Yield Not To Misfortune (The Underwood Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

by now that Adeline is determined to celebrate my fortieth birthday with a huge party?”
    Underwood was aware of, and dreading, the event, so he merely nodded.
    “She wrote to invite him to attend, not unnaturally, since it is due to him that I’m here to see my fortieth year.”
    “You received no word from him?” hazarded Underwood, “And you wish me to find him for you?”
    “On the contrary, we had a reply and know exactly where he is,” said Jeremy, “That’s the problem.”
    “Don’t keep me in suspense,” said Underwood, mildly irritated, “Where do I come in to all this?”
    “The missive came from his younger, and only, sister. She confided that Petch had been accused of stealing a valuable diamond necklace from their Great Aunt, was found guilty and transported, and now resides in Australia, where he is fully expected to remain for at least fourteen years – that’s if he survives that long.”
    “Good God!” exclaimed Underwood, astounded at this twist in the tale, as tragic as it was unexpected, “Either you were vastly mistaken in him, my friend, or there has been a terrible miscarriage of justice.”
    For the first time Jeremy James smiled, relieved that Underwood had seen to the root of the problem without his having to employ his most persuasive tactics, “I’m not mistaken, Underwood. Petch is the best man in the world. He would no more steal than cut off his own hand. I need you to prove his innocence and gain a reprieve for him. Are you with me?”
    Underwood needed no second bidding. His fondness for Jeremy James was strong but his sympathy for a man so shabbily repaid for service to his country and his fellow man called out to a sense of what was right within him which he could not ignore.
    “I’m with you, my friend. Give me the address of young Miss Petch and leave the rest to me. If Rutherford is an innocent man then we’ll just have to find a way to prove it.”
    The Major thrust out his hand to shake Underwood’s, “I knew I could rely on you. But will Verity approve? Adeline will flay me alive if I upset her dearest friend.”
    “You may safely leave Verity to me. She has as strong a belief in justice as I have myself. She will not see an innocent man suffer.”
    As he released his friend’s hand, Underwood looked at his palm with distaste, “Really, Thornycroft, honey and butter! I swear Horatia is a more mannerly eater than you are.”
    “Sorry, old fellow,” grinned the Major, able now to laugh again, secure in the knowledge that Underwood was on the case and would not rest until Rutherford Petch was on a ship bound for England.
     
    *

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    “Odi Profanum Vulgus et Arceo” – I stand aloof from the common herd
     
     
    To Underwood’s surprise, Verity was rather less understanding that he had assumed she would be when he informed her of his proposed visit to see Miss Cressida Petch in West Wimpleford in the County of Shropshire.
    “Oh, Underwood, you do make me cross sometimes!” she said testily, amply demonstrating her annoyance by the use of his surname, which she only used when speaking of him to others, or when he had particularly irritated her. She knew he actively disliked his Christian name of Cadmus, so she never used it in company, though personally she thought it rather charming and failed to understand his aversion. He was not much fonder of Horatio, which begged the question as to why he had inflicted it on his daughter – but apparently he did like the female form of the name, or so he claimed. Verity suspected he had just wished his daughter to carry at least one of his names – for if she ever married, or course the Underwood would be gone forever.
    “I?” he asked incredulously, “What have I done, pray? One of our dearest friends has requested my aid in a matter which means a great deal to him and I have acquiesced – how can that possibly discommode you, my dear Verity?”
    She waved her hand imperiously, dismissing his