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

mother,” Isabelle said. “I used to dream
about my mother. How wonderful it would have been to have known her, but I’m
afraid I shall never learn her identity now.”
    Georgette
reached out and took hold of Isabel’s hand. “Don’t be sad, my dearest sister.
We have each other.”
    Isabel
nodded. “I know and it makes me so happy.” She looked at the large envelope
again. “There’s more letters. Shall I continue?”
    “Yes,
please do. I can hardly wait to see what else my father will reveal.”
    Isabel
put the first letter aside and began reading the next one. “This one is
addressed to me.”

 
    My Dearest Isabel,

 
    I know the news that I am your father
must be a terrible shock to you, but circumstances were out of my control. Your
mother and I loved each other with a passion so deep it hurt. She lit up a room
when she entered and when she looked at me, I was the
happiest man alive. If there had been any way she could have kept you with her,
she would have. Please believe that. It nearly killed her to give you away to
me. The next best option and the only one that gave her a small sense of peace was for me to raise you. I’m sorry I could not give you my
name for the scandal it would have caused. Society would never have rested
until they uncovered the identity of your mother. It would have ruined her.
    I could not let that happen, so I retired
to Essex far away from London and the ton’s prying eyes. I did the best I could
for both you and your sister. I hope that you will find it in your heart to
forgive a foolish man whose only mistake was to fall in love.
    I have lived a sparse life so that you
and Georgette will have a considerable per annum after I’ve gone. I hope this
makes up in small part for a life without your mother.

 
    Your loving father,
    George

 
    Isabel
hands dropped in her lap. “It all makes sense now.”
    “What
does? What do you mean?”
    “Mr.
Condiff was either barking orders at me or inviting me to share a meal with
him. I thought the brandy had addled his brain, but it was his emotions that
were conflicted.”
    “Yes,
this explains why my father seemed so sad all the time. Are there any more
letters?”
    Isabel
put her letter aside. “One more.”

 
    Dearest Georgette and Isabel,

 
    As I have mentioned in my other letter,
both of you will share a generous per annum. If the two of you desire a Season
in London, you may contact Mrs. Iris Quinn. She is an old friend of mine.
Arrangements have been made and she will be happy to host you both at her home.
Mr. Ingham will provide you with her address.
    Isabel, while I have acknowledged you as
my daughter in my letter, you are not at liberty to take my name publicly. I
have respected your Mother’s privacy all these years and I hope that you will
understand. Mrs. Quinn believes you to be Georgette’s distant cousin. I thought
that was for the best.
    Send Mr. Ingham a note if you decide to
go to London and he will make sure there are ample funds available for both of
you to enjoy the Season.

 
    Your loving father,
    George

 
    “I
can hardly believe all this,” Isabel said.
    “Nor
I, but we can take comfort in the fact that we are truly sisters. I could not
have asked for a more loving and caring sister,” Georgette said falling back
into her pillows.
    “I
feel the same, but now you must eat something.”
    Georgette
laughed for the first time in a long while. “Still as bossy as ever! You would
do well to remember that I’m the older sister.”
    Isabel
handed Georgette a plate of bread and cheese. “I’ll think about it. Now eat,
please.”
    Georgette
took a few bites before her brow creased.
    “What
are you thinking? I know that look,” Isabel said.
    “I
was wondering how we will announce that you are more
than my lady’s maid?”
    “I
don’t know. Everyone in the village knows me as such. I don’t think it will be
heady news to anyone that I could also be your poor cousin. We have lived such
a