The Rebellious Twin Read Online Free Page B

Robert said firmly.
    I’ve decided to deed Hollyridge Manor back to Lord Westerlynn.”
    “You have lost your mind.”
    “Perhaps, but I cannot in all good conscience take advantage of a senile old man.”
    *
    “Lord Westerlynn has left, sir,” said the uniformed attendant at White’s. “Climbed in his carriage a while ago — looked quite dreadful, if I may say so. I heard him tell his coachman to take him to his lodgings on Thayer Street.”
    “Ah, well,” said Robert, “we shall catch him in the morning.”
    *
    The next morning, Robert, accompanied by Lucius, presented himself at Lord Westerlynn’s doorstep.
    “You are too late, sir,” said the butler. “His lordship has left for Hollyridge Manor, quite hastily, I might add. Said he planned to return in a few days.”
    “Damme!” said Robert. “Most likely he’s gone to retrieve his personal possessions.”
    “Well, that’s that,” said a relieved Lucius as they climbed back into Robert’s carriage. “You’ve made your best effort. Obviously Westerlynn has resigned himself to the loss of his estate, so why not keep it?”
    Robert clamped his jaw. “I have made up my mind. When he returns, Westerlynn will get the surprise of his life. Most definitely, I am giving him his deed back.”
    Lucius opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it again. He knew from experience that once Robert made up his mind, nothing on God’s green earth could make him change.

Chapter 2
    Fool, fool, fool!
    Miserably uncomfortable from the rocking and jolting of his ancient oak coach, Arthur, Lord Westerlynn, felt short of breath as he leaned back against the musty seat and loosened his cravat. Hollyridge Manor lost. What idiocy had possessed him to gamble away the estate that had been in his family since James the Second?
    Fool!
    But it wasn’t so much the loss of Hollyridge that troubled him. These past years he had spent most of his time at his comfortable lodgings in London. Despite huge gambling losses, he still had enough blunt to keep him content the rest of his life, which, judging from those recent, nagging pains in his chest, might not be too lengthy a period or time.
    But how could he have done such a dreadful thing to Sara Sophia?
    It was of the greatest importance he return, at the utmost possible speed, to the girl who had lived at Hollyridge from the age of four. He must tell her the truth — give her the papers that would change her life. How negligent he had been! It was Louise’s dying wish that he tell all to Sara Sophia on her eighteenth birthday. Nearly a year ago! But he, snug in his cozy London lodgings, had put off the tiring trip, thinking he had plenty of time.
    If I thought of it at all.
    From his pocket, Lord Westerlynn withdrew the two ancient iron keys that he had retrieved earlier from the depths of his jewelry chest. No harm done, he decided as he examined them. He might have lost Hollyridge Manor, but when he gave Sara Sophia these keys — told her who she really was and what wealth she possessed — all would be well. He had a great affection for the girl. In many ways she had been like a daughter to him. She was not, of course, but still…
    Damme! but it was getting hot in here. He brushed beads of perspiration from his forehead, loosened his cravat. The coach was half-way to Hollyridge, rolling through a small hamlet, when he noticed his left arm was somewhat numb. A few miles later, a stab of pain hit his chest.
    Instantly Lord Westerlynn knew. Pounding his cane on the ceiling of the coach, he yelled at his coachman to hurry. He must reach Hollyridge — that was all that mattered now. But another pain struck, and another, and he knew he would never make it home.
    But perhaps … Garnering his strength, he pounded on the ceiling again, and when the coachman yelled down, “What now, m’lord?” he ordered the man to take him to Graystone Hall, the nearest estate to Hollyridge, and closer. He must hang on. Clutching his chest,