She knew that what she had to do was difficult, not only because she had never travelled alone before, but also, although she was ashamed to admit it, because her heart urged her to stay where she was.
*
Two hours later Ilouka was being driven down the drive.
She had given orders to the housemaids to pack for her and for a carriage to take her to the nearest Posting inn with an air of authority that prevented the servants from arguing or even suggesting that she should wait until their Master returned.
She was fortunate in that the Earl’s secretary, who ran the house, had also gone to the races and there was therefore no one of any real authority left behind to tell her what she should or should not do.
Only when she was dressed for travelling and her trunks were strapped and ready to
