Practice to Deceive by Patricia Veryan Read Free Book Online Page B

Gordon said dryly. “I make you my compliments, ma’am. Most ladies would be indulging a fit of the vapours.”
    She gasped, “I very well … may be. Oh, sir—you cannot know how I pity you. If I thought ’twould serve, I’d agree, I swear it. As it is—alas, my uncle would be delighted did you make him such an offer. Delighted to be rid of me. The only use he had for me was to treat me as an unpaid drudge and to bully me into an advantageous marriage. But now I am to be given to his crony, Captain Roland Otton, in exchange, I gather, for his aid and a still tongue with regard to your poor brother.”
    â€œNonsense! No man could be so base as to refuse the exchange under such circumstances. If nothing else, fear of what his friends and neighbours might say would surely weigh with him.”
    It was the argument she herself had used with respect to just such a situation, but to admit that now would not serve her at all. “The only thing that weighs with Delavale is gold. If he had any reaction to your demand, it would likely be to laugh for a week.”
    A trace of bitterness had come into her voice. Watching her from under his heavy brows, Gordon said uncertainly, “The fellow must be a black-hearted rogue if what you say is true. Killiam? What do you think?”
    â€œI think as ’tis likely the lady knows her kinfolk, sir. And that we are drove to the ropes before ever we start.”
    â€œNo, no—you are not!” Penelope jumped up, her heart beating very fast. “Mr. Chandler, I may be able to get you to your brother. Whether you are able to spirit him away will rest in your own hands. It will be very chancy, but—I will help you … for a consideration.”
    Hope dawning in his eyes, he said eagerly, “Lady, if you can get us to Quentin, you may name any reward it is in my power to give.”
    â€œMy—my price is—that, if you escape … I go with you.”

III
    â€œDaffy! What is it?” Penelope closed the door and hurried to the plump abigail who had served her faithfully for the past five years and who now sat in a corner of the bedchamber, her face buried in the snowy folds of her apron.
    Phyllis Brooks sprang up, her round comely face alight with joy. “Miss Penny! You’ve come back! I was sure as sure as you’d runned off and left me!”
    Penelope wrapped the girl in a hug and, with a twinge of conscience, said reprovingly, “As if I would do so unkind a thing!”
    Despite her prim and sometimes rather Puritanical demeanour, Brooks had been ‘Daffy’ to Geoffrey and Penelope since she had let slip the nickname during her first week at Highview. She had been hired despite some rather questionable references, due mainly to the kind heart of the housekeeper who had later joined the ranks of the deserters. Her relationship with Mr. Hargrave was an uneasy one, since she had objected to a pinch he had generously bestowed upon her bottom, and the thought of being compelled to ask him for a reference was daunting. Thus, the reappearance of her young mistress lifted a great weight from her troubled mind. Fear lingered in the blue eyes, however, and she pleated her apron with nervous fingers as she wailed, “Oh, miss! I’ve had the most drefful time! You wouldn’t never believe what I been through!”
    Penelope regarded her distractedly for an instant, then ran to throw open the casement and peer into the rainy night. Below her, the wind tossed the branches of the great oak, but there was no other sound, no sign of life. She thought, ‘Whatever shall I do if they do not come…?’ and turned back to her astonished abigail, wringing her hands worriedly.
    Daffy decided that poor Miss Penny was all about in her head, which was only to be expected, what with the miserable life she led and that oily Captain Otton undressing her with his eyes every time he saw the dear