The Duke's Deception Read Free Page B

closed
her eyes ending the conversation. She sighed, wondering if she would fit in
with her new family. She had few social graces and was used to doing as she
pleased. Perhaps the money would not be enough and the Grierson’s would reject
her also? What if she offended them or attracted another unsuitable beau? Would
they get rid of her as her grandmother had? Marianne wiped her eyes with the
dainty linen square Jane handed her.
    The carriage
lurched sideways throwing her violently against the window and remained tilted
at an alarming angle. She rubbed her bruised forehead and peered anxiously
through the glass expecting the vehicle to tip right over.
    John appeared
and wrenched open the door. ‘Are you injured, Miss Devenish? The driveway to
Frating Hall is riddled with potholes and we’re temporarily stuck in one.’
    ‘It’s no matter
John. If we’re already on the drive, we can walk from here.’
    ‘Very well,
miss. I’ll send Tom ahead to alert them of your arrival.’
    There was no
advantage in lowering the steps as they would have pointed uselessly into the
    sky. John reached in and gripping
her arms swung her through the door and placed her on the rutted driveway. As
he turned to rescue his wife Marianne looked around with interest.
    She saw the
neglected state of the drive, the unkempt trees and shrubs but they did not
concern her. This was no more than she was used to for Upton Manor had been
left to decay after her father’s untimely death. There had been sufficient
funds to keep it up but her mother had chosen otherwise. What caught her
attention was the house glimpsed ahead; the soft red brick of its walls and the
glitter of the myriad large windows were welcoming. This edifice was a
delightful change from the dark grey stones and tiny leaded panes of the place
where she had grown up.
    ‘Look, Jane,
what a lovely house! See it faces west and has an open aspect and I can spy a
church tower over there behind that stand of oaks. How wonderful to be able to
walk to service every Sunday!’
    Jane nodded.
‘Some parts of it are in sad need of repair. And there are several tiles
missing and if I’m not mistaken there are birds nesting in the guttering.’
    Marianne smiled.
‘Small matter, Jane, it looks a happy house. I shall not heed a leaky roof if
the people who dwell under it are kind and friendly.’
    They watched Tom
canter off down the avenue made dark by the overhanging branches of the unloved
trees. Leaving John and the others to right the coach she set off towards the
large, ivy clad building.
    ‘There are deer
in the park and I can hear nightingales singing in the trees. That has to be a
good sign, surely?’
    ‘That’s as may
be, miss; nightingales sing anywhere, they’re not fussy who lives in the
vicinity.’
    ‘You’re correct,
Jane. But I still believe this place has a contented feel in spite of the
obvious dilapidation.’
    They rounded the
curve of the drive and were able to see the whole of Frating Hall. The building
was bathed in late afternoon sunlight, its mellow red bricks appearing almost
pink. This was indeed a beautiful house.
    ‘It has been recently
restored, in part, I think,’ Marianne exclaimed. ‘The front is modern, the
windows well proportioned. They must once have had funds to have been able to
improve the property so much.’
    ‘Well, they have
none now or this drive would be in better repair and their roof would have
    been mended,’ Jane replied sourly.
    Before they were
in hailing distance the front door opened and a flood of figures poured from it
waving gaily. In spite of her reticence Marianne found her mouth curving and
her arm rising in response. A slight, dark haired figure detached itself from
the group. Gathering up her skirts the young lady, decorum thrown to the winds,
ran pell-mell towards them.
    Marianne
increased her pace eager to make the acquaintance of the girl speeding towards
her.
    ‘Oh, I am so
glad you are here, Miss Devenish,’ Emily