Deceived by Bertrice Small Page A

softly.
    â€œTrahern,” the duke said suddenly. “I thank you for accompanying my wife to Dover, but I would assume that you have an engagement elsewhere this evening. We will excuse you.”
    Charles, Lord Trahern, bowed to the Duke of Farminster, a small sardonic smile upon his mouth. “Good evening to you, then, your grace,” he said, bowing. Then he left the room.
    â€œI did not want him to go!” Cally said angrily, stamping her foot.
    â€œHe overstayed his welcome” came the response from her husband.
    â€œYou are always spoiling my fun!” Cally whined. “And now you have given me the headache. I am going to bed, Hawkesworth, and I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone.”
    â€œOf course, my dear,” the duke said smoothly, and he bowed to her. “Shall I escort you to your room?”
    â€œNo!” Cally said sharply, and she departed the drawing room.
    There was a long silence. George Spencer-Kimberly looked exceedingly uncomfortable. The dowager looked annoyed. There was a look on Valerian Hawkesworth’s face that Aurora could not fathom. She said, “What has happened to my stepsister? I do not know her any longer.”
    â€œShe has, I am afraid,” said the dowager, “been seduced by society. I have seen it happen before with these young girls.” She poured a generous dollop of fragrant tea into a deep saucer and handed it to Aurora. “It is worse with Calandra, for she had no contact with real society before she came to England. She tells me she lived on St. Timothy her entire life, and never even visited Barbados. Why on earth did her father not at least take her to Barbados?”
    â€œI believe our father did not quite see Cally and me as growing up into young women,” Aurora said quietly. She took a sip of her tea. It was hot and satisfying. She took another sip, and then set the saucer down upon a small table. “We did not even know of this marriage arrangement Papa had made until we received your letter, ma’am. Only then did my brother, George, open Papa’s strongbox, and we found the betrothal agreement. Had Valerian just arrived without prior warning on your part, we should have been even more surprised than we were.”
    The dowager nodded. “My late husband and your father were obviously cut from the same cloth,” she said. “No need to trouble the ladies until we must, my James used to say.” She shook her head. “As if women cannot manage on their own. Well, we can, but I suppose to keep them happy, we must pretend we cannot.” She peered at Aurora. “You look a far more sensible miss than your sister, child. Are you?”
    â€œWe are different, ma’am, I will admit, but we are sisters, and do love each other. Cally calls me a bluestocking. If loving learning makes me such a creature, then I suppose I am.”
    â€œAnd are you as eager to make your mark on society as is your sister?” the dowager asked Aurora.
    â€œI think I am a trifle afraid of society” was the reply. “From the little I have seen of England so far, it is most overwhelming. The drive from Dover was interesting, but once we reached the city I found myself becoming a trifle uncomfortable. I suppose it is because I am not used to so many people, and so many buildings. I believe I shall prefer Hawkes Hill,” Aurora concluded.
    â€œI’ve lived in England my entire life,” the dowager woman replied, “and I, too, prefer Hawkes Hill.” She smiled, but her eyes were again scanning Aurora’s face. Why did the girl look so familiar? “Valerian!” she called to her grandson. “Bring Mr. Spencer-Kimberly over here so I may get a better look at him.”
    The duke complied with her request, flashing a quick grin at his companion. “Now you’re in for it,” he said low.
    The dowager looked the young man over carefully. Medium brown hair. Hazel