Double Deceit Read Online Free PDF

with Uncle Thomas will land you in Bedlam in a week.”
    “Exactly, which is why I must recover the estate. But Sir Winton will never allow me near his daughter – which is why I need your help.”
    “You want me to court the girl?” Jon blanched.
    Tony grimaced. Jon’s adherence to Linden’s puritanical demands had left him unusually innocent. How was he to find a wife when he had no experience of the fair sex? But that was a problem for later.
    “No. I won’t put you through that. But you must assume my identity at Vale House. She cannot find out who I am until I have won her heart.”
    Jon again choked.
    “You have to help me,” said Tony firmly. “And not just for Mother’s sake. What will happen to the tenants, the villagers, even the staff if a fortune hunter gains control of the Park?”
    “Dear Lord above.” His face was now stark white. “They would be ruined.”
    Tony nodded. “A fortune hunter would not care that they have served the Lindens for centuries. He would strip the estate of every penny, raise rents to exorbitant levels, and dismiss anyone who objected. He might even remove you – the bishop would never keep a vicar over the objections of the principal landowner.”
    “But why must I impersonate you? Can’t you approach her in secret?” Jon’s voice squeaked.
    “Father claims she is deformed – quoting Sir Winton, I’ve no doubt, since he can’t know the wench – so she is probably secluded.”
    Jon nodded. Locking up the imperfect was common among the great families.
    “When Father offered my hand, Sir Winton turned it down, citing my reputation. So he would hardly allow me to court her.”
    “That damnable reputation!” Jon snorted. “How many times have I begged you to redeem yourself?”
    “Society does not easily admit fault.” He shrugged. “There is little I can do about it at the moment, and time is of the essence. Sir Winton demands that we leave within the month.” He paused while the housekeeper delivered cakes and a pot of tea. “The plan is simple. You will be the depraved Tony Linden. To protect her virtue, Miss Vale will naturally stay close to the soft-spoken vicar. Sir Winton probably knows me by sight, but only from a distance, so you should pass easily enough. Once she is firmly caught, I will reveal the truth, but by then it will not matter.”
    “This cannot possibly work,” protested Jon. “How can you court a woman under false pretenses?”
    “I’m not. I must lie about my name, but everything else will be the exact truth. My reputation is false, as you well know. Why should I allow rumor to condemn me without a hearing?”
    “It sounds too easy. You can’t have thought this through. Remember what happened with Squire Perkins?”
    “I was only twelve. Of course I overlooked a few details.” But he grinned, remembering the red-faced squire’s indignation. The man was nearly as disapproving as Linden.
    “Take time to think, Tony.”
    “I have. It will be easy. We will stage an accident near the gates. Sir Winton can hardly refuse us refuge – reputation aside, Tony Linden outranks him. And he will be accompanied by a vicar, who can keep his baser instincts under control. Miss Vale must be starving for company. She is already six-and-twenty, but I’d never heard of her, so Sir Winton must keep her incarcerated. Attention from an infatuated gentleman will warm her heart. A day or two should see the matter finished.”
    “Very well. Aunt Mary has always treated me as her son. I have to help her. But I cannot believe this will work. No matter what face you put on the matter, you plan to deceive the girl. I despise dishonesty.”
    “But it is occasionally necessary.” He thrust his conscience aside. “I will use the name Torwell to prevent confusion. I am accustomed to wearing it and doubt anyone at Vale House knows it. Two Lindens might raise questions.”
    Mounting his horse an hour later, he headed home, details circling his mind. This