The Secret Christmas Ciphers Read Online Free Page A

forgettable. Very quiet, shy, withdrawing. That’s why she’d be perfect to accompany us to London. She’d never get in our way.”
    “Where is this paragon of nothingness now?”
    “She’s staying with one of mother’s sisters, who is no doubt using poor Parsetta to help look after her thirteen children. Parsetta would be thrilled at the prospect of moving to London with us and having no duties to speak of beyond accompanying us to an occasional party.”
    “Actually,” Abigail said, “I wasn’t planning on going out in society. You know I have no female relatives to sponsor me. I’m merely going to London to visit the bookstores, see the museums, walk in the parks, and in general lead a quiet life.”
    Catherine snorted. “In other words, despite your youth, you want to bury yourself in the dull activities appropriate for an old maiden lady. That, my dear Abigail, is exactly why you need me to go with you. With the Little Season underway, we’ll have opportunities to attend balls and routs and all manner of enjoyable events.”
    Abigail was aware she’d already lost this war, but she was determined to continue fighting. “What about the twins? You know they won’t want you to leave them behind, and they’re still too young to go.”
    “I’ve already talked to the twins. They’ve received an invitation from another of our mother’s sisters to visit her in Bath, and our aunt has even hinted that they can attend a ball or two with her. They’re excited about the prospect of meeting new people and seeing new sights. Besides, they understand that if you and I establish ourselves in London society now, we’ll be better equipped to sponsor them when they make their debut in two years.”
    Abigail pushed herself up in bed, then pulled the covers up around her shoulders. This old castle was cold. “You know you would have to behave yourself in London. If you started carrying on risqué conversations with the footmen and grooms there, your reputation would soon be in such tatters that no one could salvage it.”
    Catherine sighed. “You’re right. I know that. I’ll behave because I’m hoping to catch a husband and have a man in my bed every night if I wish. Unlike you, I might add.”
    Abigail was glad that the near darkness hid her blushes. “Very well. We’ll talk to your Papa tomorrow and see if he’ll send for your cousin Parsetta.”
    “Wonderful.” Catherine paused for a second before continuing. “So why did you really decide to marry Derek? I know it wasn’t because your father is remarrying, and I also know you haven’t forgiven Derek for proposing to Melonnie.”
    Abigail didn’t respond immediately because she wasn’t sure she was ready to dig deep enough into her own heart to find the answer. Finally she said, “Maybe I want to find out why he betrayed me.”
    Catherine reached for Abigail’s hand under the covers and gave it a squeeze. “Maybe,” she agreed softly before throwing back the covers and slipping out of bed. “Don’t forget to get up and see Derek off in the morning.”
    “I won’t forget.” Abigail scooted back down in bed. She waited until the soft screech of the door hinges indicated Catherine had left the room. Then she murmured to herself, “I have a husband…of sorts.”
    She turned on her side so she could see the flicker of the dying flames and watched, dry eyed, until the last ember had gone black and the room was in total darkness.
     
    * * *
     
    Dawn had barely started turning the sky pink the next morning when Abigail heard Derek moving around in the adjoining chamber. How she wished her new husband had not betrayed her love. She wished even more that she understood exactly why he had still been willing to marry her.
    But she doubted he would ever tell her, just as she would never tell him her reasons for agreeing to the marriage. She pushed herself up in bed. One of the maids should be coming soon to build up the fire, but Abigail had no