Free An Elaborate Hoax (A Gentlemen of Worth Book 5) by Shirley Marks Page B

them with of your childhood at the Willows. Both of them are very excited to replicate the very outings you enjoyed in your youth.”
    “They really cannot expect—” David had told the children tales, but he did not intend to reenact each and every one.
    “You have not forgotten.” Mrs. Parker turned toward him. “You’ve gone on about stories for years . . . growing up at the Willows, the long treks in the countryside, surveying the caves by the sea, climbing trees in the orchard.”
    “Years? Oh, I say. You can’t mean that, Davy is only three.”
    “He will be quick to remind you he is three and a half , ” Mrs. Parker remarked. “And he is very impressionable. Perhaps he cannot recall every tale you’ve told, but Lucy certainly can. And whatever she does . . .”
    “Oh, yes, I know . . . her younger brother is a willing conspirator.” David could only agree.
    “You are no longer their all-fun-and-frolic godfather, sir. You have now been elevated to father . As children, they cannot be expected to keep that in mind, but I trust you will do me the favor of not having to remind you of your position as well.”
    As he gazed upon Mrs. Parker, her gentle presence brought to mind that he was not only to be a father but also a husband. David found it quite a sobering thought.

    After the frolic on the lawn with the children, Penny returned to her room to change out of her traveling dress for supper and discovered she had torn the hem. Let that be a lesson to her to behave her age. She should not have been racing about like a schoolgirl. She laid it across the back of a chair; she would not burden Amelia with its repair but mend it herself in the morning.
    Although she had been informed as to the delay of dinner, Penny removed to the front parlor expecting the imminent arrival of the others. She pulled her Kerseymere shawl tight around her shoulders and paced before the hearth, waiting for another half hour before Mr. Cavanaugh and Mrs. Sutton entered.
    “I beg you forgive us for our tardiness,” David said to Penny at once. “I do not think it could be avoided under the circumstances.” He strode past her to warm himself by the fire.
    “We have just come from a short visit with Madam,” the companion explained to Penny in a whisper.
    “I quite understand, Mrs. Sutton.” Penny thought highly of her discretion.
    “Who would have thought Madam could remain alert for such a period of time?” Mrs. Sutton had clearly been surprised with her charge’s capacity to remain alert. “I knew the length of our stay would interfere with the start of our meal. I fear it might have caused you some inconvenience if someone did not inform you.”
    “And Mr. Cavanaugh did not think to take such action, did he?” Penny remarked rather sharply.
    “I do not know when he would have had time, for he was completely occupied with his grandmother. I hope he does not mind that I sent word to you.”
    “No, I do not believe he would.” Penny sighed with a bit of exasperation. “Men can sometimes be thoughtless. However, I understand that his concern over his grandmother is all-consuming. Have no fear, Mrs. Sutton, his oversight is easily forgiven.”
    “Shall we proceed to the dining room?” Without a single word of apology, or explanation, David offered Penny his arm, which she took. The man really had no idea, and it seemed he did not care a fig, what occupied the women in his company.
    They entered the dining room a few minutes later. Penny walked with him along one length of the table, set with a fine damask tablecloth, a variety of crystal stemware, and a white dinner service. Mrs. Sutton traveled down the opposite side, passing a mahogany sideboard with a large mirror hanging on the wall.
    “And how is your grandmother?” Penny stopped while he continued to the head of the table.
    “Much improved since we first saw her this afternoon.” David took his seat with Mrs. Sutton to his left and Penny to his right.