Karla Darcy - [Sweet Deception Regency 04] Read Online Free

Petersham retired. It pleased her when she returned from each ride to see Manji's baldhead glistening with sweat, his bristling moustaches framing a welcoming smile.
    "I've got to order some new jackets for you, Leslie," Jacko announced accusingly.
    Hunching her shoulders to hide her bosom, she grunted in embarrassed agreement. Leslie was all too aware that her body had grown, changing finally into womanhood.
    "You've got to face it, child. This deception can't go on much longer." Jacko came to the side of the bed.
    "I know," Leslie acknowledged sadly.
    Staring down at the disconsolate figure, Jacko felt anger at the girl's long-dead father. The Captain should have raised her up to be a proper young lady. Even now, Jacko found it hard to believe that no one guessed. But he watched her constantly. Each day he saw a softening and a rounding in a body that should be growing taller and more muscular.
    "I should never have listened to you five years ago," Jacko said. "You were a headstrong child, but I should have had more sense."
    "It wasn't your fault," Leslie said. "I chose to play the part of a boy. I was used to the role, for Father always let me run free."
    "I'm loath to speak ill of the Captain, but he shouldn't have done."
    "I know that now, Jacko, but at the time I thought I had no choice. With Pax as my guardian, I knew he couldn't take a fourteen-year-old girl into his household. He would have pushed me off onto someone else, or worse, sent me off to a seminary for young ladies."
    "I wish I'd known the Duke as I do now. I've come to respect the man, Leslie. I think if we'd explained the situation, he would have thought of some way you could have remained here."
    "Perhaps," she agreed hesitantly. "But I couldn't take the risk. I know it sounds stupid, but I thought I could live my whole life as a boy. I had hoped my body had finished changing. I didn't realize it would eventually betray me."
    "We'll have to leave soon, Daffadar." The gnomelike man shook his head for emphasis.
    "I know you're right, old friend. Just a little bit longer," she pleaded.
    "That's what you always say, Leslie."
    "This time I mean it. It's not the same here anymore."
    The old man searched the young girl's unhappy face. "Ever since the Duke returned from the wars, you've had a face like eight days of rain."
    "Oh, Jacko, I don't know what's the matter. I was so looking forward to Pax's homecoming. There were so many things to do." Leslie grimaced as she took another sip of hot chocolate. "Do you know that he hasn't once been fishing?" she accused. "Even after I told him about the trout I saw. It must have been twenty-five inches long."
    "There's other things than fishing for the Duke to think about."
    "It's all Cecily's fault." Leslie muttered sourly. "Why did he have to invite her to stay at Windhaven?"
    "Downstairs, the word is that he's planning to offer for her," Jacko said, watching the girl's eyes widen in horror.
    "You mean, marry her?" At her friend's answering nod, she screeched in disbelief, nearly upsetting the breakfast tray. "Pax can't be taken in by that simpering blond fashion-doll. Cecily Cleavon is all posing and innocence. But have you seen her eyes, Jacko? They're cold as ice. I swear to you she's counting the bloody silverware."
    "Leslie!" Jacko gasped. "I've told you a hundred times to watch your tongue."
    "Don't prose at me, you old reprobate. You've certainly gone all starchy in the last few years. Time was when you'd have said much the same about Cecily. And from your expression I can tell you don't like her above half either."
    "It doesn't matter whether I like Lady Cecily or not. She is not my concern. You are my concern," the manservant concluded reproachfully.
    "But she's ruining everything. Pax just pokes around the estate, playing host to Cecily and her mother. He might as well be back in London for all that I've seen him." Leslie flounced against the pillows as Jacko rescued the tray of dishes.
    "Since the Duke has