Double Deception by Patricia Oliver Read Free Book Online Page A

life."
    "All the more reason for my plan to be successful," the earl pointed out. "A beautiful, younger female—and naturally I insist that she be ravishing—with no inconvenient notions of modesty, should be able to wean Perry away from his widow within a sennight or two. I cannot wait to see it."
    He turned once more to the window, but his gaze searched in vain for the lady beside the pool. She had disappeared, as completely as though her presence had been an illusion. Sylvester felt a twist of disappointment, as unexpected as it was disturbing. The sunlit garden below had lost some of its brightness, as though a cloud had passed over the sky.
    The earl brushed these mawkish thoughts aside and turned abruptly back to his aunt "Then you will write to London today?"
    Lady Sarah did not look up from her embroidery. "The letter will go out in this afternoon's post, if that will satisfy you, my dear."
    "You are a great gun, Aunt," he said feelingly, moving over to place a hand affectionately on Lady Sarah's frail shoulder. "I depend upon you to see me through this tedious business."
    His aunt raised her eyes and said with her usual sharpness, 'Then let me give you another piece of advice, dear. I suggest you swallow that infernal reserve of yours and put yourself out to be pleasant to Mrs. Standish, Sylvester. If we are to distract Perry from his widow, it is only reasonable that we also strive to distract the widow. Would you not agree?"
    Sylvester gazed thoughtfully into his aunt's astute blue eyes, then shrugged. "That sounds like an ingenious strategy, Aunt. But you know I am more at home with my books than in the drawing room amusing ladies."
    Lady Sarah smiled enigmatically. "I also know that it is high time you came out of hiding, Sylvester. I shall expect to see you at the dinner table tonight."
    "It will be my pleasure, Aunt," the earl replied lightly.

CHAPTER THREE

The Tea Party
    The water felt cool to Athena's fingers, a pleasant contrast to the heat of the afternoon sunshine. She wiggled one finger experimentally to entice a sly, fat fellow out from under the water-lily pad. The bright orange fish seemed undecided, then he moved forward lazily to join two others who nibbled gently at her submerged fingers. She sighed. How simple life might be if she were a fish, she thought. Secure in the small watery world of the pond, they knew nothing of the pain of poverty or rejection. Rank and fortune meant nothing to them. Their joys were probably simple, too: snapping up the insects that dared to pause briefly on the surface of the water; drowsing away the summer afternoons in the cool shade of lily pads; blowing lazy bubbles and nibbling at anything that caught their eye.
    Athena's attention shifted as happy sounds rose from the energetic game of croquet that was taking place on the green expanse of lawn. She could not see the players from where she sat, but her daughter's shriek of pure joy was unmistakable. As was Perry's merry crack of laughter, so different from his father's cynical laugh. She knew that her aunt would be there, too, sitting beneath the shady oaks, waiting for the earl's footmen to bring out the tea-tray.
    With a small sigh, Athena rose to her feet and made her way through the mass of blooming flowerbeds, down the long trel-lised pathway, awash with climbing roses in yellows and whites and palest pinks, until she came out into the sunshine again. The sight that met her gaze made her pause and brought a lump to her throat. Penelope tugged wildly at one end of the mallet, while Perry, in shirtsleeves and hair falling about his face, seemed determined to wrest it from her. Two excited spaniels rushed around in all directions, adding to the general commotion with their frenzied barks.
    " My turn, Perry," her daughter yelled boisterously. "You know it is."
    "No such thing, you saucy minx," Perry cried laughingly. "Fair is fair, Penny. It is my turn. Ask Mrs. Easton, if you do not believe