Love by Deception (Age of Innocence) (3 page)

Your loving father,

George

“I
can hardly believe all this,” Isabel said.

“Nor
I, but we can take comfort in the fact that we are truly sisters. I could not
have asked for a more loving and caring sister,” Georgette said falling back
into her pillows.

“I
feel the same, but now you must eat something.”

Georgette
laughed for the first time in a long while. “Still as bossy as ever! You would
do well to remember that I’m the older sister.”

Isabel
handed Georgette a plate of bread and cheese. “I’ll think about it. Now eat,
please.”

Georgette
took a few bites before her brow creased.

“What
are you thinking? I know that look,” Isabel said.

“I
was wondering how we
will
announce that you are more
than my lady’s maid?”

“I
don’t know. Everyone in the village knows me as such. I don’t think it will be
heady news to anyone that I could also be your poor cousin. We have lived such
a sparse life and that could be why I’m your maid, but let’s not worry about
this now.”

“Of
course, dearest, but we must think about this.”

“And
we will, but first, eat.”

Georgette
smiled as she took a bite of cheese.

4 months later…

April 1817

Twenty-six-year-old
Colby Tisbury sat atop his horse on the rise overlooking the tenant farms that
provided his family with their continuing source of income. His father, Lord
Albert Tisbury, had asked him to make the rounds before the spring planting to
make sure the tenants had all they needed for a successful season. Lord Tisbury
was a stickler for ensuring the tenants' happiness. Cottage roofs were repaired
on a regular basis to keep the families warm and dry, horses' hooves were
inspected, and anything else that needed tending to, Lord Tisbury saw it was
done. If the tenants were happy, they worked the land well, and that meant more
income for the Tisbury family. That made it a win/win situation as far as his
father was concerned, and it was the way he’d always conducted business.

Colby
had the utmost respect for his father and planned to continue his practices
when the time came for him to become the next Lord Tisbury. His father still
boasted good health and for that, Colby was grateful because he felt there was
still so much to learn about running such a large estate. He’d been making the
twice-annual trips for the past five years, except for last fall when he had
been laid up recuperating from a gunshot wound. Much to his chagrin, he’d been
caught up in a gambling addiction, and a bad night of losses had turned into a
dreaded duel. It had been the scariest night of his young life. He had found
out he was not invincible, and that was a hard lesson to swallow. During the
weeks he spent recovering, he vowed to never step foot in a gambling hall
again.

His
cousin, Ethan Richardson, had saved his life with his quick actions after the
duel, and had made the visits to the tenant farmers in his place while Colby
recovered. He owed Ethan a big debt of gratitude, but his cousin disagreed.
Ethan believed it was what family did for each other. Colby had the utmost
respect for Ethan.

He
reached up and took off his hat, running his hand through his thick brown hair.
The April weather had turned warmer than usual and his hair curled around his
ears and at his collar from the humidity. He was a few weeks early for the
spring visit, but he wanted to complete the farm tours before the uncomfortable
heat set in permanently.

He
replaced his hat and patted his black stallion’s neck. “You ready, Diego?” The
horse snorted and Colby clicked him into motion. His first stop was Thomas
Galen’s cottage. Tom and his two brothers had lived on Tisbury land for nearly
twenty years. Their father was the original tenant and as the Galen brothers
grew up and married, they all followed in their father’s footsteps and rented
their own plot of Tisbury land.

The
cozy stone cottage came into view and Colby saw Thomas outside playing with his
young sons. The little boys’ laughter floated on the air. It was clear they
loved their father. A twinge of envy settled in Colby’s gut. Would he have his
own coveted family some day? No young lady had caught his eye for the past few
Seasons, much to his father’s displeasure. Lord Tisbury had been hinting for
the past few years that it was time for Colby to be settled, but he wasn’t
looking forward to the Season this year with the latest group of twittering
young ladies all vying for his attention, especially Miss Kathryn Larkinson. He
didn’t want a wallflower for a wife. His ideal woman wouldn’t be afraid to
speak her mind, but he wasn’t sure she even existed. Young ladies were taught
to be subservient to their future husbands, not offering any opinions of their
own. How would he know a young lady’s mind if she never shared anything of
substance with him?

Thomas
turned as Colby came trotting down the dirt road. “Mr. Tisbury, what brings you
around today?”

“Hello,
Thomas,” Colby said as he dismounted Diego. He offered his hand and Thomas
shook it in a firm grip. “I’ve come to make the spring rounds and see if any
repairs are needed.”

“Boys,
go play while I talk with Mr. Tisbury,” Thomas said to his children.

His
three sons scampered off toward the back of the cottage. “My turn to swing,”
said the youngest as they rounded the corner.

“They’re
getting so big,” Colby said. “Where does the time go?”

“Nothing
like growing sons to make a man feel old,” Thomas said with a chuckle. “Beth is
inside with our newest son. Care for some tea?”

“Sure,
thanks,” Colby said. He tied his horse’s reins to the post and followed Thomas
inside the cottage.

Beth
came rushing out from the back room. “Thomas, I told you to keep the boys
outside. The little one is down for a nap.”

“The
boys are outside, but I’ve brought a guest for tea,” Thomas said, kissing his
wife on the cheek.

Beth
looked beyond her husband and her face split into a wide grin. “Mr. Tisbury,
how delightful to see you.”

Colby
walked to Beth and lifted her hand to his lips for a quick kiss. “The pleasure
is all mine, Mrs. Galen.”

Beth’s
cheeks colored. “Oh, call me Beth. Please have a seat. The tea will be ready in
a few moments.

“Thank
you,” Colby said, sitting at the sturdy wooden table that dominated the main
room in the cottage.

Beth
busied herself getting the teacups on the table. “So what brings you around
today, Mr. Tisbury?” she asked.

Colby
took off his hat. “I’m off to London soon, but I wanted to check in with all
the farmers before I left. Make sure you don’t have need of anything.”

Thomas
grinned. “Off to find yourself a wife at last?”

Colby
chuckled. “Something
like
that. My father’s hints are
no longer subtle. He feels it’s time I settled down and found myself a wife. I
fear I’ve exhausted his patience, so either I choose a wife or he’ll choose one
for me.”

“A
father likes to see his sons settle, I suspect.”

Colby
nodded as Beth poured the tea. “Would you care for a sweet cake with your tea?
I baked some this morning,” she said.

“Yes,
that sounds delicious. Thank you,” Colby said.

Colby
spent the next thirty minutes visiting with the
Galens
until their three older sons came barging into the house.

“Mama,
Richard won’t let me have a turn on the swing,” their youngest wailed. The
noise woke up the baby and his cries joined those of his brothers, both
clamoring for their mother’s attention.

“So
nice to see you, Mr. Tisbury, but I must tend to the little one or he’ll be out
of sorts for the rest of the day,” Beth said.

“Of
course. I should be on my way as well. There are some other farmers I need to
check in with before I head home. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate
to send word,” Colby told Thomas as he stood and extended his hand.

Thomas
shook Colby’s hand in a firm grasp. “Will do. Good luck in finding a wife.
She’ll be one lucky girl to catch your eye.”

“We
shall see,” Colby said and walked outside. He put on his hat, mounted Diego and
clicked the horse into a trot. As he traveled to the next farm, he couldn’t
help but think about Thomas’ last statement. Would his future wife be the lucky
one? He wasn’t looking forward to courting anyone at the moment. None of the
young ladies that had been introduced in the past few seasons had managed to
keep his attention for long. They were perfectly acceptable choices according
to his father, but none offered witty conversation or stirred his blood with
passion. He vowed to hold out until he found the perfect woman. Perhaps this
Season would be different.

***

Isabel lifted her eyes from her
embroidery to steal a look at Georgette. Her sister was looking healthier these
days and she was glad of it. It had been hard those first few weeks after Mr.
Condiff’s death to convince her to leave her bedchamber, but each day Isabel
coaxed her to the parlor and to stay up a little longer. When she mentioned
that they should start to practice their dancing, Georgette balked, but Isabel
was relentless in her pleas and finally Georgette had no choice but to agree if
she ever wanted any peace.

“Isabel, I see you looking at me.
Rest assured I am feeling quite well today and there’s no need for you to hover
over me.”

Isabel chuckled. “There will always
be a need for me to hover. You are my sister and I want you to stay well. Left
to your own devices, I’m not sure you would take proper care of yourself.”

“Might I remind you that I’m the
older sister and I should be the one giving orders here.
”

“My dearest sister, you may give
the orders all you like, but just know that I won’t always be following them.”

Georgette stared at her headstrong
younger sister and shook her head although a smile played on her lips. “Always
the bossy one.”

“If it keeps you well, then I’m
happy to take that title,” Isabel said, her violet eyes full of mischief.

“Would you care for some tea?”
Georgette asked.

“Yes, that will be lovely. I’ll get
it.”

Georgette stood and pointed her
finger at her sister. “No, you sit there. I’m perfectly capable of preparing
and serving us some tea.”

Isabel wanted to object, but she
knew the more tasks that Georgette did for herself, the stronger she would
become. And that was her most fervent wish – for her sister to stay
healthy. Georgette was her only family now, and Isabel couldn’t imagine life
without her. Ever since the reading of Mr. Condiff’s will four months ago, a
calm had settled over her, knowing that she was no longer alone and adrift in
the world. Georgette was her anchor, and Isabel wanted her to enjoy a long and
happy life.

It didn’t take long for Georgette
to come back with the tray of tea and slices of sweet cake. “See, that didn’t
take long,” she said as she placed the tray on a nearby table. She poured the
tea and handed the cup and saucer to Isabel.

Isabel put her embroidery aside.
“Thank you. You know I only have your best interests at heart, right? I don’t
want you to think I’m being heartless when I push you to do things on your
own.”

Georgette poured a cup of tea for
herself and sat down in her father’s leather chair. “I know, dearest, but it’s
been so tiring trying to be healthy. Might we take the day off from the dancing
lessons and perhaps read for the afternoon instead? It’s been awhile since I’ve
felt well enough to even do that.”

Isabel watched as Georgette
lovingly rubbed her hands on the worn leather chair. “Of course, we can. That
sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon. You know I miss him too.”

Georgette looked up with tears
filling her eyes and threatening to spill down her cheeks. “I can’t believe
he’s gone. I wake up each morning thinking that I will see him when I come into
the parlor. I know he wasn’t happy the last few years, but the house seems so
hollow without him to fill it up with his presence.”

Isabel nodded. “I understand. The
last months have been painful, to say the least, but I can hardly believe I’m a
gentleman’s daughter. It is a heady fact to digest.”

“Speaking of that, Isabel, you must
stop acting as my lady’s maid. You and I are both daughters of a fine gentleman
and if you wish to find a husband deserving of you, you must learn to act the
part. You are a servant no longer.”

Isabel nodded. “I know, but it will
be hard to relinquish my duties taking care of you, especially when I don’t see
them as a chore in the least. It’s my pleasure to make life as comfortable for
you as possible. You must know that.”

“Indeed, I do, but all the same,
you must stop fussing over me all the time. Now, do you remember the lessons
the governess taught us about the proper decorum for a lady?”

“Not really. I think I skipped out
on a number of those lessons. Do you really think there’s a chance I’ll find a
husband in London?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t you?
You’re beautiful and smart, and perhaps with a few lessons, the perfect young
lady for any gentleman to be happy to have as his wife.

Isabel beamed at her sister. She
always knew the right things to say to make her feel loved. A husband? Wouldn’t
that be something? She closed her eyes and wondered what it would be like to be
kissed, really kissed by a man. The only man she’d been around for most of her
life was Mr. Condiff and half the time, he had ignored her.

“Isabel, are you listening?”

Isabel’s eyes popped open and she
felt a blush rise up her neck. “Sorry, I was merely thinking about the
possibility of attracting a husband.”

Georgette nodded. “I understand,
but please pay attention. A lady’s most important accessory is her fan. Use it
to give yourself a few moments to think of an appropriate response should a
gentlemen come over and speak with you. It would not do well for you to blurt
out the first thing that comes to mind.”

“Are you saying I’m too bold?”

“Maybe a little,” Georgette said.

Isabel stood and placed her teacup
on the tray and hurried up the stairs. “I’ll be right back,” she said over her
shoulder.

When Isabel came back into the
parlor with a white lace fan, she saw her sister was frowning.

“Isabel, what are you doing?”

“I’m following your advice. Shall I
practice for you?”

Georgette couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes.”