The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) Read Free

words. And then you were, well, an adult with your own life and it didn’t really seem to be of significance one way or the other. After a while, I suppose you could say that it simply slipped my mind.”
    “It slipped your mind?” Jack stared at her. “Didn’t I have a right to know?”
    “Didn’t I have a right to know?” his father added.
    “And what about me?” She fisted her hands on her hips. “I am your mother and your”—she closed her eyes as if praying for strength—“ wife . Don’t I have any rights?”
    “Mother, don’t be absurd. You’re a woman.” The words were out of his mouth an instant before he realized what a mistake they were.
    His father choked.
    Mother’s glare shifted from one man to the other. “Well, you certainly are his son. I’m surprised I haven’t noticed it before. Now then, I am going to return to the dining room.” She directed an annoyed look at her husband. “Basil, do honor us with your presence for dinner.”
    His father’s eyes twinkled with triumph. “I would be delighted.”
    “On one condition,” she said firmly. “There is to be no mention, from either of you, that he is my husband.”
    “You think they won’t notice the similarities in name?” Jack said.
    “I could be the cousin of your late husband,” Father said in a helpful manner that should have earned him credit but elicited a scathing look from Mother nonetheless.
    “I am not trying to orchestrate a theatrical production.” She heaved a resigned sigh. “But yes, I think that might work, however—”
    A knock sounded at the door and it opened almost at once.
    “I do beg your pardon but is anything wrong?” Lucinda Merryweather stepped into the room and glanced around. “You’ve been gone so long we were wondering if there was a problem.” Lucy smiled her familiar, bright smile.
    Jack had known Lucy for all of her life. She was unfailingly cheerful, possessed a fine mind, and was really quite lovely with her fair hair and slightly turned-up nose. Marrying Lucy would not be a hardship. Their families had planned their marriage since the day she was born and they were well suited to one another. In very many ways she had long been his dearest friend. And he did love her of course. Who wouldn’t?
    They had never kept anything from each other and Jack saw no reason why he should start keeping anything from her now. Especially a matter of this magnitude. She was to be his wife one day after all.
    “Come in, Lucy, and please close the door behind you.” Jack cast an affectionate smile at the young woman he was almost, nearly, practically engaged to.
    “Do you think that’s wise?” Annoyance sounded in his mother’s voice.
    “Lucy and I have no secrets, Mother,” Jack said firmly. “She deserves to know what is going on.”
    “Secrets?” Lucy’s blue eyes widened with delight. “Oh, I simply adore a good secret.” She turned her attention to the colonel. “And I suspect that has to do with you, doesn’t it?”
    His father chuckled. “I’m afraid so.”
    Mother sighed and moved back toward the brandy decanter.
    Lucy stepped toward the older man and extended her hand. “We haven’t met but you are obviously related to Jackson.”
    Jack’s father took her hand, a pleased note in his voice. “Do you think so?”
    “Oh my, yes. The resemblance is unmistakable. You share the same coloring and in spite of the gray, it’s obvious your hair was once as dark as his. And the blue of your eyes is very nearly the exact same shade as his.” Lucy directed her words to Jack even as her gaze stayed on his father’s face. “Goodness, Jackson, do you realize this is exactly how you will look in twenty or thirty years?” A flirtatious twinkle shone in Lucy’s eye. “I must say, I am going to like it.”
    “Lucy.” Jack drew a deep breath. “This is my—”
    “Oh, I know who he is,” she said, studying his father curiously. “This is Colonel Basil Channing. I read an article