An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire by Manda Collins

Author:Manda Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2021-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

When Caro arrived home, the Hardcastle butler, Newton, informed her that Kate and her assistant at The London Gazette, Miss Flora Deaver, had called in her absence. They were being entertained by her mother in the lady’s favorite sitting room.

After removing her hat and gloves, she hurried upstairs, just in time for the arrival of the tea tray.

“There you are,” her mother said with relief. “I told Lady Katherine and Miss Deaver you would be along soon, but I never quite know when you are racketing about in your cabriolet. Though you were with your betrothed, so I could not be overly concerned.”

Caro supposed she should be glad her mother was too pleased with the engagement to question too closely how or why it had come about. Though it was possible that she would have rejoiced even if Caro had become betrothed at the point of a shotgun so long as the prospective bridegroom possessed a title.

“I left word that I would be back before luncheon.” Caro kissed her mother on the cheek. “And here I am, just in time for the morning tea tray.”

“Did not Lord Wrackham come in with you?” Her mother looked at the doorway, as if expecting Val to materialize at any moment.

“No.” Caro took a seat between her mother’s chair and the settee upon which Kate and Flora sat. “He said he’d be back later this afternoon to speak with Papa.”

“As well he should,” her mother said primly. “He was naughty to ask before speaking with your father, but I suppose you are of age, so there’s no harm in it.”

“You have my felicitations, Caro,” said Flora. She had watched the interplay between mother and daughter with interest from behind her spectacles. She was a pretty young woman with golden blonde hair and a calm manner. Ludwig, Caro’s Siamese, had found her soothing from the moment he’d met her when Caro first brought him along with her to the offices of The London Gazette. In fact, the cat was so taken with the girl that she was the only one he would tolerate as a caretaker outside of Caro, and now Caro relied on her whenever she had to be away from town. “I understand it was quite a surprise.”

Her half smile told Caro that Kate had explained the unusual circumstances behind the engagement.

Beaming, Caro’s mother rose. “Now that Caro is here, I will leave you young ladies to chat in private. I have much to do to prepare for the wedding. Once the announcement reaches the papers, we’ll have so little time to prepare!”

Caro really should assert herself with regard to the wedding plans, but she would rather speak with Kate and Flora for now. After Val had spoken with Papa, they could discuss their preferences for the ceremony.

Once Mama had shut the parlor door behind her, Caro turned to her guests. “I hope your presence here means Eversham has had news.”

“I’m afraid not.” Kate sighed. “He was quite right that his superiors would be keener on searching for the carriage’s thieves than they’d be to find Effie.

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