Love by Deception (Age of Innocence) Read Free Page A

she could stop them, tears leaked out of eyes. “Oh, Papa, I miss you so
much. Why did you leave me?”
    “Here
we are,” Isabel said carrying a tray of tea along with bread and cheese into
Georgette’s bedchamber. She put the tray on the table beside the bed and poured
tea for both of them. “Please don’t cry. Here, drink this. You’ll feel better.”
    Georgette
took the teacup and patted the bed. “Sit with me, will you?”
    Isabel
nodded and sat next to her mistress. “I’ve brought you some cheese and bread.
You must eat something. I don’t want you to fall ill again.”
    “I
know, but not now. I can’t stop thinking about my father.”
    “Would
you like the packet the solicitor gave you?”
    “Yes,
but would you mind reading it. I’m not feeling up to it.” She took another sip
of tea before putting the cup on the tray.
    “Of
course.” Isabel slid off the bed. She walked to Georgette’s vanity, retrieved
the envelope and sat down again. She broke the seal and pulled out a letter.
“It’s a letter on your father’s stationery.”
    “Please
go on and read it.”
    Isabel
nodded and began.

 
    My Dearest Georgette,

 
    If you are reading this letter, I am no
longer with you. I left instructions with Mr. Ingham to give this letter to you
upon my death. There is so much to explain. I wish that I could have faced you
and told you the truth, but alas, I am a coward and prefer to let my words
speak for me.
    Your Mother was the love of my life, but
our time together was so short. She loved you with all her heart. You were the
most beautiful child and the apple of my eye. After your beloved Mother passed
away, I was beside myself with grief. The days seemed endless and life didn’t
seem worth living until I looked upon your little face. How had I created such
a precious creature, I asked myself? You helped put the light back into my
life, and I shall be forever grateful to you.
    When you were a toddler, I met another
woman. We fell madly in love, but she was not free to marry. We soon ended our
affair and I did not hear from her for many months. One day she came to my
doorstep. I was overjoyed to see her and thought we could now be wed, but it
was not to be. She came only to leave me with a newborn babe. When I looked at
the child, I saw my lover’s beautiful face reflected there and knew that I
would raise the baby girl. We had created something wonderful together and if I
couldn’t have her, at least I could keep our child close.
    Have you ever wondered why your lady’s
maid was included in so many of the lessons in your youth? Isabel is that child
and she is your sister. I promised her mother that I would never reveal her
identity and I shall keep that promise, but my dearest Georgette, you are not
alone in this world. You have loved Isabel like a sister and though you did not
know it, that is exactly who she is. I hope you can take comfort in that.
    Take care of each other.

 
    Your loving father,
    George

 
    Georgette
burst into tears and deep sobs wracked her body.
    Isabel
sat motionless on the bed, not knowing what she should do. Would Georgette
welcome her as a sister or resent her as her father’s bastard child? What would
she do if Georgette kicked her out of the house? How would she get another
position without a reference? “Georgette, I hardly know what to say.”
    Georgette
nodded and the tears flowed freely. “I’m not alone,” she stammered.
    “What?
You will never be alone. I will stay with you always.”
    Georgette
pulled Isabel into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I have a sister. I am
overjoyed.”
    Isabel
joined her sister in happy tears. She wouldn’t be tossed out. Georgette wanted
her. Words could not describe her joy and it was several moments before the two
young women separated.
    “Georgette,
I can hardly believe this wonderful news.”
    “I
agree, but I don’t understand why Father would keep this from us.”
    “I
can only imagine he was protecting my