"Hiatt, Brenda - Daring Deception" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hiatt Brenda)

who had taken a keen interest in all that went into running a large household
and its adjacent farms. She had set herself to learn every aspect of
management, from consulting with Cook to visiting the tenant families, and
had gradually taken on all the responsibilities that would have been her
mother's, had she lived, as well as many of her father's.

Thomas, meanwhile, had eluded all his parent's efforts to educate him as
befitted an heir, often spending even his holidays at Eton, and then Oxford,
with his friends.

"It is all very well you am finally taking an interest in Maple Hill,"

Frederiea said, finding her tongue at last.

"But what has that to do with my marrying? I cannot believe you would make
such a decision for my future without consulting me. Come, tell me this is
one of your hoaxes, Thorn" No Freddie, it is not. I am persuaded that Sea
brooke will make you a splendid husband.

You will doubtless thank me when you grow accustomed to the idea. " His tone
was lofty, but he still avoided her eye.

Frederica's slow temper finally reached its boiling point.

"Thank you? For flippantly arranging the rest of my life without so much as
a by-your-leave? I think not!

I would never have encouraged you to go to London had I known you would do
something so shatter brained Now I suppose it will be up to me to write to
this Lord Sea brooke to cry off, as if I had nothing better with which to
occupy my time. "

"It is too late for that," Thomas informed her bluntly.

"The contracts have already been drawn up. To cry off now would cause no end
of scandal and be exceedingly awkward for all con- CelT led ." ' He had no
intention of telling her just how awkward. In payment of his gaming debt, he
had settled twelve thousand pounds of Frederiea's inheritanCe on Lord Sea
brooke in advanCe. If the betrothal were canCelled, he would still owe the
man that impossible sum. During the journey home, Sir Thomas had managed to
convince himself that he truly was acting in his sister's best interests,
never realizing that Lord Sea brooke himself had done much to plant that
satisfactory idea in his head.

Frederica took three deep breaths, as her old governess had always
recommended she do in times of stress. It was being borne in upon her that
her brother actually wished her to honour this outrageous commitment. Biting
back another angry retort, she determined to discover all the particulars
involved. Organized to a fault, Frederica preferred to have all the facts at
her disposal before dealing with any problem. The approach had served her