Surrender the Wind Read Online Free PDF

home and live with me until she weds.”
    A look of consternation rose on Stowefield's face. “Forgive me for saying so, but I think you may be uninformed on such delicate themes.”
    “In what way, sir?”
    “You expect her, a woman, to journey across the ocean alone? America would be unfamiliar to her now. She has lived in England for a long time.”
    “It would be her decision, of course.”
    “She’ll have wolves prowling at her door. Have you thought of that?”
    Seth shifted on his feet. He had an obligation to his sister, and he was fighting it.
    Partridge brought in the tray. Coffee, sliced apples coated with cinnamon and sugar, and baking powder biscuits with pats of bright yellow butter were upon it. She had used the best china and silver.
    When she left, Stowefield sipped his coffee. He looked at the black brew and licked his lips.
    “I say. This is the best coffee Partridge has ever concocted.” He glanced over at Seth and grinned. “No doubt it's for you and not for an old man like me.”
    Seth smiled at the compliment, but said nothing in reply. He, too, enjoyed the little repast she provided.
    “As I understand it, you’ve had no contact with your grandfather since the beginning of the war.” Stowefield picked up an apple slice between his fingers and tasted it. “He left our country with Caroline in seventy-six. Is that correct?”
    “Yes, that's right, she without our mother and too young to suffer a war.”
    Stowefield popped the rest of the apple slice into his mouth, chewed it, and washed it down with his coffee. “Benjamin remarried years ago. Did you know?”
    This new twist added sober surprise in Seth. “No, sir.”
    “Well he did, and at his advanced age. The woman was comely for her years, but poor, so this letter states. He married her out of loneliness, no doubt. New love is rare when one is old.” Stowefield set his cup on the table. “Beggars cannot be choosers.”
    Seth let out a short laugh.
    “I know what you’re thinking.” Stowefield winked. “How can I, an old man, say as much? Experience, I can tell you. Whether a wife be a titled lady or a milkmaid, it is she who makes a home out of four lonely walls.”
    Seth shrugged. “Some men prefer four walls that are his alone, no matter how dark or lonely. Marriage for some is bondage, for others freedom. I suppose my grandfather couldn’t do without it.”
    “She brought a son into the marriage by her first husband.” Stowefield, refilled his pipe, lit a match, and put it to the bowl. “I learned he's a man about your age.”
    This brought a rise of pain. To him, he and his father had been replaced. Seth clutched his fists hard, stood from the chair, and stepped over to the window.
    “That's not unusual. Why should it matter to me or to my inheritance?”
    “It's of no importance,” Stowefield replied. “Indeed, it's common. Your grandfather left his widow an annuity of one hundred pounds per year. More than generous for them to live comfortably on.”
    “Then why does there seem to be a problem?”
    “I’m afraid if you do not lay hold on your inheritance this gentleman might try to claim it for his own. He may leave your sister in a situation where she's forced to marry where she does not wish. I have no doubt Benjamin's stepson is hell bent on having his way if he craves more money, and things could be complicated, if not compromised.”
    “How would you know this, sir?”
    “My profession is the law, Mr. Braxton. My hobby is detection.” Stowefield squinted his eyes and tapped the side of his nose with his forefinger. “It is the wording of the letters that paint the picture. The story holds the keys to determining which course of action your grandfather's stepson would most likely take. Do you see?”
    “I think so.” Seth shifted on his feet. “Who are these letters from?”
    Stowefield settled back in his chair. “One is from Mr. Banes, your grandfather's lawyer. The other is from your sister,