An Honest Deception Read Free Page B

Letitia in this nonsensical notion of hers
that she must do things for herself,” he said. “I plan to assume the burden of
caring for her and her children, and she need never have another thought about the
matter.”
    “Perhaps
Lady Morgan would prefer not to be a burden upon you and to take care of her
children herself,” volunteered Lord Exencour.
    “It is
not a woman's place to take care of herself,” said Lord Bainstall. “As the head
of the family I am responsible for her and the children. My predecessor was her
father; I owe some duty to her as his daughter. If she will simply turn her business
matters over to me I believe I can make her comfortable.”
    Exencour
gave him a pitying look. “You do not know Lady Morgan very well, do you?” he
asked.
    “I have
not seen her for some years,” said Bainstall. “But, although she was indulged
by her parents, when she was a girl she was biddable enough. I believe that
once she has overcome her grief at Lord Morgan's death she will understand that
it would be best if she allowed me to manage her affairs.”
    Lord Exencour
turned his back to the Baron in order to hide a smile of amusement and poured
them both a glass of sherry.
    “Let us
drink to the happy day,” he said, handing Bainstall a glass. “I am sure Lady
Morgan will appreciate your worthiness if you are simply persistent enough.”
    An hour
or more later Letitia re-entered the sitting room to find Lord Exencour alone,
sipping a glass of sherry and surveying the bleak view from the window. He
turned as door opened, and hurried forward when he saw the strained look on her
face.
    “Sit
down, Lady Morgan,” he said. “Would you care for some sherry?”
    “I
believe I would,” said Letitia, her voice rather faint. Lord Exencour procured
the liquid for her, and waited some moments as she sipped at it, her eyes fixed
on the opposite wall.
    “Where
is my cousin?” she asked finally.
    “He has
gone out to inspect some of the farms,” said Lord Exencour. “He wishes to
ascertain the productivity of the land.”
    Letitia
smiled faintly. “How kind of him,” she said. “I know that he means well, but I
find his actions meddlesome.”
    “He is
a difficult person to deal with,” agreed Lord Exencour. “The sincerity of his concern
cannot be discounted, but his manner of showing it is overbearing.”
    “Exactly,”
Letitia agreed. “I am glad he is not here. I have had dreadful news from Grieves,
and I do not think I could bear to listen to Bainstall's strictures without
becoming very angry.”
    “What
did Grieves say?” asked Lord Exencour gently.
    “For
the past five years nothing has been invested in the estate,” said Letitia. “All,
all was turned over to Alfred, who spent it no one knows where, though I can
certainly make some conjectures. He would not listen to Grieves’ representations
that the land was going to ruin; Alfred simply demanded the money and ordered
Grieves to be silent. It will be some time before the estate is once again
profitable, as there is so much work to be done.”
    “I
feared this might be the case,” said Lord Exencour. He saw her hand tighten on
her glass and made haste to reassure her. “It is not an impossible situation, I
assure you. You will have many choices to make, but with careful planning I am
sure all can be made right in time.”
    “I hope
so,” said Letitia. “I am not overly fond of Morgan Park, as too many sad things
have happened here, but I would not to wish to see it lost for James.”
    “Then
it shall not be,” said Lord Exencour. “You will manage somehow, and Isobel and
I will do all we can to be of assistance. But now I suggest you attempt to put
this out of your mind. The funeral is tomorrow, and afterwards there will be
plenty of time to worry. Do go upstairs and rest; I will send Isobel to you.”
    Letitia
allowed Lord Exencour to relieve her of her glass of sherry and escort her to
the stairs. As she slowly walked up them, she