Free A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller Page A

chickens.” Amanda patted her head. “And why are you staring at my hair? Does it need to be brushed and refashioned?”
    “Quite the contrary. There’s not a strand out of place.” Fanny cupped her chin in her hand. “Tell me what you’ve planned for your future. I’m interested to hear about the work you’re thinking about.”
    “Nothing is laid out just yet. Mother has agreed she’ll talk to some of her friends who are involved in several of her charitable causes. Of course everything will hinge on what Father says. He’s permitted Mother to have her freedom working with her ladies’ aid groups and the like, but now that I’ve returned from my grand tour, he seems determined I should wed.” Amanda shivered. “And most of the men he’s suggested are either simpletons or bores.”
    “Likely sons of his wealthy business associates,” Fanny said. “Did you tell him of your dream to perform charitable work?”
    “Yes, but he says there’s plenty of time for that after I wed. He pointed to Mother as a prime example, saying she’s been involved in more good works than most unmarried women.”
    “Have you ever considered the fact that your mother is more suited to Uncle Quincy than to your father?”
    Amanda jolted upright in her chair. “ What? No. I can’t even imagine such a thing!”
    “Well, it’s true. They both believe in giving of their time and money to aid those less fortunate, while your father is interested only in his business success and accumulating a vast fortune. He disdains those of lesser social position and wealth. He never exhibited love for my father, and he holds Uncle Quincy in low esteem. I think the reason he permits your mother to perform her charity work is because he can take credit for her good works. His name is automatically attached to the many hours she devotes to working with the underprivileged.”
    Amanda frowned. “You make him sound simply dreadful. He can be caustic, but he is esteemed in the community. And he donates money to charity,” she defended.
    “I suppose I was a bit harsh, but I’ve given you points that could bolster your argument. Explain that your good works would bring additional prestige to the family name, but that prestige would go to your husband if you were to wed—along with a sizable dowry, I’d venture. If all else fails, you could insist you’d prefer college over wedding plans.”
    Amanda sighed. “I do wish Father would put forth as much effort finding wives for Jefferson and George. After all, they’re older than I.”
    “But they act like young hooligans, what with their silly pranks and constant teasing. It seems they’ve become even more immature since they’ve been away at college. I would think your father would tire of their unruly behavior.”
    Amanda shrugged. “He hears little of their antics. He’s gone most of the time, and Mother says she doesn’t want to upset him with such trivial matters. She insists he has more important issues weighing on his mind.”
    “When Mrs. Donaldson discovers your brothers are the ones who have frightened her young sons by donning sheets and pretending to be ghosts, I doubt she’ll consider their behavior trivial.”
    “Are you certain my brothers were involved?”
    Fanny bobbed her head. “I heard them talking with some of their friends after the funeral service the other day. They’re planning a return to the Donaldsons’ tomorrow evening. All of them think it’s great sport scaring those little fellows. I wish we could think of some way to turn the tables on them.”
    Amanda tapped her chin. “With a little thought, perhaps we can.”

    “Fanny! Wake up! I’ve come up with a plan.” Sunlight poured through the east window of Amanda’s second-floor bedroom.
    Fanny rubbed her eyes and sat up on the edge of the bed.
    “Plan for what?”
    “My brothers. How we can even the score for the Donaldson children.” Amanda waved her forward. “Come and look.”
    Fanny shoved