The Touch
A Novel
Chapter One
A Change of Fortune
"Your cousin Alexander has written
for a wife," said James Drummond,
looking up from a sheet of paper.
The summons to see her father in
the front parlor had fallen on
Elizabeth like a blow; such
formality meant a lecture for
transgression, followed by a
punishment appropriate for the
offense. Well, she knew what she
had done - over-salted this
morning's porridge - and knew too
what her punishment was bound
to be - to eat unsalted porridge
for the rest of the year. Father
was careful with his money, he'd
not spend it on a grain more salt
than he had to.
So, hands behind her back,
Elizabeth stood in front of the
shabby wing chair, her mouth
dropped open at this amazing
news.
"He asks for Jean, which is daft - does
he think time stands still?"
James brandished the letter
indignantly, then transferred his
gaze from it to this youngest
child, light from the window
pouring over her while he sat
concealed by shadows. "You're
made like any other female, so it
will have to be you."
... read full excerpt from: The Touch: A Novel ebook
