And Only to Deceive Read Online Free PDF

engagements, and suggestions for improving my home’s décor. Fortunately, the butler announced a visitor.
    “Lord Palmer to see you, madam,” Davis stated regally. I told him to send the gentleman in, and soon we were laughing in the company of a truly delightful old man. He was one of the few people my husband andI had entertained in the days we spent together in London before his final trip to Africa. Eventually, as I knew it must, the conversation turned to Philip.
    “Such a tragic loss,” Lord Palmer said. “But we shall move on, and you, young lady, have a bright future before you.” I began to wonder if I should reconsider my opinion of my guest.
    “This is exactly what I’ve been telling her,” my mother said. “She cannot sit in this house forever. We must get her back into society.”
    “Philip was as dear to me as my own sons,” Lord Palmer continued, as I silently thanked him for ignoring my mother’s comment. “We spent many pleasant afternoons in the British Museum.”
    “Are you interested in Greece, Lord Palmer?”
    “More so even than Philip, my dear. I dabbled in archaeology in my younger years, but that story shall have to wait until another day.”
    “I’ve been reading the Iliad . It’s marvelous.”
    “Capital. Whose side do you take? Achilles or Hector?”
    “Hector, without question. Achilles is far too arrogant.”
    “It is so difficult to occupy oneself while in mourning,” my mother said, glaring at me.
    “I must admit to being surprised by the poem. I would not have thought the tale of a war would so engross me. Yet I cannot help but wonder if I should have read an overview of Greek mythology before jumping straight into Homer?”
    “I’m sure Philip has The Age of Fable in the library. You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with it.”
    “Is that Thomas Bulfinch? Yes, I’ve seen it on a shelf.”
    “Emily is a great reader,” my mother said.
    “He discusses the Iliad . Having a rudimentary knowledge of the story will allow you to focus more on the poetry.”
    “An excellent point, Lord Palmer. I shall take your advice and look at Bulfinch this afternoon.”
    “Do your sons enjoy classics, too?” my mother asked. As always, sheamazed me with her ability to stay focused on her never-wavering goal of marrying me off to whatever eligible person she could. I knew what stirred her interest in Lord Palmer’s sons. I could see her counting the months until I would be out of mourning.
    “Unfortunately, not.”
    “Are they married now, Lord Palmer?” My mother looked directly at me as she spoke; we both knew she was fully cognizant of the marital status of every English nobleman over the age of twenty-five.
    “Not yet,” he replied. “This talk of antiquities reminds me of a question I wanted to ask you, Lady Ashton. Before his death Philip showed me a monograph he was writing.”
    “I must say, Lord Palmer,” my mother began, “I never knew that Philip was such an intellectual man.”
    “He was much deeper than many people knew, Lady Bromley.” Lord Palmer turned to me again. “I returned the manuscript to him with some comments. Do you think I could have it back? I should so much like to have it published. Make it a bit of a memorial to him.”
    “That would be lovely.” My mother smiled. I wasn’t sure what to think. “Emily would be so grateful for your assistance. She would never be capable of putting such a thing together herself.”
    “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know where to begin to find any of his papers.”
    “I’d be happy to take a quick look through his library. They’re certain to be there. Not now, of course. Think about it and send me a note. I don’t wish to inconvenience you in the slightest.” Lord Palmer rubbed his bald head as he spoke.
    The conversation turned general again, and I listened halfheartedly, preferring to consider instead what I was going to do in Paris. By the time I found myself alone, I realized I would