Imitation of Love Read Online Free PDF

was a bustle of activity as they were
presented then shown to their rooms.
     
    “Miss Willoughby, Miss Alyssa, I would
like you to meet Mrs. Somerson,” said Mr. Oakley, as a red haired beauty
climbed the steps where Catherine and Alyssa waited.
     
    Phoebe Somerson made a beeline for
Alyssa. “Oh, Xander, you were right about her. She is such a doll. I will make
you my pet when we go to Court, dear, and ensure only the very best looking and
richest young men talk to you.” She took Alyssa by the arm, and walked into the
house with her, virtually ignoring Catherine. Alyssa glanced back, alarmed,
clearly not liking the idea of being Phoebe Somerson’s pet very much at all.
     
    “My sister, Miss Catherine Willoughby, is
also pleased to meet you,” Alyssa said pointedly.
    “Oh yes, Miss Willoughby,” said Phoebe,
remembering her manners. She held out her hand, which was cold to the touch. “I
think Xander might have mentioned you.”
     
    Rather than being offended, Catherine
was amused. She gave a small curtsey. “Mrs. Somerson. I think Mr. Oakley might
have mentioned you too,” she said, mischievously.
    She noticed Mr. Oakley’s lips twitch
slightly and wondered if he was about to remonstrate with her. Instead he
gestured for Catherine to go into the house with Phoebe and Alyssa, and he
followed them.
     
    There was no doubt that Phoebe Somerson
already considered Oakley Castle to be hers, and that she was the hostess for
the weekend. She had no compunction about standing at Mr. Oakley’s side as he
talked to his guests, taking the honour they showed him as her due.  She was
charming to everyone, and everyone was charmed by her. Except Catherine, to
whom she seemed rather brittle.  But she was wise enough to admit to herself
that seeing Phoebe Somerson at Oakley’s side irked her a little. In a short
time she had come to admire him greatly and to appreciate why Jimmy did. She
could not understand why a man of his intelligence and courage would want a
woman who seemed to have very little of any importance to say. But, she
supposed, he had other reasons for admiring Mrs. Somerson. That she was
beautiful was without doubt. She would make a fine Mrs. Oakley.
     
    In Phoebe Somerson Catherine also saw
what Alyssa might become. Could she bear to see her sister turn into such a
mercenary? For the first time she began to wonder if she’d done the right thing
in bringing Alyssa to Oakley Castle. It was too late now. The die was cast. But
she hoped that Alyssa might keep some of the humanity that Catherine knew was
hidden amongst the love of fine clothes and flattering words from men. If only
Alyssa could marry someone like Mr. Oakley. He might inspire her to be a better
person. At that thought, Catherine wondered why she had not considered that
before. Apart from the fact that Mr. Oakley was twelve years older than Alyssa,
he would be the perfect choice. So why, when she thought of him with her
sister, did Catherine feel even more irritation than she did seeing him with Phoebe
Somerson?
     
    The answer came to her in an instant. He
had no intentions of ever marrying Phoebe Somerson. She might make a fine Mrs. Oakley
in regards to her looks, but there was something rather cheap about her manner.
Alyssa, on the other hand, was well brought up, and though young, behaved in a
way a noble lady should.  Mr. Oakley would never marry Phoebe Somerson, but he
might marry someone like Alyssa.
     
    “Are you well, Miss Willoughby?”
     
    She jumped when she realized that once
again he had crept up on her, but that once again she became acutely aware of
his presence as soon as he did make it known. “I am very well, thank you, Mr.
Oakley.”
     
    “Only you looked a little upset. Has
anything happened to disturb you?”
     
    “No, not at all. It has been a long day
and I’m just a little tired. We’ve lived rather a quiet life at Willoughby
Manor. I’ve never been in the presence of so many people before. I feel as