The Price of Deception Read Free

Robert’s mother in wide-eyed
astonishment and then back at him.
    “Are you serious?” She jumped to her feet and
approached Robert with a broad smile. “The spring fashions will be
released in the next few weeks, and you know what that means to me,
Robert. Fashion shows, new designs, hats, and special
fittings.”
    “Yes, I know.” He held out a carrot to entice her
further. “You want money to buy another wardrobe for the summer, no
doubt, and as your husband, I shall provide.” Robert calculated in
his mind how much this new endeavor would cost him.
    Jacquelyn spun around quickly and looked at her
mother-in-law. “But what of you, Mary? The furniture is due to be
delivered and the drapes must be installed.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about me.” She waved her hand at
Jacquelyn. “Go! Just bring me an outrageous hat, my dear, and I
will be very content.”
    “When, Robert? When shall we leave?”
    “In a fortnight,” he said, thoughtfully. “I have some
estate matters to attend to, but you can write ahead to our staff
at the townhouse and have them ready our residence for arrival.
Will that do?”
    Jacquelyn smiled and then stepped closer to him. He
braced his stance in anticipation of her show of affection. A
moment later a kiss met his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered in
his ear. “I need this.”
    Robert grasped her hand and gave it a slight squeeze.
“I know. We both do, frankly.”
    The trip had been arranged, and Robert found no need
to linger with the women of his household. He turned and left them
alone to talk of colors, patterns, and draperies. In two weeks’
time, he would be back in Paris where his real love resided.
    As Robert strode down the hallway, he pondered if
Suzette found happiness and contentment after she married her
former fiancé. He probably would never know. Perhaps it remained
better that way, so he could cherish the memories instead. Why
torture himself with the thought she had found something superior
to their love? It was too depressing.
    In the years he had periodically returned to Paris on
holiday, their paths never crossed. Of course, there were millions
of residents in Paris, why should he think they ever would? Yet,
the possibility of seeing her never left him as soon as his feet
landed upon French soil.
    Robert felt the need for a breath of fresh air. He
walked to the foyer, opened the front door, and stepped out to view
the emerald green hills in the distance. The English countryside
unrolled like a breathtaking oil canvas. The artist of Heaven had
splashed a pallet of brilliant colors wherever Robert’s eyes
roved.
    The deep blue sky accented the green. He loved the
rich color of the grass and trees. The leaves had sprouted from
their limbs and dangled down, swirling with the gentle breeze that
passed by. The flowers shoved their heads up from the ground, and
life renewed itself after the dead of winter. The sight brought a
smile to Robert’s face, stimulating his love of country and the
legacy of the land his father left him.
    As beautiful as the scene happened to be at that
moment, the gray cloud of his life pushed its way into his
thoughts. Jacquelyn’s whisper a few minutes ago haunted him with
worry. He knew her mentality. She had been seasonally depressed
during the winter months. Each year, the dark months with rain,
snow, and lack of sun covered her mind with a cloak of despair.
This past season had been unusually harsh upon her psyche. It sent
her moods soaring into deeper depths.
    Thankfully, beautiful days like today would help to
turn the tide of her melancholy. He noted her spirits had lightened
up and took encouragement that she would recover more quickly if he
took her to Paris, or so he thought.
    Not long after their marriage, Robert learned that
his wife’s downhearted moods were frequent. Her mind tended to
wander, making her unresponsive when engaged in conversation.
Jacquelyn’s ability to socialize with others suffered. The only
person she