke said, “is that we rest until dawn, when it will be just light enough to see our way out.”

She smiled at him and realised as she did so that since she had returned the room had grown very much darker.

It was not only dusk outside but she thought that she could see the glimmer of the first evening star.

“I have another suggestion to make,” the Duke said quietly.

“What is that?”

“When I am travelling in a very cold climate, I and the men with me are all sensible enough at night to lie close to our horses. That is often essential, unless one wants to wake up in the morning and find oneself turned into an icicle!”

Ilitta prevented herself from laughing, but she gave a little chuckle.

“Although it may seem slightly unconventional,” the Duke went on, “I propose, since we have no horses with us, we lie close together, otherwise I am afraid that you will find yourself very stiff in the morning.”

Ilitta did not hesitate.

“Of course, I see that would be the sensible thing to do,” she said, “and which of the rooms in our magnificent suite do you suggest we use?”

“I have made some investigations while you were gone,” he replied, “and I found that there is one tattered bolster which will do for our heads and, believe it or not, another blanket!”

“That is certainly an unexpected luxury,” Ilitta teased.

The Duke rose from the bed and as he did so picked up her cape, which was still lying behind him on the mattress.

She saw that he had already removed the blankets and found that he had placed them on the bed next door.

By now it was difficult to see, but she

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