Deceived Read Free

That means we won’t have long to prepare for the wedding, or to pack Aurora’s trousseau, or Cally’s possessions. Oh! This is simply impossible!”
    George grinned. “When do you intend telling Aurora, Mama?”
    Oralia’s pretty face grew determined. “Immediately, George! Your sister must be told right away so that she has time to get used to this change in her life. Aurora will be sensible. I know she will be sensible. You are right that she is headstrong, George, but she is an intelligent girl, and logical to a fault. This news will certainly come as a shock, I have no doubt, but when all is said and done, Aurora will see the wisdom in her father’s decision. She will not want to disappoint him, I know, even if Robert is no longer here with us.”
    â€œI can but hope and pray that you are right, Mama,” he replied, but George was not certain at all. Aurora was intelligent, and that, in his opinion, was the problem. A simple, biddable girl would cry a bit upon learning she was to marry a stranger and leave her family. Then she would rally and do her duty. Even Calandra, his younger sister, while hardly simple, would see the advantages to the kind of marriage Aurora was to have. Cally would pounce upon a duke with delight. He did not think Aurora would. No. She would consider the situation, and then decide what was best for her, for the family. Yet, was not this best for her? George considered. He left his mother and hurried off to wash, for it was almost time for the midday meal. In the upstairs hall he ran into Calandra.
    â€œSally tells me Captain Young was here this morning,” she said to him. “Was he?”
    George nodded. “He brought a letter, Cally.”
    â€œFrom where? England? Who was it from? What did it say?” she demanded of him. Calandra Spencer-Kimberly was a very beautiful girl, and used to getting her own way in most things.
    â€œI have absolutely no idea,” her brother answered her. “I believe Mama intends to tell us later, when we are all together.”
    â€œIt must be important, George,” Cally decided.
    â€œLet me go and wash,” he said. “It’s damnably hot out in those fields, and you had best get dressed, or you will miss whatever news Mama has for us, little sister. Where is Aurora?”
    â€œShe took Martha and went swimming,” came the reply. “I think it’s shocking that she still swims in the sea, George, and naked too. Only little children should swim naked, for they know no better. I hate swimming! I always felt so sticky after swimming in the sea.”
    â€œYou dabbled in the sea,” he teased her. “You never liked it like Aurora and I like it, Cally. Well, if Martha’s with her, they’ll be back in plenty of time for the meal, and Mama’s news.”
    The siblings parted, each to their own room, meeting later in the dining room of the house, where their mother and stepsister already awaited them.
    â€œHow can you look so cool on such a hot day?” Calandra grumbled, her hazel eyes taking in Aurora’s appearance.
    Aurora Kimberly laughed. “Because I’ve spent the morning shamelessly frolicking in the sea, Cally. It’s wonderful, and you should join me instead of lying in bed until almost noon each day.”
    â€œMy skin is too delicate to expose to the hot sun,” Calandra replied. “You know I burn like a lobster, Aurora.”
    â€œYou don’t have to stay out as long as I do,” her stepsister replied. “Just a quick swim to cool off, and then back into your clothes. You could swim in the afternoon, when the sun isn’t as strong, or in the very early morning just before dawn.”
    Now it was Calandra who laughed. “You know I’m no fish like you,” she teased. “Besides, I’d be mortified if anyone saw me. One day some wicked pirate is going to catch a glimpse of you in the sea and carry