Deception Read Online Free PDF Page A

will think the worst of her.”
    “Not a chance,” Willene said, looking Connor up one side and down the other. “Unless she’s hiding hooves in her shoes, no one would mistake her for anything but a woman. She’s leggy, but she’s a woman, right enough.”
    Clay took Connor’s elbow as if he expected her to run. “Willene’s outspoken,” he said. “You’ll have to learn to hold your own with her.”
    “I can manage.” Connor was amused at the relationship between the two. After all she’d heard about Mobile society and servants, she found Clay’s behavior a pleasant surprise. And Willene promised to be a bonus to her days. The stout old woman was herding them into the house, talking a mile a minute.
    “The upstairs wing is cleaned up, and I unpacked the bags Jeff brought in. I can see right off that you need to go out and buy you some dresses. Nothin’ but pants. Honey, if my body looked like yours, I’d trim it up in a blue velvet dress and prance.”
    “Willene!” Clay’s voice lacked any reprimand. “I believe Ms. Tremaine can manage her wardrobe without any fashion tips from you.”
    “Women today forget how to dress. That’s a fact.” She looked at Connor. “Tall, slender woman like yourself, you could knock a man dead in the right dress. Put that auburn hair up, kind of loose and drapin’ down your back. Add a little touch of green shadow to bring out those eyes, a bit of lipstick, you’d be …”
    “What’s for dinner?” Clay interrupted.
    “I didn’t get here until after lunch. Fried chicken and potato salad. I brought half a pecan pie I had at my house, thinking you both might enjoy something sweet after dinner. I’ve got to go to the store tomorrow and buy big. Since Ms. Talla …” She stopped abruptly, the flush fading from her cheeks as she dropped her eyes in embarrassment. “Anyway, I set the table for a cold dinner, ‘cause I didn’t know when you’d be here. I’ve just put some coffee to brewing, and I should ask what wine you’ll be wantin’ with dinner. Or would you like a special drink?”
    “I believe Ms. Tremaine wants a bath.” Clay’s good humor had evaporated. His tone was cold. “Would you care for some refreshment, Ms. Tremaine?”
    “Coffee would be wonderful,” Connor said. She could feel the sudden tension, and it made her uneasy. She was exhausted and confused. What had set Clay off?
    “Sally went out to check the pecan orchard,” Willene said. “It should be a good crop this year. Plenty of rain. I think she really went out to see if Jeff was hangin’ around the back fence. Anyway, when she gets back in, I’ll send up coffee. Cream and sugar?”
    “Black,” Connor said with a smile.
    “I’ll show Ms. Tremaine to her room,” Clay said, touching Connor’s shoulder as he started down the hall. “I’m sure she’s tired, and eager for a hot soak.”
    At Clay’s firm touch Connor stepped through the entrance hall. A central staircase led up to the second and third floors, but Clay moved beyond it. The hallway continued down the center of the house and then split to left and right. Clay guided her to the left, down another corridor. Family portraits and a collection of beautiful mirrors lined the walls. Connor had time only for passing glances as Clay directed her toward a smaller staircase that led up to her suite of rooms on the second floor.
    At the door he paused, reaching into his pocket for a key. “There’s a spare at my office, just in case you lose yours. But this is the only key on these grounds. That way you can have some privacy.”
    “Thank you.” Connor took the key, intrigued by the shape and heft of it. “A skeleton key?”
    “That’s the term,” Clay said, “but there aren’t any bones.” His grin was deliberately wicked. “At least, not in your room.”
    Connor unlocked the heavy door and stepped inside. She had a quick impression of antiques, muted pastels, and polished glass. “I’ll hold you to that,”