Deceived Read Online Free Page A

collapse entirely, for she will be considering what I have said over these next few weeks, George. No matter how honest and good she is, she cannot help but consider how marvelous Cally will look in a duchess’s jewels; or of how much she will enjoy visiting Jamaica, and boasting of her daughter, the Duchess of Farminster.” Aurora laughed, and then she stood up from the table. “We really must begin considering your wedding gown, Cally.”
    Calandra pushed her chair back. “Do you really think we can persuade Mama, Aurora?” She stood.
    â€œYou just leave it to me, little sister” was the answer.
    â€œDo not call me little sister! We are both to be seventeen,” Cally protested.
    â€œBut my birthday is April sixth, and yours is June first. That makes me the elder by two months,” Aurora teased her stepsister.
    â€œOh, you!” Calandra giggled. Then she said, “What do you think this duke is like, Aurora?”
    â€œHe is undoubtedly most arrogant, and overweening proud” came the reply. “Not once in all my life has he communicated with me, nor, do I believe, did he ever write to Papa.”
    â€œDid you ever consider,” George said quietly, “that perhaps he did not know he was to be married either? There are letters in Papa’s strongbox from a James Hawkesworth. I told you that I don’t believe anyone has looked through that box since Papa died. Certainly Mama didn’t. God only knows what else is there. Shall we go and look?”
    â€œYes! Yes!” his sisters chorused in unison, and the trio made their way from the dining room to the late Robert Kimberly’s beautiful paneled study.
    Settling themselves on the floor, they dragged the box into their midst. Opening it, George Spencer-Kimberly pulled forth a packet of letters tied with hemp twine. Undoing the binding, he opened the first of the letters which was on the bottom, and perused it.
    â€œThis is the first letter from James Hawkesworth. He seems to be the Third Duke of Farminster. He writes to tell Papa that his son, Charles, has been drowned with his wife and daughter in a boating accident. His grandson, Valerian, he says, was not with them, and although the boy is devastated by the loss, he will recover. He says he is glad that his son made this match between their families, and that he will make certain that the obligation is honored when little Charlotte is grown. He asks after her.”
    â€œHow touching,” Aurora said dryly.
    â€œI think he sounds like a nice old man,” Cally ventured to add.
    â€œSo,” her elder sister said, “we know that Valerian Hawkesworth’s parents and sisters are dead, and that he was raised by his grandfather.”
    â€œAnd grandmother,” George corrected her. “James Hawkesworth mentions his wife. He wrote to Papa twice a year. In June, and in December. From the tone of his letters, Papa obviously wrote him back, passing on news of the family, and how you were growing up, Aurora.”
    â€œDoes this old duke ever refer to me as Aurora?” she asked.
    â€œI will have to read through all the letters,” George replied, “but from what I can see, it would appear not.”
    â€œWhat does he say about the grandson?” Aurora’s aquamarine-blue eyes were thoughtful, and her brow just slightly furrowed.
    â€œNot a great deal. Wait, here is something! It’s in the last letter, which was written June last. There is no December letter.”
    â€œOf course not. The old man obviously died,” Aurora noted. “Well, come, George, and tell us what the June letter says.”
    â€œIt is not very long. You know, it would appear that the old duke wrote Papa in his own hand, and did not use a secretary. The writing is quite spidery.”

    My dear Robert,
    I have not been well these last months. It would seem that passing one’s seventieth birthday takes a toll on the health.