Kathryn Caskie Read Free Page B

expect me to survive the year.”
    Pinkerton coughed, then looked up and caught the earl’s stern gaze. “Forgive me, my lord. Go on, please.”
    “As I was saying, I will certainly not survive the year—but I do not intend to allow my family’s legacy, the Earldom of Devonsfield, to dissolve.”
    He gave a nod to Pinkerton then, who withdrew two folded sheets of foolscap from inside his coat and gave one to each of the twins. “For this reason, I will make a secret pact with the two of you. And if you agree to my terms, one of you will become Earl of Devonsfield.”
    The earl gestured for the papers to be opened. “Read the terms.”
    Each of the twins opened his paper from its folds and for several minutes read and reread the terms the earl had written inside.
    “Do you agree to the terms as set forth?”
    Griffin’s and Garnet’s eyes met, and for a clutch of moments, the earl had the notion that they might be silently conversing, as he’d heard some twins did. A slight feeling of distrust crept into his mind for a moment as the earl wondered if the two men would add some terms of their own. For it was clear they were aware of how desperately he needed their compliance. But, judging from the state of this ramshackle cottage, they needed him as well.
    A moment later, he realized that his concerns were all for naught, for the twins agreed to every term, exactly as he’d written them.
    “Brilliant, brilliant! Now, since you agree to the terms, cast the papers into the fire, for this discussion must remain a secret for all eternity.”
    Griffin and Garnet crumpled the papers in their large, capable hands and tossed the damning documents into the coal fire. Together the four men watched in reverent silence as flames fingered the foolscap and eventually reduced to ash the earl’s darkest secret.
    “We are agreed then. The continuation of the family is paramount. So, per the terms set forth and dually agreed upon, whichever of you marries a woman of quality first will become—”
    The twins, as one, intoned a single word.
    “Heir.”
    The earl, greatly relieved, smiled and signaled for another brandy. “Quite right.”
    For the first time in more than a month, the earl was having a good heir day.

Chapter Two
    Two weeks later
    H annah released the tether and watched as Cupid cut upward through the chilly air.
It would work. It had to.
She raised her hand high, and when she was sure the bird had seen the signal, slashed it down to her side. At once the falcon dived from the darkening gray sky and swooped low over the unsuspecting young miss who sat near the pond reading, then turned for the heights once more. The woman never even looked up.
    From their vantage point, a half furlong away, the two Featherton sisters exhaled long sighs in unison.
    “Oh, such a pity.” Lady Letitia slapped her knee. “Your bird missed.”
    Hannah popped a hothouse strawberry into her mouth, smiling as she chewed. She reached into the bowl for another juicy red berry, and turned her gaze from her falcon to her guardians. “Cupid did not miss his target. ’Twas just a cursory run.” She rose from her folding seat, and urged the Featherton sisters to do the same. “Here he comes again. Now watch.”
    The two old women hurried to their feet to observe the spectacle. The falcon repeated its swoop, flying low over the unsuspecting woman.
    “A little lower . . .” Hannah bit her lip with anticipation. “That’s it . . . now—
take it!
”
    As if hearing her command, Cupid lowered his talons and snatched the ostrich feather cleanly from the lady’s straw bonnet. The woman shrieked and leaped up, as the falcon mockingly circled her twice with his plumed bounty.
    Cupid turned in the air and started back to Hannah, who waved a finger, directing him to the south. The bird immediately shifted its course.
    “’Tis a clever trick, but what is he going to do with the feather?” Lady Viola asked, never once taking her gaze from the