The Last Heiress Read Free

would appreciate it if you would afford me the same courtesy.”
    His eyes grew round. “Go on.”
    â€œBecause we wouldn’t set sail before March, I plan to study the textile business until then, night and day if need be. I have a month to learn all about cotton so I can represent Dunn Mills adequately.”
    He laughed, pressing his fingertips to his eyelids. “I’ve spent thirty years learning the business. You think you can fill my shoes within thirty days? And a woman, no less.”
    â€œCertainly not. I’m not interested in producing garments or managing employees. I merely intend to determine what constitutes quality material and what does not. You and Mr. Pelton can run things here while I deal with those American factors.”
    â€œAmanda, my darling girl—”
    â€œMay I suggest you book my passage along with Helene’s for four weeks from now? If you’re not satisfied by then that I can represent you, I will accompany Mr. Pelton merely as a figurehead. After all, I am a woman as you pointed out. Would that be agreeable to you, Papa?” Stretching out her hand, Amanda held it steady while he laughed again at her.
    But when she held her ground, his expression changed from mirth to contemplation. “You won’t abandon us and marry some fast-talking trickster?”
    His question caught her off guard. “I will not, sir. I love you and Mama.”
    He slumped deeper into the pillows and closed his eyes, looking older than when she had entered his bedchamber. “You have a bargain, daughter. Report to Mr. Pelton tomorrow and begin your education.”
    â€œOh, thank you, Papa—” She stopped speaking when she realized he was falling asleep. Creeping quietly from his room, she ran smack into her mother.
    â€œAre you going to America?”
    â€œYou were listening?” Amanda asked in surprise.
    â€œOf course I was. You’re my only child now. What would I do without you?”
    Rely on a houseful of servants the way you always do? Amanda squashed the uncharitable thought and selected the logical reply. “You have another daughter, Mama. She resides in North Carolina.”
    â€œDo you think I’ve forgotten?” Her mother wrapped an armaround Amanda’s waist and led her toward the stairs. “That’s the reason I’m overjoyed you’ll make the trip.”
    â€œNot because hundreds of families depend on Dunn Mills to provide bread for their tables?”
    â€œThat is all well and good, but you must check on your sister. I may be a grandmama without my knowledge. And you must convince her to return to England.”
    Amanda laughed without amusement. “Do you think she would abandon her husband and come home after five years?”
    â€œYour father never thought much of the Henthornes. Perhaps Abigail has had enough frontier living and desires civilization again.”
    â€œThe coastal Carolinas are not the western territories. They live as civilized as we do.”
    â€œHow would you know that? And if that’s the case, Abigail can bring Jackson along. Your father needs someone in the family to run the mill after he’s gone.”
    â€œI doubt Papa considers the man who eloped with his little girl as part of the family.”
    â€œWe must put that behind us, considering….”
    Halfway down the grand staircase Amanda halted. “Considering what? Is there something you’re not telling me? I thought Papa had a mild case of influenza.”
    â€œYes, of course. But neither of us grows any younger. We need to prepare for the future.” Her mother patted her back. “Shall we read in the parlor for a while? I believe Joseph built a warm fire in there.”
    â€œNo, thank you. I intend to have the carriage brought around for a tour of Dunn Mills. There’s no time like the present to begin my schooling.”
    â€œSplendid! Take the rest of the day if you