A Daughter's Inheritance Read Online Free PDF

their three children. Fanny hadn’t seen any of them since Christmas. “Are the children looking forward to the summer on Broadmoor Island?”
    Lydia silently waited for her husband’s response. “They enjoy their time at the island, but our plans remain indefinite.”
    “How is that possible? Nothing has changed.”
    Grayson looked at her as though she’d lost her senses.
    “ Grandfather? You do realize the gravity of his illness, do you not?”
    “Yes, of course, but that changes nothing. He still expects—”
    “It changes everything , dear Fanny. While the youngsters and one or two older members of the family enjoy summering on the island, the rest of us will be relieved and, dare I say, delighted to end that compulsory tradition.”
    Fanny’s jaw went slack. How could they find anything objectionable with that lovely island? She felt as though she’d been jabbed in the stomach by a sharp elbow.
    “Appears as though Victoria surrounded me with both beauty and youth this evening.” Fanny turned to see Mr. Snodgrass smiling down at her. The lanky old man towered above her; he looked to be at least six feet tall. Beatrice, one of Sophie’s older sisters, had been positioned on the other side of the banker. Though Fanny wouldn’t have described Beatrice as either young or beautiful, she couldn’t fault Mr. Snodgrass. Fanny didn’t consider herself pretty, either—young, but certainly not pretty.
    Fanny nodded and returned a smile. “Good evening, Mr. Snodgrass.” She leaned forward. “How are you, Beatrice?” Most of the time, Beatrice seemed to be either in pain or sad. Fanny couldn’t decide which it might be this evening. Even when Beatrice smiled, her lips drooped at the corners.
    “I’m well, thank you, Fanny. When did you return to Rochester?”
    “I’ve been home nearly two weeks now.” She scoured her thoughts for some tidbit that might keep the conversation flowing. “How is Miranda?”
    “Fine. She seems to think she’s all grown up; she was insulted that she wasn’t invited to the ball this evening.” Beatrice forced her drooping lips upward. “I explained that eight-year-olds aren’t considered adults, but she would hear none of that.”
    “I’m certain she’s looking forward to spending July and August at the island.”
    “Island?” Mr. Snodgrass pointed a bony finger at Fanny. “You mark my words: this country will have men in Cuba before the end of the year. With the newspapers pushing for intervention, Congress will follow suit. We’ll march onto that island, even if it’s not the intelligent thing to do. And you can quote me on that!” Everyone at the table was now staring at them.
    “We weren’t discussing Cuba, Mr. Snodgrass,” Fanny shouted. She disliked speaking so loudly, but she didn’t want the old man to misinterpret anything else she said.
    “Well, even if you weren’t, you should be. This country is going to find itself in a real mess. Folks need to wake up before we’re in the middle of someone else’s war. I say, let those Spaniards and Cubans fight it out for themselves.”
    Aunt Victoria nudged Uncle Jonas into action.
    “No talk of war or fighting at the dinner table, William.
    Victoria insists it ruins the digestion.”
    Wisps of white hair appeared to be waving at the guests as Mr. Snodgrass enthusiastically nodded. “The whole matter is more than I can digest, too, Jonas. That’s why I say we need to stay out of it. What do you young fellows say? You don’t want to see this country involved in war, do you? Why, you’d likely go over there and get yourselves killed.”
    Aunt Victoria visibly paled. From all appearances she was about to faint. Lydia signaled across the room, and one of the servants soon arrived with a cool cloth for Victoria. Mr. Snodgrass appeared not to notice, for he continued to solicit comments from several of the young men. If he received an answer that didn’t suit, he immediately shouted an angry rebuttal and