A Daughter's Inheritance Read Online Free PDF Page A

an embrace and then stepped back, her gaze traveling up and down the length of Fanny’s gown. “Your dress is lovely. You didn’t mention it when we were at the house.” She touched Fanny’s shoulder. “Turn around and permit me a view of the back.”
    Feeling somewhat foolish, Fanny completed a quick pirouette. Her appearance couldn’t begin to compare to that of Amanda. Though the attention was offered in kindness, the close scrutiny only caused Fanny further discomfort. Although Hazel had maintained it would take an explosion for even one hair to escape the nest of curls she’d created atop Fanny’s head, the hairpins had already begun to pop loose. The maid truly lacked a full understanding of Fanny’s unmanageable tresses. She forced a curl back into place and glanced about the room. “I haven’t seen Sophie. Has she arrived?”
    Amanda nodded toward a far corner. “Over there, surrounded by that flock of young men. No matter where she leads, they follow.”
    Moments later the group of men separated and Sophie walked toward them. The scene was somewhat akin to the parting of the Red Sea, Fanny decided. Amanda beckoned to their cousin and she approached, her entourage following close on her heels. When she stopped in front of her cousins, the young men clustered into a tight knot directly behind her. It seemed that each one longed to escort the vivacious young woman to the supper table.
    “All my friends are wondering who will sit next to me at dinner, but I’ve told them I had no say in the decision.” She batted her lashes at the assembled group standing behind her.
    Anticipation glazed their eyes as they awaited Sophie’s further attention. Amanda pointed her fan toward the distant doorway and then looked at the huddled group of bedazzled followers. “You may inquire of my mother if you desire.”
    None of them moved. It appeared as if the young admirers feared leaving Sophie for even a minute. And Sophie seemed to enjoy the suffocating attention. Before Fanny could contemplate the situation further, one of the servants announced dinner.
    Amanda looped arms with Fanny, and they followed Sophie’s formally attired devotees toward the massive dining room located on the third floor. The rooms were used only for large parties, and the servants were aided by the dumbwaiters in the dining hall. Otherwise they’d not survive such ordeals. Amanda giggled when they neared the doorway.
    “Each year the young men become increasingly smitten with our cousin.”
    “And with you, also. If you didn’t shoo them away, you’d have a large assemblage following you,” Fanny replied. While Sophie’s vivacious personality attracted the men, it was Amanda’s natural beauty that wooed them. Fanny decided it was Amanda’s regal deportment that set her apart, along with her perfect blond hair and striking features.
    They parted at the table in search of their place cards. This was yet another scheme Aunt Victoria utilized at her dinner parties. She insisted that her guests delight in the process of locating their assigned seats. “Utter chaos,” Fanny muttered while she circled the table in search of her name.
    “Over here, Fanny.” Lydia Broadmoor, Grayson’s wife, waved her forward. “You’re on the other side of Grayson.”
    Although Aunt Victoria enjoyed the unconventional method of requiring her guests to search for their place cards, she continued to insist upon a traditional male-female seating arrangement. Accordingly, Fanny knew she would be flanked by men. Sitting next to Amanda’s oldest brother wouldn’t have been Fanny’s
first choice, but at least he was a relative. After rounding the table, she glanced at the place card to her left. Mr. Snodgrass. So she would have Amanda’s older brother on one side and old Mr. Snodgrass, Uncle Jonas’s favorite banker, on the other. This would be a long dinner!
    She exchanged pleasantries with Grayson and Lydia and politely inquired after the health of