The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) Read Online Free PDF

was right. The very idea was absurd.
    “I’m not asking you to stay forever, to take up permanent residence. Nor am I asking you for a decision as to your future. Not at the moment. You might not even like England after all.” His father’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if he didn’t care if Jack decided to accompany him or not. But the look in his eyes told an entirely different story. “However, it does seem that this is the perfect opportunity to meet my— your —family.”
    “Perhaps another time.” Mother stood, her posture as always straight and perfect, and clasped her hands in front of her.
    Jack wasn’t the type of man to act on impulse. A trip to England would involve planning and a great deal of due consideration. Arrangements would have to be made.
    “I would have to take a leave of absence,” Jack said thoughtfully.
    “It would also give us the chance to get to know one another. The voyage is nearly a week,” his father added in an offhand manner.
    Still, now that he had discovered he had a father, it wouldn’t be at all ill-advised to spend time with him. One might say it would be impolite to do otherwise.
    “A week there and a week back,” Mother began. “Why you’d be gone at least a month. And doesn’t that place poor Lucinda in an awkward position.”
    “Oh, don’t bother yourselves about me.” Lucy rose to her feet, excitement glittering in her eyes. “I think it’s a splendid idea, simply splendid.”
    Mother’s eyes narrowed. “But weren’t you planning on announcing your engagement soon?”
    “Don’t be silly, that can wait.” Lucy waved off the objection. “It’s not as if we haven’t put off our engagement before and for far less important reasons than this.”
    “You’re not getting any younger, dear,” Mother said pointedly.
    Jack raised a brow. “You wouldn’t mind postponing it again?”
    “Not at all,” Lucy said staunchly. “I think you should go. I think it would be a mistake for you not to go. One you might well regret.”
    “Do you really?”
    “Without question.” She nodded. “Goodness, Jackson, it isn’t often that a man discovers his father has come back from the grave.” She leaned toward him in a confidential manner and lowered her voice. “Although I do think you should ask how it happened that your father and his brother were both believed to be dead by their children. It’s a rather startling coincidence, don’t you think?”
    Jack glanced at his mother. “Not if my aunt is anything like my mother.”
    “There is that.” Lucy stepped closer and rested her hand on his arm. “Don’t forget, Jackson, I know you as well as I know myself. You already feel a certain amount of foolish guilt because you accepted everything your mother and grandfather said, or didn’t say, about your father.” She met his gaze firmly. “Besides, it would be terribly selfish of me to think only of myself. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your family and find out exactly, oh I don’t know, who you are, I suppose. To find the answers to all those questions you’ve had all these years and I think you should take it.”
    Certainly the bank could get along without him.
    “One thing I should warn you about.” Father chose his words with care. “No one knows of your existence. I should have taken the time to inform my brother but it did seem to me that time was of the essence.” He shrugged. “I was eager to get here, you see. For all I knew, you had no interest in meeting me. But I had to find out.”
    Jack smiled. “I’m glad you did.”
    “As am I.” The older man chuckled. “This is going to be quite a surprise for the rest of the family. I suspect Nigel will be quite pleased but I have no idea what the girls will think. The women in our family can be most headstrong and stubborn.”
    “Then Jackson will feel right at home,” Lucy said under her breath.
    “I can’t believe you’re even considering this.” Shock sounded in Mother’s