Read Online Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati - Free Book Online Page A

clasped behind his
back. His lips pursed, he considered his daughter for a long minute, until
Elizabeth
began to grow
uncomfortable under his gaze.
    "This
cannot possibly surprise you,"
Elizabeth
said finally. "I have been honest with you from the beginning."
    "I
would like you to marry," her father said shortly. "It would be a
comfort to know you well provided for beyond my death."
    "I
have some money of my own,"
Elizabeth
said. "You know that. I will never want for basic necessities. And when
one day you are gone—I don't foresee that in the near future, but when that day
comes, then I hope that my brother will be of assistance to me. He will not
lack for material wealth."
    The
judge frowned. "You have more faith in your brother's ability to put his
past behind him than I do," he said. "If he manages to reform, you
may be right. But who knows what will happen? No, I would be remiss not to take
your prospects and your best interests into consideration, my dear. And there
is the matter of the land. The stewardship of this land is something I take
very seriously indeed."
    Elizabeth
hesitated. "I do hope that Julian will keep his promise to you and to
me," she said. "I think the repercussions of his actions are clear to
him, finally, and I hope that the lesson will stay learned. He is capable of
learning how best to manage the family holdings. He is certainly
interested."
    The
judge gave a short wheeze of impatience. "You cannot build your future on
your hopes for your brother. You need someone else to depend on, once I am
gone."
    "I
trust that I shall always be able to depend upon myself," said
Elizabeth
with what she
hoped was a disarming smile.
    The
judge walked up and down the room once, his hands crossed on his lower back.
"
Elizabeth
,
what kind of father would I be if I didn't make provision for you?" He
seemed to consider, and then strode to his desk. From his waistcoat pocket the
judge took a small key, and opening a drawer he took out a piece of paper.
Squinting a bit, he looked it over, and then he came to
Elizabeth
and put it in her hand.
    ""Deed
of Gift,""
Elizabeth
read aloud.
    The
judge was looking very satisfied with himself. "The original patent,"
he said. "All of it, which includes Hidden Wolf. A thousand acres, my
dear. For you. The rest of the property—another two thousand acres—is meant for
your brother, of course. One day, when he has proven himself. It has been my
life's work, and it is my primary concern to maintain the family holdings
together and in trust for my children, and generations to come.
    Confused,
Elizabeth
looked
up at her father, and then down at the document again.
    “. .
. said property and all leases and improvements upon it to the only use and
behoof of my said daughter Elizabeth Middleton, her heirs and assigns . . .”
    "But
why?"
Elizabeth
said. "Why now, and in this manner? This is surely highly unusual."
    "I
thought you would be pleased," the judge said, a little affronted.
    "Father,"
Elizabeth
began. "Please do not think me ungrateful. I simply don't understand what
would move you to do something like this."
    "It
is not so unusual," said the judge, "to want to see your property
well disposed of in the capable hands of trustworthy children."
    Elizabeth
wanted to take her father's words at their face value, to believe that she had
his trust. But he would not meet her eye, and he began to gnaw on the stem of
his pipe quite ferociously.
    "It
is unusual to pass valuable property into the hands of an unmarried
daughter," she said. "I could do with it as I please, after
all." Then she looked at the deed once again. A wave of understanding
washed through her and left her feeling hollow.
    "You
haven't signed it yet," she said. "And it isn't witnessed."
    The
judge rocked back on his heels. "I will sign it before witnesses on the
day you marry.
    Startled,
Elizabeth
rose
from her seat. "And whom do you have in mind for my husband?"
    "Richard
Todd," her father answered simply. "I thought