Practice to Deceive Read Online Free PDF Page A

with a trace of horror. “He’ll not leave that ghastly room until they’ve broken the poor fool.”
    â€œWhich may take longer than your lord fancies.” Otton tidied his lady’s gown. “I saw Chandler when they hauled him in. I’ve come up against his type before. Delavale should have let me question him.”
    Sybil shuddered again, then caught Otton’s hands, pressing them against her soft flesh and saying invitingly, “But he did not, and so we are safe, my dearest love.”
    He smiled down at her. She really was a delightful dalliance, and always so willing. But—“You’re a hot little vixen, ain’t you, Sybil?” He ran his fingers down her cheek.
    She swayed to him. “What would you expect, with Joseph for a husband?”
    â€œYet you loved him once.”
    She pouted and said pettishly, “He had less resemblance to a whale then. Now, he lusts only after money.”
    â€œAye, so as to keep you satisfied, m’dear.” He grinned to see anger flash into her wide brown eyes, and added, “His present pursuit of riches may soon be interrupted.”
    â€œNo, I tell you! I have instructed the servants that he confers on weighty matters with his man of business and that he is not to be disturbed under any circumstances.”
    He led her to the sofa and, when she had sat down, seated himself close beside her and took up her hand. He began to kiss the fingers, and then the palm. He had progressed to the wrist, and Sybil’s eyes were languorous again when he asked idly, “Did you also instruct your niece?”
    She frowned and jerked her hand away. “Lud, but you are in a funning mood today, Roland! Yes. I told the chit he was to be left alone.”
    He chuckled. “I think she will not heed you.”
    â€œShe had best do so, for her own good! If she—” Suspicious of the sly amusement in his expression, she interrupted herself. “And why would she do such a thing? She despises him.”
    â€œPerhaps because … I told her, my life.”
    â€œTold her? What?”
    He kissed her ear and answered with a wicked twitch of the lips, “Why, that I have … won her hand in marriage.”
    The lackey, crossing the hall towards the kitchens, paused as he heard the shriek that rang out from the direction of the book room. He gave a faint snort of mirth. That devil Otton must be really pleasing my lady.… One of these days milord would catch those two at it, and then … then the fur would fly!

II
    On the second floor of Highview Manor were some fourteen bedchambers, four having adjacent parlours, and all containing dressing rooms, some of which could be opened to an adjoining room to form a suite. The north side was reserved to the family and consisted of the master suite and five large bedchambers. One of these latter had been Geoffrey’s, and another, Penelope’s. Of late years, however, Penelope had been dispossessed several times and was now the occupant of a large but rather shabby room situated in the southwest corner. She did not turn in that direction when she reached the second floor because, contrary to what she had told her aunt, she had not the remotest intention of tidying her appearance before she confronted Lord Joseph. The knowledge that Roland Otton was already downstairs and undoubtedly conferring with Sybil fanned the flames of her rage. It was in vain that she told herself that Joseph, who had hitherto been so determined she should make an advantageous marriage, would not agree to her union with his penniless henchman. She had long ago deduced that her uncle from time to time engaged in activities that were, at best, shady. Captain Otton’s services were obviously valued; perhaps indispensable. Uncle Joseph’s reliance upon the Captain might well have led to his agreement to such a betrothal. Hurrying along the hall, she decided that if such was the