Free The Masked Heart (Sweet Deception Regency #2) by Karla Darcy Page B

Aunt Haydie's appearance. So far the house servants had kept the secret of Lady Yates death in order to protect Fleur and Val. But would a further deception help or merely add to their difficulties?
    "How's Cousin Lavinia?" Val asked as they paused in the woods to rest the horses.
    "Poorly," Blaine answered automatically.
    "You say that every time I ask," the boy said, a furrow ruffling the smooth surface of his forehead. "You know, Blaine, you should try to convince her to come here with you on your holiday. I'm sure that the fresh air would do wonders for the old girl's constitution."
    Blaine tried not to smile at the gravity of her brother's remarks. "I am sure it would, Val. The problem is that she is really not well enough to travel such a great distance."
    "Oh," the boy said wistfully. "I just thought if she could come for a visit you would be able to stay longer. It is such a treat having you at home. Fleur is much too nice to go tramping around the woods. All she does is moan and groan that she will get dirty."
    It saddened Blaine to realize what a muddle she had made of things. Val was clearly lonely and she ached that she was forced to neglect him so much.
    "Have you any companions to go round about with?" she asked.
    "Not so many any more." He shrugged philosophically, in a gesture far too old for his tender years. At Blaine's questioning look, he continued. "I used to play with some of the tenants' children. Now that I've been able to take over some of the estate affairs, it has become different. It is very difficult to come around inspecting and that sort of thing if the tenants treat me like a baby."
    Blaine wanted to hug him for the hurt confusion she heard in his voice. Since the death of the estate manager Higgins, she had taken over the running of the estate. In the last year or two she had been turning some of the responsibility over to Val so that he would be prepared to handle it when he came of age. She could understand that once he began to show some authority, his relationship with the tenants was bound to change.
    "Perhaps it is time that you met other boys in the neighborhood," she said. By the apprehensive look on his face, she realized that he too was well aware of the gossip. "Never fear, halfling. I have heard what is being said and I think I may have a solution. Come along back to the house and I shall tell you of my plan. Besides it is still much too cold for Fatima's dainty constitution to be abroad on such a frosty morning."
    Val giggled and lay along the fat pony's neck to stroke her velvety ears. "You must not let her hear you talk so, Blaine, or the dear old thing will bolt back to the stable."
    "Bolt? It would be more like a slow waddle."
    She laughed happily, turning her horse's head to lead the way. In quiet harmony they cooled down and groomed the animals. After a quick wash they met again in the library where Blaine told him of her proposal to masquerade as Aunt Haydie for the benefit of the callers. When she finished she asked if he would be able to handle one more secret.
    "Of course, I can, Blaine," he declared staunchly. "After all, it should be no additional strain to have Aunt Haydie return to life since I have not been clapjawed about her death."
    Blaine smiled in remembrance of the boy's words as Tate helped her dress for the reappearance of Lady Yates. The sour face of the old lady indicated her disapproval for this additional impersonation.
    "Think of it as a dress rehearsal, Tate," Blaine said. She turned in front of the cheval glass. "You've done a fine job with everything."
    "No need to turn me up sweet," the dresser snapped. "I know my job and would never turn you out less than perfect. I cannot like this whole idea and Frau Puffentraub is in agreement. Fleur slumguzzled you if you ask me, which knowing you, I know you won't. You shouldn't give in to the child."
    "I'm not really giving in. I just think it might help to allay the talk in the neighborhood. I should have