Double Deception by Patricia Oliver Read Free Book Online Page B

me."
    "Penelope!" Athena called out, advancing across the lawn towards the battling pair. "This is no way for a lady to conduct herself, dear. Whatever would Lady Sarah think if she could see you now?"
    At the sound of her voice, Peregrine released his hold on the mallet, sending Penny sprawling on the grass amidst a gale of giggles. He turned and grinned at her.
    "You are missing all the fun, Athena," he said, his blue eyes dancing with amusement. He reached down and pulled Penny to her feet. "This daughter of yours is a tip-top player, or would be if she could bring herself not to hog the mallet."
    "It was my turn," Penelope insisted stubbornly. "That is enough, Penny," Athena admonished. "Perry will not wish to play with you if you do not give him a turn now and then." 
    "But—"
    "Enough, I said," Athena repeated sternly. "If you insist upon acting like a spoiled baby, I shall send you to take tea in the nursery." This awful threat silenced her daughter, who brushed ineffectually at the grass stains on her dress and handed the mallet to the grinning viscount.
    "Race you to the table, Perry," she challenged, their squabble forgotten as the portly Jackson issued from the terrace doors, followed by three footmen carrying silver trays of tea things.
    "I would offer you my arm, Athena," Perry said ruefully, "but I am lamentably damp from trying to keep up with your daughter. But I trust you intend to join us for tea." He waved negligently at the butler making his way sedately across the lawn towards the centenary oaks that spread their huge branches over the rustic tea-table and array of lawn chairs.
    Before Athena could reply, the imposing figure of Lady Sarah appeared on the terrace, where she paused for a moment, as if debating whether or not to join the small group on the lawn.
    "Aunt Sarah!" Peregrine called out eagerly. "How delightful! You are just in time for tea. Here, allow me to assist you." He strode across the grass towards the commanding figure of the dragon, but Athena was not surprised when Lady Sarah waved him aside imperiously with her cane.
    "I am not an invalid, Perry," she snapped in her strident voice, which Athena was beginning to suspect was only adopted with her great-nephew and his guests. "I have no need of your assistance, thank you very much."
    "But Aunt—"
    "Stop coddling me, Peregrine," the old lady said sharply. "And what new fashion is this to appear at the tea-table in your shirtsleeves, boy?" She paused at the foot of the shallow stairs to regard the object of her censure through her lorgnette.
    "I have been playing croquet with Penelope, Aunt," Perry replied, unabashed by her ladyship's stare. "An exhausting business, let me assure you. But naturally I shall replace my coat before I sit down to tea with you." He glanced at the terrace. "Is Father to join us?"
    Athena caught a note of wistfulness in Peregrine's voice and a familiar stab of guilt shot through her. The earl had been conspicuous for his absence, both at the dinner table and in the drawing room since that dreadful encounter in the library two days ago. The memory of her reluctant host's grim countenance had troubled Athena's sleep ever since, and she had little doubt that Lord St. Aubyn would refuse to acknowledge her presence until she agreed to accept his outrageous suggestion that she betray his son for a paltry sum of money.
    Paltry? Three thousand pounds was hardly a paltry sum, Athena reminded herself, disgusted that she had given the earl's offer more than a passing thought. For if truth be told, she had indeed considered it rather more carefully than she would like to admit. Three thousand pounds was a small fortune and, invested wisely, would provide the extra income she had needed to supplement John's meager pension. The earl's offer had tempted her—Athena was too honest not to admit it—but she knew herself to be equal to that challenge. She would never succumb to his nefarious scheme to be rid of her. His odious