Read Online A Deceptive Homecoming by Anna Loan-Wilsey - Free Book Online Page A

escapades, working for Mrs. Mayhew, traveling all over, and of course all about the dead—” Mrs. Curbow grimaced as she realized what she’d been about to say. “What I mean to say is . . . I bet you’ve seen more marvels than there are on the midway at the World’s Fair.”
    â€œI don’t know about that, but you’re right. Life has not been dull for me since I left home. It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Curbow, though I do wish it had been under happier circumstances.” The old housekeeper nodded.
    â€œYes, it’s a shock about poor Mr. Hayward.”
    â€œHow’s Virginia taking it?”
    Mrs. Curbow furrowed her brow and pressed a finger to her pinched lips. “I’ve been more mixed up than an egg in a meringue, but Miss Hayward . . . not quite as I would’ve suspected,” she said finally.
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?”
    â€œHattie,” Virginia, the topic of our concern, said as she entered the room. Despite the slight frown on her face, unlike me, she appeared well rested. “You may go, Mrs. Curbow.” She waited for the housekeeper to leave. “I’d thought you’d gone back to Newport.”
    â€œNo, not yet.” Concern clouded Ginny’s countenance. “It’s one of the reasons why I called.”
    â€œReally? What is it now? Did you remember another mark on my father’s face that’s no longer there?” I was taken aback by the spitefulness of her words.
    â€œNo,” I said, almost whispering.
    I’d never heard Ginny speak to anyone this way. Was it the death of her father or my transgression at his funeral that caused her to speak to me with such malice? I didn’t know. Either way, I swallowed hard several times before getting up the courage to speak again.
    â€œMrs. Chaplin and the new president’s wife have arranged a ‘lake party’ in my honor for today. I thought it inappropriate to attend it this soon after the funeral, so I wanted your advice.”
    â€œOh!” Ginny closed her eyes and sighed. She opened them again and stared at me. She opened her mouth slightly as if she were about to say something, but she didn’t. Instead, she began twiddling with her locket.
    Did she write the anonymous note? I suddenly wondered. We took shorthand class together all those years ago. And there was a shorthand dictionary on the table. But if so, why not simply ask me for my help?
    Without another word, she walked to the parlor door and opened it. I followed her, knowing when I’m being dismissed. “Father would have wanted you to go to the lake, Hattie.” I nodded. “Thank you for calling and your consideration of my feelings.” The coldness in her voice belied her words.
    â€œCan I do anything to help, Ginny? Anything?” I placed my hand on her arm as she held the door open. If she’d written the note, I couldn’t leave without giving her one last opportunity to ask for my help. I had to know that I’d done everything I could to bring her some peace. But she flinched when I touched her and I had my answer. I pulled my hand away.
    â€œGood-bye, Hattie.”
    â€œGood-bye, Virginia.” She winced at my use of her full name and yet she said nothing.
    I stepped through the door but couldn’t resist a quick glance over my shoulder. She was already turning away. It broke my heart to see her filled with such sorrow and not be able to bring her some respite. But why did she look so relieved?

C HAPTER 9
    I was in no mood to be merry after returning from Ginny’s house. Yet when the surrey arrived for me, the gaiety of the three girls crammed in the back seat was infectious. All between sixteen and twenty, the students each wore a broad smile, rouge on their cheeks, and by the plethora of feathers, flowers, and ribbons, their best hats. Before I had a chance to arrange myself properly next to the driver, one of the girls