Miss Quinn's Quandary Read Online Free PDF Page B

elder
sister at any length. His was not a bitter silence but a sad one, as if he did
not want to bring up any unpleasant memories. Then, nearly a year after his
death, Larissa had received a letter from her remaining long-lost relative,
offering her a home.
    Larissa did not have much say in the matter; Miss Simmons was
only too glad to respond favorably and wished her ex-pupil good luck. Larissa
felt a bit apprehensive of the opportunity at first—she knew nothing of the
outside world, not to mention the entire situation regarding her aunt. Was she
in a bad state? Confined to her room? An invalid perhaps? Larissa imagined her
aunt’s home as a small, dimly-lit, dingy country hovel, making the seminary
years feel luxurious in comparison.
    Even now her Aunt Ivy must have help of some type considering her
frail condition. Larissa hoped the kind woman who helped her aunt would
continue to help, admitting that two pairs of hands would ease the burden for
her.
    The rented hack drew to a halt in front of her aunt’s house.
Holding the strings of her reticule with both hands, Larissa drew a deep
breath, fortifying herself before facing what daunting tasks lay ahead.
    She disembarked then froze, staring at the house before her. This
wasn’t what she expected at all. The residence appeared not large in size but
grand. Brick walls and venetian windows faced her on this side of the modest
stately country home.
    She approached the front door and used the brass dolphin-shaped
knocker. An impeccably dressed, statuesque butler answered the door. Larissa
would have never guessed her aunt would be able to employ several servants.
    “I am Miss Quinn. I believe my aunt is expecting me.”
    The butler stepped back, without uttering a word, and opened the
door wide. Larissa stepped through the portal. Wood paneling surrounded her in
the foyer, and a wide staircase spiraled up to the right. Larissa was amazed at
the richly appointed interior. This was far beyond what she had expected.
    Two recessed alcoves flanked the set of double doors at the far
end of the entry hall. In each alcove, a columned pedestal held a statue. On
the right was Artemis bathing and on the left Actaeon in mid-transformation,
half man, half stag.
    Her visual tour stopped at the sight of three large trunks
stacked in the foyer.
    Did she have the wrong house? It appeared the occupants were
readying themselves to leave, and she had only just arrived.
    The rustle of taffeta skirts and staccato steps announced the
lady of the house. “Oh, it’s you, Larissa, my dear girl!” the woman squealed.
“My dear, dear, dear girl.” She took Larissa into her arms and gave a squeeze,
making it difficult for Larissa’s lungs to hold air.
    Was this her aged aunt?
    “I’m your Aunt Ivy. Now, let me have a look at you, my dear.” She
held Larissa out at arm’s length, a great, welcoming smile on her kind face.
“You look so much like him. Your father, that is. He was such a wonderful man.”
Tears came to Ivy’s eyes. “I am sorry to keep you standing about like this
after your long trip. Do come in.” She drew Larissa into the foyer. “Hayes,
take care of my niece’s luggage.”
    “At once, my lady.”
    “Let us go into the drawing room and have some tea,” she murmured
to Larissa. “Hayes, tea and biscuits, please. Or would you care to have
something more to eat?” Larissa opened her mouth to speak but hadn’t a chance
to answer. “How thoughtless of me, of course you would. Hayes, have cook send a
plate to keep Larissa until dinner.”
    “At once, my lady.”
    This was not what Larissa had expected. Not only was her aunt not
aged, she seemed teeming with more enthusiasm than Larissa had ever seen contained
in a single human being. Her aunt, it was now quite obvious to Larissa, was a
lady of leisure.
    “I am so very pleased you’ve arrived.” She led Larissa by the
hand through the double doors. “Come along, now. Come now, don’t dawdle.”
    The drawing room