Heritage of Lancaster County 02 The Confession by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-01T12:05:55.046000+00:00

153 here in a few minutes, sir." She eyed Dylan with dark, probing eyes, growing even darker as she stared pointedly.

So that's how they're going to play this, he thought, pulling his gaze away from Rosie and purposely concentrating on Laura.

He waited.

But her eyes remained fixed on her lap, more precisely, her hands. Yet he continued to regard her. Would she speak up--invite him at the last minute? Now was her chance if ever there was to be one. She could show her true colors, display her undying devotion to the man who'd brought her Amish daughter home to her.

The waiting turned awkward; an annoyingly empty space of time ensued, one devoid of a response.

So be it. She'd dug her grave.., let her lie in it. This he thought without remorse.

"Do have a wonderful evening, all of you." His words slipped out, smooth and measured. He dared not look at "Katie" now. Neither Katie nor Laura.

His wife desired an evening alone with her daughter, and he presumed to know the reason. For questioning, no doubt. For gaining an understanding of Amish life and its peculiar customs. For catching up on all she'd missed through the years.

He almost sneered as he contemplated it. Thankfully, he'd already anticipated the cozy scene between mother and daughter. And Katie Lapp--model and actress--had been well rehearsed for just such a quiet evening alone with Laura. He had been over this business--what to say.., how to respond--a million and one times with her.

Tonight was the night. With or without him at the table, his wife's supposed daughter was on the verge of pulling the entire woolen cloak over the eyes of the soon-to-be- deceased mistress of the Bennett estate. Conning her way into Laura's good graces, she would inherit Katherine's

154 birthright, which would, in due time, be transferred to lan's own hefty accounts.

He could scarcely wait for a report of the evening. A play-by-play would be most entertaining, indeed. He stood and excused himself. Then, planting a guileless grin on his face, he went around the wheelchair, leaned over, and gave Laura a tender kiss on her cheek.

Not exactly a victory kiss, he thought. Oh, but very close. That kiss would be forthcoming.

"Good night, my darling," he crooned. "Have a marvelous evening.., both of you."

"Thank you" was all she said. Her manners were intact, obviously. Yet he knew without a doubt that she was most eager to get on with becoming better acquainted with Katie. Was ready for him to be gone, on his way.

Irritated, he rushed up to his office and rang for a chauffeur. He'd misjudged the final outcome of the evening entirely. Thought he had Laura figured out better than this. "Fulton," he thundered into the intercom, "have Theodore bring a car around to the front."

"Theodore's busy presently, sir."

"Oh?"

"I believe he's en route with Mrs. Bennett's commissioned artist--a Mr. Justin Wirth."

"Yes, yes, I know of him." He was now feeling annoyed at Fulton, of all things. One delay after another.

Justin Wirth, indeed. His sickly wife was certainly cunning when she wanted to be.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.