The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress Read Online Free PDF Page B

seem to have something of a plan for your life in place. In truth I had feared this was yet another thing you would try your hand at and then abandon.”
    â€œI have at last found what I want to do with my life,” Cam said. “It is not a passing fancy.”
    Father nodded. “Am I to take from what you’ve said that you do not intend to pursue this journalistic endeavor forever?”
    â€œFor a while but not forever,” Cam said cautiously.
    â€œAnd then you intend to write books?”
    Cam nodded. “I do.”
    â€œAnd I shall be the first to purchase the first edition of your first book.” Thad studied him curiously. “Do you intend to be the next Charles Dickens then?”
    â€œAre you going to write about orphans and poverty and war with heroes or heroines who die tragically in the end?” Grace asked.
    â€œNo.” Cam shook his head. “If I have learned nothing else thus far, my eyes have been opened to the fact that the world is often a dire and dreadful place beyond the gates of Roxborough Hall or the walls of fine London houses. I think what people need in this world, and what I want to do, is give them a respite from their daily troubles. I didn’t know this when I began, but now I realize I want to write about the oddities and absurdities of life. I want to make people laugh or at least bring a smile to their faces, if only for as long as it takes to read a book. No, I do not intend to follow in the footsteps of Dickens, although I deeply admire his work.” He drew a deep breath. “I would much rather follow in the footsteps of Mark Twain.”
    â€œYou want to be a humorist?” Surprise sounded in Simon’s voice. “Although I should have known. I’ve always found you most amusing.”
    â€œMr. Twain’s humor is delightful, but he is American and we have such excellent English writers,” Grace said. “Some of them extremely amusing. Why, Shakespeare wrote a number of fine comedies.”
    â€œI don’t think he wishes to be Shakespeare, Grace,” Thad said with a smile.
    â€œI like him. Twain that is.” Spencer nodded. “A great deal, really.”
    â€œAs do I.” Father studied Cam for a long moment, a slight smile lifting the corners of his lips. “But then you knew that, didn’t you?”
    â€œWell, yes.” Cam distinctly recalled his father attending a banquet for the American during his visit to England when Cam was a boy.
    â€œYou do realize if you had confided in me as to your plans in the beginning, we could have avoided all this unpleasantness.”
    Cam shifted uneasily in his chair. “Possibly.”
    â€œI am still not happy with your position with the Messenger . If it were the Times perhaps but . . .” Father considered him for a long moment. “I shall make you a bargain, Cameron.” Father leaned toward him. “You want to write books, then write me a book. A book that proves to me this is indeed your future and not another lark you have embarked upon. I have been impressed with your writing thus far, but a brief article where the facts are laid out before you is a far cry from a work of fiction. Prove to me this is your passion. I shall give you, what?” He glanced at his mother. “A month?”
    â€œAt least two I would think.” Grandmother cast Cam an apologetic glance. “It doesn’t have to be long, you know.”
    â€œAnd if I can’t?” Cam asked.
    â€œIf you can’t, you resign your position at the Messenger .” Father’s smile was decidedly smug.
    â€œI see.” Cam thought for a moment. He had not yet tried to write a book. In truth, the very thought was daunting. Still, there was no reason why he couldn’t. And if he didn’t believe in himself, how could he expect anyone else, especially his father, to? “And when I do?”
    Father grinned. “ If you do, I shall