Love at the Tower by Barbara Cartland Page A

in.’
    Nanny. Where is she?
    Robina realised that she had not seen Nanny for a couple of days.
    She rang for Molly and asked her,
    â€œMolly, where is Nanny? Is she ill?”
    â€œI don’t know where she is, miss.”
    â€œWould you go and find her, please? I wish her to keep me company.”
    The girl looked confused and Robina suddenly felt fear gripping her heart.
    â€œIs Nanny well? Has something happened?”
    â€œNo, miss,” muttered Molly, “I will go to find her.”
    â€œThank you,” answered Robina, a little unnerved by their discourse.
    But Nanny did not appear and Molly returned with some excuse about Nanny having to go back to the village for a while.
    And there was still the letter to Hortense to post.
    She could not possibly trust Molly with the task, so she decided to take the letter to the Post Office herself.
    She put on her hat and gloves and ran downstairs.
    â€˜I’ll ask Charles to make the new brougham ready,’ she thought as she walked towards the stables.
    The courtyard was a hive of activity as usual.
    Jack was busy with a barrow of straw, while Charles was supervising the grooming of her stepmother’s horse.
    â€œGood morning, miss,” he called and waved.
    â€œSo, has my stepmother taken poor Pearl for a ride, yet?”
    â€œNo, miss. We’re about to put her out to the field so she can have a gallop. It’s a shame as she’s a sociable horse and likes us humans.”
    â€œPerhaps I should take her out. Tell me, Charles, can she pull the brougham?”
    â€œNot really, miss. She’s not too suited to it. But she be a fine mount for a lady.”
    Robina stroked the dapple-grey mare fondly.
    â€œIf you’re wantin’ to go out today, miss, why don’t you take her? The Mistress won’t notice.”
    â€œI had come to ask for the brougham – ”
    â€œOh, it won’t be possible, miss. The Mistress took it out earlier.”
    â€œOh, she did not mention she was going out when I saw her earlier.”
    â€œGone into the town, no doubt,” suggested Charles, picking up a bridle. “Shall I get the phaeton ready for you instead?”
    â€œNo, saddle up Pearl. She shall not linger unloved in her stall any longer.”
    â€œRight you are, miss. She’ll be thrilled to be taken out good and proper like.”
    Robina felt a delicious sense of wickedness. If her stepmother refused to exercise her horse, then she would.
    â€œI hope Firefly will not be too jealous!”
    â€œOh, don’t you worry about him, miss. He’s out in the field with Peony and Hercules. They’re busy eatin’ the clover and chasin’ each other.”
    Robina laughed.
    She jumped up on the box and mounted Pearl. She could sense that the mare was excited at the prospect of a ride out.
    â€œThere’s a good girl,” crooned Robina, patting her neck. “Come on, we shall let you stretch your legs.”
    Very soon she was galloping down the drive. Pearl was not as solid as Firefly, but she had a sure step and was surprisingly swift.
    Robina took her across the fields and up to a small wood on the outskirts of the village.
    Pearl plunged through the green canopy without a second thought and Robina laughed out in delight as they passed through a wide thicket.
    â€œIt’s a pity Stepmama does not take you out more often. You are a brave little horse.”
    Remembering her letter Robina turned Pearl around and headed towards the village.
    On the way she passed by The Three Oaks Inn and saw, to her utter amazement, the new brougham standing outside.
    â€˜How peculiar! Why is Stepmama visiting the inn?’
    However, she did not linger in case her stepmother appeared and saw her, so she urged Pearl on and they rode into the village.
    She posted the letter and even though a part of her wanted to ride past the inn again, she refrained from doing so.
    â€˜My Stepmama is up to