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

and have been fortunate enough to have had the means to travel. All in the comfort we are accustomed to. I think one should know the world in its fullness, the good and the bad, before one attempts to create worlds of one’s own. But I know nothing of the real world and the real people in it. I know nothing of life.”
    “I thought we were real people,” Grace murmured.
    “Stuff and nonsense.” Father huffed. “Your grandmother knew nothing of life and yet she—”
    “ She ,” Grandmother said sternly, “had a mother who died when she was quite young and a father who gambled and drank away the family fortune and honor. A father prepared to sell his daughters to the highest bidders to finance his vices. She and her orphaned sisters lived in a country house that was barely held together by little more than prayer and hope. She knows what it’s like to have little to eat, no dowry, no prospects for improvement, and no future. I should think that would give me some sense of life beyond the privileged world we now inhabit.”
    “My apologies, Mother.” Father grimaced. “I had forgotten about all that.”
    Cam stared in surprise. This was a story he had never heard before, and judging from the looks on the faces of his siblings, neither had they.
    “It’s best forgotten, really.” Grandmother shrugged. “It was a very long time ago and most of my life has been quite lovely. But those early days taught me a great deal about life I never would have known otherwise.” She turned toward Cam. “Every experience, every new person you meet, every new situation you observe is all fuel, Cameron. Muses are notoriously hungry, but if you feed them they will shower you with inspiration.”
    “Thank you, Grandmother.”
    Father stared for a moment. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why, I wrote as a young man. Certainly, I never had anything published—”
    “They do say certain talents are known to skip a generation, dear,” Mother said pleasantly.
    “Regardless, I had no need for a muse.” Father snorted.
    “Which explains a great deal,” Grandmother said under her breath.
    “Thank you, Mother.”
    “Don’t take that tone with me, Jonathon. I am an old lady and I deserve respect if nothing else.” Grandmother pinned him with a firm gaze. “I’m not saying anything you don’t already know. Although I will say, your writing was better than your father’s poetry.” She shuddered. “Sentiment is not the same thing as good, although he did try, the dear man. And while you may have been a dreadful writer, you have been an excellent duke. The family is as sound as the Bank of England itself, thanks to your leadership, in terms of its finances and reputation. And I am extraordinarily proud of you.”
    Father’s mouth dropped open and a stunned look crossed his face. “I don’t think I have ever heard you say that before.”
    “Don’t be absurd, Jonathon.” She picked up her sherry. “I say it all the time.”
    “Well, that’s that then,” Mother said brightly, and started to rise, her sons getting to their feet as well. “I think we should all retire to the—”
    “Sit down all of you, I am not finished.” Father glared and they all sat back down. “I have yet to make my point.”
    “I thought he made any number of points,” Grace said in an aside to Simon beside her.
    “Exactly what I hoped to avoid.” Mother sighed. “Very well then, go on.”
    “I intend to,” Father said sharply, then turned to Cam. “Regardless of the fact that you are writing under a different name, this reporting of yours for that disreputable rag of a newspaper is scandalous and embarrassing and puts this family in the poorest of lights.” Father’s tone hardened. “You will resign your position at once.”
    Mother groaned. “Jonathon!”
    Cam braced himself. This was it then. “No, Father. I’m afraid I can’t—I won’t— do anything of the sort.” He shook his head. “I still