A Simple Deception

XI

Mrs Denham's cheeks flushed with pride. "Thank you, Susanna. Did you enjoy your own time in London?" she asked with slight hesitance, her eyes briefly flicking towards Cecily.

"Moments of it," murmured Susanna honestly.

Mrs Denham frowned sadly. "Well, I am certain the village is happy to have you home. There is always next year."

Susanna shuddered to even think of enduring another season.

The conversation turned to Grace and the girls for a little while as they enjoyed tea, sandwiches and sweets. Susanna enjoyed the distraction for a little while.

"Oh, did you hear the news?" Mrs Denham suddenly asked.

"No, what news?" inquired Cecily.

"Apparently there was a man in the village yesterday asking about space for a horse charming performance," Mrs Denham reported animatedly. "It is an act, I believe, like a circus act. Performed by a savage, or so I am told. He was struggling to find accommodations as the inn in Hexham wouldn't rent them rooms. They are setting up a camp by the church."

Susanna eyes widened and her breath hitched at the news. Certainly not. Surely it could not be them. But it was too much of a coincidence for it not to be true. And why else would the inn in the neighbouring parish of Hexham refuse a paying customer save for the colour of his skin?

"Oh, I think we are familiar with those performers, Mrs Denham. I believe they were established in London only a few weeks ago," replied Cecily distastefully. "The charmer's horse nearly killed Susanna."

"What?" gasped Grace.

"Mama," protested Susanna. "The poor beast was spooked by something. It was an accident, and no harm was done." A smile tugged at her lips. She couldn't help but feel quite excited for the first time since returning to Ashwood. He was coming here. If that was not a sign from God, then Susanna did not know what was. "Mr Whitfield, the horse charmer, saved my life, Mrs Denham," Susanna added. "Perhaps, if they cannot find accommodations to take them, then they ought to stay here."

Susanna watched as the colour physically drained from her mother's face as the idea startled her so. Thankfully, it was not her mother's decision. She did not wait for Cecily's response for she had already run out of the drawing room in the direction of her brother's study.

***

The village of Ashwood was small, as were the minds of its inhabitants, Alex thought bitterly. Though, he supposed that was not fair. As there was no inn in Ashwood, there was no innkeeper to refuse him entry. In innkeeper in Hexham, however, had balked at the very notion of Alex stepping foot inside his establishment.

Len had managed to procure land from the church for them to pitch their tents and unload their cart, and this was where they would be staying as they had not managed to secure any other accommodations in the interim.

"That bloody vicar is a tough man to bargain with," muttered Len bitterly as he sorted through one of his bags.

There were not many public spaces for their show, and the church owned the large green beside it. Alex had found that most clergymen believed his work with horses to be something resembling witchcraft. A small percentage of their profits would allow them to forget any of their moral objections.

"We really needed those rooms," Len continued grumpily. "I don't like the townsfolk seeing you before any of the performances. It ruins the illusion if they see you dressed like a white man."

"I am dressed like a person, Len," Alex snarked, "which is what I am."

Len rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. At least we are in the right place. The Ashwood estate is a few miles from here, and as soon as we get the word out that you are here, I am certain our Little Miss will find you." Len all but rubbed his hands together with glee.

It had been a fortnight since Alex had made the decision to go along with Len's plans one last time, and he had been wracked with guilt for every minute of it. But the guilt had not altered his decision. All he had to do was keep reminding himself that Susanna would survive this, and his mother would not.

But something else had happened during these past two weeks. Alex had missed Susanna. Despite everything he planned to do, he was damned well excited to see her again. And that was the most wicked part of it all.

"Excuse me."

The flap of their tent was lifted, and a finely dressed gentleman stood by the entrance, peering inside with curious eyes. At first glance, Alex could see he was wealthy, landed, perhaps even titled. His buttons seemed to be made of gold, or at least fine brass.

He was a tall man with a lean physique, and neatly kept dark hair. He was not old, in fact Alex would have wagered that the man was a similar age to himself.

"We've got the permission of the good reverend to be here, sir," Len immediately said defensively. "My friend, here," he gestured to Alex, "is a God-fearing savage, you're not to worry."

Alex glared daggers at the back of Len's head. If Len started shouting at him in his made-up language just to carry on the ruse, then he would indeed start shouting back in French.

The man frowned as he stepped inside the tent cautiously. "Forgive my intrusion," he said, adjusting his top hat under his arm. "I have not come to ask you to leave. On the contrary." He looked to Alex, smiled, and extended his hand.

Alex nearly fell over.

"You must be Mr Whitfield, is that right?"

Alex did not think he had ever been greeted first in his life, certainly never before a white man. Furthermore, a gentleman was offering his own hand. Alex found himself reaching out, not quite believing it as his hand was shook firmly.

"Yes, my name is Alexander Whitfield, sir," Alex replied, though he had no control over his own shocked tongue.

"I am pleased to meet you," he replied, "and I find I am indebted to you."

"Indebted?" repeated Len, the taste of fortune on his mouth. Alex could hear the cogs in Len's greedy mind turning.

"Yes. Forgive me, I have not introduced myself. I believe you are acquainted with my sister, Lady Susanna Beresford."

Alex saw little to no resemblance between the siblings save for their tolerance. This man had shaken his hand without a second thought. But Alen then realised that he was standing before a duke, and so did Len.

"Your Grace," exclaimed Len, bowing his head.

Alex followed suit, truly meaning the mark of respect.

The duke smiled. "Please. I have only just learned of the service you rendered to my sister in London and I must thank you. Susanna has suggested a way in which I might clear my debt, and ... she can be quite persistent when she wants something."

----

Hope you enjoyed it! 

What's going to happen next, I wonder? I'll give you a hint, we are closer than you think to the first lot of "LAURA IS SO EVIL!" comments ;)

*sips my preferred beverage of reader tears* ahh, that hits the spot!

Alright, bed time - and that basically means I'm going to spend the next hour reading A Court of Mist and Fury. I'm still not into it, but I paid $16 for it so I'm going to finish it. I just hope it doesn't end on a cliffhanger so I don't have to buy the next one lol. I really just think it's not my genre as I know so many people love the series. Like, I like bits of it. Some characters are cool. But the story just drags. This book is 69 chapters long! You can get to the point a bit faster! I think I'm up to about Chapter 24 and the fact that I've still got 40 chapters to go kills me. 

Lol, anyway, vote and comment!