Deception Read Online Free PDF Page B

Aunt Olympia, where are you?”
    “We’re home, Aunt Olympia.”
    Olympia looked at Chillhurst. “I believe my nephews have returned from their fishing trip. They’ll be anxious to meet you. They’re very fond of Uncle Artemis and I’m sure they’ll want to hear everything you have to tell us about your visit with him. You might also mention your skills in pugilism. My nephews will have a great many questions about the sport.”
    At that moment a massive furry dog of indeterminate breed burst into the library. He barked once, very loudly at Chillhurst and then galloped toward Olympia. He was soaking wet and his massive paws left muddy tracks on the library carpet.
    “Oh, dear, Minotaur is off his leash again.” Olympia braced herself. “Down, Minotaur. Down, I say. That’s a good dog.”
    Minotaur bounded forward without pause, his tongue lolling out of the side of his grinning mouth.
    Olympia hurriedly backed away from him. “Ethan? Hugh? Please call your dog.”
    “Here, Minotaur,” Ethan yelled from the hall. “Here, boy.”
    “Come back here, Minotaur,” Hugh yelled.
    Minotaur paid no attention. He was bent on greeting Olympia and there was no stopping him. He was a friendly monster of a dog and Olympia had actually grown fond of him since her nephews had found him abandoned and brought him home. Unfortunately the beast had absolutely no manners.
    The huge dog halted in front of her and leaped up on his hind legs. Olympia held out a hand to fend him off but she knew it was a useless effort.
    “Stay, boy. Stay,” Olympia said without much hope. “Please sit.
Please.”
    Minotaur yelped, sensing victory. His dirty paws begantheir inevitable descent toward the front of Olympia’s clean gown.
    “That’s quite enough,” Chillhurst said. “I have never liked having unschooled dogs about the place.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Olympia saw him move. He took a single, gliding stride toward Minotaur, grabbed the animal’s leather collar, and tugged him firmly downward until all four wet paws were once more on the floor.
    “Stay,” Chillhurst said to the dog. “Sit.”
    Minotaur looked up at him with an expression of canine astonishment. For a moment dog and man eyed each other. Then, to Olympia’s everlasting surprise, Minotaur obediently sat back on his haunches.
    “That was quite amazing,” Olympia said. “How on earth did you manage that, Mr. Chillhurst? Minotaur never obeys commands.”
    “He simply needs a firm hand.”
    “Aunt Olympia? Are you in the library?” Ethan came barrelling around the door, his eight-year-old face alight with excitement. His sandy brown hair was plastered to his head. His clothes were as wet and muddy as Minotaur’s fur. “There’s a strange carriage in the drive. It’s ever so big and it looks like it’s packed with trunks. Has Uncle Artemis come to visit again?”
    “No.” Olympia frowned at his dripping attire and started to ask why he had gone swimming in his clothes.
    Before she could speak, Ethan’s twin, Hugh, charged into the room. He was as covered in mud as his brother. In addition, his shirt was torn.
    “I say, Aunt Olympia, have we got visitors?” Hugh asked eagerly. His blue eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.
    Both boys skidded to a halt as they caught sight of Chillhurst. They stared at him while water and mud dripped onto the carpet at their feet.
    “Who are you?” Hugh asked bluntly.
    “Are you from London?” Ethan asked eagerly. “What have you got packed away in your carriage?”
    “What happened to your eye?” Hugh demanded.
    “Hugh, Ethan, have you both forgotten your manners?” Olympia gave each boy a gently admonishing look. “That is no way to greet a guest. Please run along upstairs and change your clothes. You both look as though you fell into the stream.”
    “Ethan pushed me in, so I pushed him in,” Hugh explained briefly. “And then Minotaur jumped into the water after us.”
    Ethan was immediately outraged. “I