Read The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) for Free Online

are pointless, Jackson. One never knows how the end result of one’s actions will play out. One does what one believes to be the proper course of action at the time and then moves on. Do I now think that it might have been a mistake?” Grandfather shrugged. “Possibly. But, as I said, I would probably do it again.”
    Jack struggled to keep his temper in check. He could not remember ever having to do so before, at least not with his family. Indeed, he considered himself every bit as even-tempered as he was rational. But then there was nothing the least bit rational about this evening.
    “At least you are willing to admit that you were wrong.” Anger sharpened Jack’s voice.
    “I admitted no such thing,” Grandfather said. “I simply allowed for the possibility that I might have made an error in judgment. One’s decisions are always easier to evaluate in hindsight. However, one’s perspective on life does change as one grows older.” He paused for a moment, then drew a deep breath. “I suspect I would be most irate to discover after thirty years that I had a son, or a father for that matter.”
    Jack stared at the elderly man. “Did you ever intend to tell me?”
    Grandfather met his gaze firmly. “I don’t know.”
    Again a knock sounded at the door and it opened without pause. Uncle Daniel popped his head in the door. “I hate to interrupt whatever is going on here but the rest of us are wondering if we’ve been abandoned. If there was some sort of crisis or worse.”
    “Definitely worse,” Lucy murmured.
    Daniel stepped into the library and surveyed the gathering. “From the looks on your faces, I’d say a crisis was fairly accurate.”
    Daniel Lockwood’s father had become a partner in the banking and trust some forty years ago. Jack had called him Uncle Daniel for as long as he could remember and he was as much a part of the family as if he was a blood relation. In many ways, Daniel had taken the place of Jack’s father for both Jack and his mother. He had long been Elizabeth’s escort for various social functions and it was obvious to everyone, except perhaps Elizabeth herself, that Daniel was in love with her. Jack had always wondered why they hadn’t married although the answer to that was now clear.
    Daniel nodded at Lucy. “You might want to join your parents. They’re getting restless.”
    “Yes, of course,” Lucy said, but made no move to leave.
    Daniel’s questioning gaze settled on Jack’s father. “Isn’t anyone going to introduce us?”
    “No,” Mother snapped, then sighed. “Yes, well I suppose someone should.”
    Jack drew a deep breath. “Uncle Daniel, this is Colonel Basil Channing.”
    “Channing?” Daniel’s brow arched upward. “Are you related to Elizabeth’s late husband?”
    His father nodded. “One could say that.”
    “Oh, my,” Lucy said under her breath, her gaze shifting between Jack’s mother and Daniel. “The plot does thicken now.”
    Mother slanted her a scathing look.
    “Elizabeth?” Daniel said. “Wasn’t your late husband’s name Basil?”
    “Yes, well . . .” Mother wrung her hands together and straightened her shoulders. “He’s not quite as late as one had hoped.”
    “Thank you, Elizabeth,” Father said and took a sip of his brandy.
    “Daniel.” Jack met the older man’s gaze. “This is my father.”
    “Your father?” Shock followed by realization washed across Daniel’s face. “And your husband? ”
    Mother winced. “I’m afraid so.”
    Daniel studied the Englishman. “Not dead then?”
    Father chuckled. “Not yet.”
    “I see.” Daniel nodded slowly. “That explains quite a lot.”
    “Brandy, Mr. Lockwood?” Lucy headed for the brandy decanter without waiting for a response. Grandfather joined her, poured two glasses, and handed them to Lucy. She promptly crossed the room and gave one to Daniel.
    “Thank you,” Daniel said absently and tossed back half the glass.
    “The poor man’s had quite a shock, you