Read Lady Anne's Deception (The Changing Fortunes Series Book 4) for Free Online Page B

must
not
mourn—and he has left your papa a vast fortune. Just think! Marigold is a wealthy, wealthy heiress. You, too, my dear. But, of course, Marigold’s child will be the heir because, naturally, she will marry first.”
    “I might well marry before Marigold,” said Annie.
    “Oh, my dear, you are pinning your hopes on the wicked Jasper. Well, I am afraid we were all a bit silly about that. I telephoned that horrid Mrs. Burlington to tell her that Torrance was quite smitten with you, for it seemed as if he must be since he never entertains debutantes, and she said that Torrance had said at the Trevelyns’ ball that you were ‘an amusing little thing.’ Now, I ask you, is that what a man with any serious intentions would say about a girl? And, of course, with a beauty like Marigold around, it’s amazing that he noticed you
at all.
    “I didn’t believe her, and said so, but Mrs. Burlington said that Torrance had said that to Bertie Ffrench, so I telephoned Bertie Ffrench. He was maddeningly vague but said, ‘Oh, you mean the gel with the hair like a pillar box? Jasper did say something fatherly.’ So there! You will just need to look around for someone more your weight. I have not forgotten your punishment, so you may finish your lines while I escort Marigold to the Worthingtons’.”
    “Why can’t I go to the Worthingtons’?” asked Annie, in a bewildered voice. Her emotions were going up and down like a seesaw. There was so much to assimilate. Papa was very rich, which meant that she, as well as Marigold, must now be considered an heiress. The marquess had said that she was merely an “amusing little thing.” And she was not to go to the Worthingtons’.
    “Well, you see,” said Aunt Agatha, “it was a teensy bit foolish on my part. I was so concerned with finding a husband for Marigold that when Mrs. Worthington told me about the ball, well, I only mentioned Marigold, and it would be too pushing to take you along because it would upset the supper arrangement to have one more, and the Worthingtons are such sticklers. So you see. And you are being punished anyway.”
    “It’s just
not
fair,” said Annie, rebelliously.
    “On the contrary, it is very fair. Despite your appalling behavior, I allowed you the treat of a drive with Torrance, so you have had quite enough for one day. Now go to your room and don’t let me hear another word!”
    When Annie reached her room, she turned the key in the door. Marigold would no doubt be calling shortly to crow over her defeated sister.
    Annie paced up and down, up and down. In her mind’s eye, someone, not necessarily the marquess, would propose to Marigold at the Worthingtons’, and she would have to take second place again as she had done all of her young life.
    Annie’s very dull and sheltered upbringing had kept her very emotionally immature. First a nanny, and then a governess, who favored Marigold no matter what she did, had made her very bitter toward her sister. She burned with hurt and a desire for revenge. Somehow, she just
had
to get to that ball.
    The door handle turned, then stopped. “Let me in!” called Marigold.
    “Go away,” said Annie, furiously.
    “Oh, you silly cat. You’re just mad because I’m going and you’re not.”
    Annie took a deep breath, then said loudly and clearly, “Of course I am furious. I had hoped to be allowed to spend some time with my fiancé.”
    “
What!
”
    “You heard me.”
    “You can’t mean Torrance. Oh, it’s too stupid. You’re such a liar. I’m going to tell Auntie.”
    Marigold’s footsteps could be heard retreating rapidly down the corridor. Annie slowly went over and unlocked the door. She had just told one terrible lie. And, somehow, she knew all at once that she was going to go on telling it.
    Aunt Agatha opened the door and walked into the room. “Now, what’s all this tarradiddle, Annie?”
    “Send her away first,” said Annie grimly, pointing to Marigold, who was hovering in the