Deception by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page A

established schedule of lessons and instructive activities will greatly benefit your nephews.”
    Olympia heaved a small sigh of relief. “I would certainly be very grateful to have this household restored to some semblance of order. I vow it is very difficult to work with all the noise and the dashing about that goes on these days. I have not been able to write a single paper in the past few months. It seems as though some crisis is always occurring.”
    “Crisis?”
    “Last Sunday Ethan brought a frog to church. You would not believe the commotion it caused. A few days ago Robert tried to ride a neighbor’s horse without a saddle and got thrown to the ground. The neighbor was furious because he had not given Robert permission to ride the beast. I was terrified that Robert had been seriously injured. Yesterday Hugh got into a fight with little Charles Bristow and the young man’s mother created a dreadful fuss.”
    “What was the fight about?” Jared asked curiously.
    “I have no notion. Hugh would not tell me. But he got his nose bloodied and I was very worried that it might be broken.”
    “I take it Hugh lost the fight?”
    “Yes, but that is neither here nor there. The important thing is that he got into a fight in the first place. I was quite alarmed. Mrs. Bird said I should take a switch to him, but I certainly will not do that. In any event, that is a small sampling of what life has been like around here every day for the past few months.”
    “Hmm.”
    “And there always seems to be so much
noise,”
Olympia continued unhappily. “It is always like Bedlam around here.” She rubbed her brow. “I confess that it has been somewhat trying at times.”
    “Do not concern yourself, Miss Wingfield. You are in good hands. I shall establish an orderly household routine for the boys that will enable you to carry on with your work. Speaking of which, I must say I am very impressed by your library.”
    “Thank you.” Momentarily distracted by the comment, Olympia glanced around the room with pride and affection. “I inherited the majority of my books from Aunt Sophy and Aunt Ida. In their younger days they traveled widely and they collected books and manuscripts everywhere they went. There are many, many treasures in this room.”
    Jared managed to drag his gaze away from Olympia long enough to examine her library more closely. The room was as unexpected and intriguing as the woman herself.
    It was a scholar’s retreat, crammed with volumes, maps, and globes. There was not a book of pressed flowers or a sewing basket in sight. Olympia’s desk was a large and substantial item of furniture made of highly polished mahogany. It bore no resemblance to the delicate little writing tables most ladies used. In fact, Jared thought, it reminded him of his own library desk.
    “About your position here, Mr. Chillhurst.” Olympia frowned uncertainly. “I suppose I ought to ask for references. Mrs. Milton, a neighbor of mine, has informed me that one should never hire a tutor who does not provide excellent references from several sources.”
    Jared glanced back at her. “Your uncle sent me. I assumed that would be sufficient recommendation.”
    “Oh, yes.” Olympia’s expression cleared. “Yes, of course. What better reference could you possibly have?”
    “I’m glad you feel that way.”
    “That’s settled, then.” Olympia was obviously relieved not to have to worry about such pesky details asa tutor’s references. Her eyes grew wistful. “You say you met Uncle Artemis in France?”
    “Yes. I was en route to England from Spain.”
    “You have been to Spain?” Olympia was obviously entranced. “I have always wanted to go to Spain. And to Italy and Greece.”
    “I have been to all of those places, as it happens.” Jared paused to study her reaction. “And to the West Indies and America.”
    “How thrilling, sir. And how I do envy you. You are, indeed, a man of the world.”
    “Some would say so,”