Read Online The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

mistake very nearly from the start. But Bernadette had thought it better to let her daughters think their father was dead rather than know he had abandoned them.
    Basil had been his twin’s champion through the years and had argued repeatedly with Bernadette about allowing Nigel to return home. Nigel had pled his own case in frequent letters but Bernadette was unyielding. While to some she might have seemed overly stubborn, Basil knew his brother’s actions had hurt her deeply. So Basil had become his sister-in-law’s confidant and close friend and had fulfilled the role of father for the girls when he was in England. But his restless nature had kept him seeking travel and adventure and he was gone more than he was present. Basil never would have admitted it even to Bernadette but it was often difficult to see the life and family his brother had freely forsaken, the life Basil would never have. The life he could have had if only . . . Basil firmly thrust the thought aside. It was pointless to dwell on the past and what might have been. His brother had been a fool but then, in many ways, so had Basil.
    It was only this past Christmas that Nigel had at last found the courage to come home in spite of his wife’s objections. As it happened, she was waiting for him to do so. After twenty years apart they had found one another again. Bernadette had, if not completely forgiven her husband, at least been willing to overlook his transgressions and move forward. After all, twenty years was a long time. Not as long as thirty . . .
    “I do wish you would tell us what this is all about.” Annoyance sounded in Bernadette’s voice. “We do have a ball to return to, you know.”
    “Of course, I know,” Basil snapped, then drew a calming breath. “This isn’t easy, Bernadette. I’m trying to think of the right way to say this.”
    “Just say it.” His sister-in-law glared. Patience had never been one of Bernadette’s virtues. “The more you dissemble, the more the rest of us think this is something truly dreadful.”
    “It’s not dreadful,” Basil said staunchly. “In many ways it’s something of a miracle.”
    “Go on then.” Nigel’s brow furrowed with concern and he studied his brother. “Out with it, Basil.”
    “Very well.” Basil paused to pull his words together. This was every bit as difficult as he had thought it would be. “It’s a long story but I shall try to make it short.”
    “Too late,” Beryl murmured.
    Basil braced himself. “A very long time ago, I met a lovely young woman, the daughter of an American banker.” He chose his words with care. “We fancied ourselves in love and did what young people in love often do . . .”
    Bernadette’s jaw clenched with impatience. “Do get on with it, Basil.”
    He ignored her. “We eloped.”
    A collective gasp washed around the room.
    “Her parents were appalled and convinced the marriage was a terrible mistake. They convinced us of that as well.”
    Nigel stared, shock and disbelief in his eyes. “You never told me any of this.”
    “It was not something I was particularly proud of.” Basil’s voice was sharper than he intended. He had always regretted letting Elizabeth go. Now it seemed it was the biggest mistake of his life. “At any rate, she returned to America and was to have the marriage annulled. Her father would see to that.”
    Beryl studied her uncle closely. “ Was to have the marriage annulled?”
    “Yes, well, that’s apparently difficult to do if the bride is with child.” Basil shook his head. “I only recently learned about this.”
    Camille’s eyes widened. “Then you’re still married?”
    “And you have a child?” Shock rang in Delilah’s voice.
    “Basil,” Nigel said in a hard tone and met his brother’s gaze. “What exactly are you trying to tell us?”
    “I’m trying to tell you I have a son.” Basil drew a deep breath. “I’m trying to tell you there is a new heir to Millworth Manor. And he’s