The Grand Deception

ter

staring in open disbelief at the shiny gold ring emblem with the crest

ll as I that the golden ring is a t

ven now adorns the Duke of Alfreton's hand, it will serve as my wedding band," she

paced a step and came back. "Alexander believes you are going to marry him! Which means he undoubtedly wishes to take you to Thornhill so that he can make all the arrangement

d, as if the request she had just made

you for a little while. Is it really so much to ask? Have I ever refused

few times when Lavinia had used that same argument to cajole her participa

fact that I mention such things now only demonstrates the extremi

up her hands i

ng her eyes ceilingward. "For God sake Lavinia,

he is my guardian? If he found out Bernard and I were married by special license three months ago, he would not hesitate to have the marriage annulled. And, worse, he would exile me to some dreadful place, like he did to Aunt Clara in Hereford, and refuse to

whose closest concept of suffering hardship was having her luncheon interrupted by a rain shower

wish. But I assure you I am quite serious about this.Oh, do y

d me to Alexander when I was a child, none of this would be necessary. As it is, I have no choice but to make it seem as though I have obediently agreed to

s all the time I need. Then all you have to do is tell Alexander that you have decided you do not suit after all. I shall give you

odd notion of my character if you think I should accept money for such a thing. Why, we should both be beneath r

Brighton for the waters and know nothing of Alexander's return. They have left me in Aunt Lucia

rvinia retorted acerbically. Lavinia's A

ntel clock for perhaps the dozenth time since Arv

blue walking dress and the matching capote perched jauntily atop lustrous brown curls made her own worn and outmoded brown serge carriage dress and hurriedly refurbished b

as far as the duke is concerned, I hardly think he will be a problem. I was only ten, after all, whe