Songs of the Shenandoah Read Online Free PDF

potatoes. “The Lowerys wanted in the game, had cash in their fists, but they needed someone with dirt in his boots and I was their man. Quite fortunate, I must say. Happened to be standing there.” He swallowed the forkful of potatoes and then lifted a turkey leg to his mouth.
    Caitlin beamed at her brother. “So what did they do? Buy you more shovels?”
    â€œHydraulic mining.” They all turned in surprise to see the answer had come from Muriel.
    Davin shook his turkey leg at her and grinned. “Well done, Doctor.” He took another bite.
    â€œWhat . . . is—?” Caitlin laughed, almost as if to break the sudden tension.
    â€œThey use large water cannons to clear out whole mountains to get to the gold.” Muriel’s gaze locked on to Davin with the focus a predator would give prey. “Did they chase you out?”
    â€œNot hardly.” Davin narrowed his eyes at her, then he smiled. “Although we did get most of the gold in California. Which is what brings me here.” He rested the half-eaten leg on the plate and picked up the fork again. “And I am sorry, dear sister, for my delay in arriving tonight, but I had to console poor Tristan. I owed that to him.”
    Andrew lifted a pitcher of water off of the table and filled a glass and handed it Davin. “I wasn’t aware of any suffering with the Lowerys. Has there been a death?”
    Clare knew of Andrew’s distaste for the family, one of the wealthiest in all of Manhattan. Was there a touch of envy in her husband for their rise to prominence at the same time the Royce’s were descending from theirs?
    â€œWorse.” Davin took a large gulp from the glass and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “We moved nearly all of our investments out of gold and into cotton several months ago, apparently with ill timing.”
    â€œOnly to hear now that South Carolina has pulled out of the Union.” Andrew sat back down next to Clare.
    â€œMr. Lincoln is going to set all of that straight,” Caitlin said.
    Clare took it upon herself to avert a conversation of politics on such a day as this. “Well, all I can say is it is an answer to our deepest prayers that you are all here and safe and we are together again. Despite these worrying days.” She looked to Seamus and Ashlyn. “And you, of course, must know you are most welcome to stay here as long as you want until you have a chance to settle down.”
    Seamus’s expression sank. He gazed at Ashlyn. “We’ll be here in the city for just a few more days.”
    Clare’s stomach roiled. What other bitter surprises would these evening hold? “What is this?”
    Seamus spoke with tones of apology. “It was our intention to tarry a wee bit here in New York. But. With the way the news is shaping, we’d best be moving before things get thicker.”
    â€œWhere to?” Caitlin’s voice wavered.
    Seamus folded his hands and leaned forward. “Ashlyn learned word a few months back that her uncle had passed on, which means her father’s Whittington farm has returned to her name. Our name.”
    Ashlyn’s face beamed. “It’s quite lovely. In the Shenandoah Valley. It’s very good farmland.”
    â€œVirginia?” Caitlin said the word with a hint of contempt. “A plantation?”
    â€œIt was . . . years back. But not now.” Seamus put his arm around his wife. “This dear lady has supported me through all of my mad pursuits. It’s an honor and blessing for me to return her and Grace home.” He held out a hand and wiggled his fingers. “Besides, I’m looking forward to using these soft hands again.”
    Clare tried to laugh but the news was still stinging. “My brother Seamus. Returning to farm life?”
    â€œNo potatoes.” Seamus turned to Ashlyn. “Right?”
    Ashlyn whispered, “No potatoes.”
    They sat there