The Importance of Love by Barbara Cartland Page B

telephone on the stand and returned to the drawing room where Luella sat still crying.
    â€œIt is all in order,” she told her. “Bellamy is having our boxes packed and the carriage made ready. I suggest that we leave via the mews at the rear so that if, by any chance, the front of the house is being watched, we shall depart undetected.”
    â€œHow can you be certain that he will not attempt to creep up on us there?”
    â€œLuella, for all his airs, Frank Connolly is a rather stupid and unsophisticated individual. It should not be difficult to outwit him. Now, come, we must get ready and quickly.”
    But Luella, rather than flying upstairs, remained rooted to the spot.
    â€œI – cannot .”
    â€œLuella, you must. We cannot remain here. If that man is employed by Frank Connolly, then he will have gone straight to inform him of our whereabouts. We must make haste.”
    Luella stared at her in utter misery. Her face was blotched and her eyes were red-rimmed from crying.
    â€œI do not think I can face another flight from him. Perhaps it would be better if I simply succumbed and married him.”
    â€œLuella! You must not say such things!” cried her aunt, drawing herself up to her full height. “I will not hear of it. What the Viscount said to me just now on the telephone has left me in no doubt that he is deeply in love with you. Dearest, you have a chance for happiness – you must endure the present difficulties, I beg you.”
    Luella remained on the sofa, uncertain what to do. She knew she loved the Viscount, but Frank Connolly had all but beaten the fight out of her.
    â€œI am so tired of fleeing from him,” she murmured, shaking her head. “ So very tired .”
    â€œThis will be your last flight, I promise you,” coaxed Aunt Edith. “Now, come with me and wash your face. We shall stay upstairs if you feel safer, but I am certain that Bellamy will not let anyone past the front door.”
    Eventually Luella allowed herself to be led upstairs.
    â€œWe must take only the bare necessities with us,” said the Countess. “I will have Bellamy arrange for the remainder to be sent directly to Scotland. It might provide a useful decoy for us, if this detective sees our luggage being taken off to King’s Cross and not Paddington.”
    Once she had been persuaded, it did not take Luella long to pack some things into a suitcase and wait for Bellamy to tell them it was time to leave.
    â€œThe driver is ready for you, my Lady.”
    Bellamy was a big burly man and as he stood in the doorway he seemed to fill it. The Countess reckoned that he would more than acquit himself favourably should Frank Connolly become physically violent.
    â€œThank you, Bellamy. I shall tell Lord Kennington how kind you have been.”
    â€œIt is nothing, my Lady. You are guests in his Lordship’s house and he would expect me to do nothing less than I have already done.” They were halfway down the back stairs when there came a terrible knocking on the front door.
    They froze in their steps as the noise echoed throughout the house.
    Bellamy looked at the Countess whose face wore a grim expression. She knew the knocking could mean only one thing. Frank Connolly had found them.
    â€œQuickly, my Lady. If we get down the stairs to the kitchen, I will go and open the front door. I shall enjoy sending this man packing.”
    Bellamy led them through the scullery and out into the yard. Luella could hear the horses snorting as soon as they were outside and they hurried towards the carriage.
    â€œLet me in, you bounder.”
    Frank Connolly’s harsh voice was so loud that it could be heard in the mews at the rear of the house. Luella froze as it echoed along the quiet street.
    â€œLuella, Bellamy will take care of him. Get into the carriage now.”
    The Countess was gentle but firm. She took her niece by the arm and steered her up the steps and into