Read Around the River's Bend for Free Online

“I have a letter here from the man who owns the mortgage. I’ve missed several payments, and he’s threatening foreclosure.”
    A chill swept through Sabrina. “You mean we might lose this place?”
    Fairfax looked up quickly and formed his lips into a smile, although the rest of his face didn’t cooperate. Sabrina saw this, but he made the most of it. “I don’t want you worrying about this. It’s my problem. But I will ask you not to be spending any large sums of money until we get this straightened out.”
    Sabrina opened her lips to mention the cabriolet she had just agreed to buy but knew she could not worry her father when he was already burdened down. “Of course not, Father.” She hugged him and said, “We’ll get through this.”
    â€œOf course we will. When the Sabrina gets to America with that load of slaves, we’ll have cash in every pocket.”
    Sabrina was aware that her father was an optimistic man swayed by his moods. He could be as happy as a bird when things went well, but the next day he could be down deep in depression if he suffered a heavy loss at the gambling table. As she stood beside him, she realized suddenly that for all of his high family connections and the trappings of wealth he had inherited from his father, Roger Fairfax was a very unstable individual. He was basically a gambler at heart, not a businessman.
    Now Sabrina pushed those thoughts out of her mind, not wanting to be disloyal to her father. She hugged him again and kissed his cheek. “The Sabrina will make us rich,” she nodded with a laugh. “It can’t miss with a name like that, can it?”
    ****
    The sound of a carriage approaching startled Sabrina, who had been caught up in the novel she was reading about a man marooned on a desert island. The story intrigued her, for the man named Robinson Crusoe had to learn to do without the trappings of civilization, and lived by his wits and by the strength and skill of his hand. She found herself fascinated by the story, although she could not understand why. Certainly she herself had never had to live by her wits—nor by any sort of work at all.
    She rose from her chair and put down her book. When she reached the window, she stared out and saw a carriage she didn’t recognize. Caesar was holding the horse’s head and speaking to the man who got out.
    Sabrina watched as the man, a tall individual wearing a dark suit and tall black hat, ascended the stairs. She got one sight of his face and saw that he was a dark-complected, sober-looking individual, almost sour. “He doesn’t look like one of Father’s friends. He looks more like an undertaker than anything else.”
    Sabrina was accustomed to individuals coming to see her father and thought no more of it. She went back to her book, curled up on the couch, and soon was completely immersed in the adventures of Robinson Crusoe. She read for more than two hours, stopping once to send Cecily down to bring tea and crumpets up for a snack. Finally she grew sleepy and lay down on the couch, pulling a light coverlet over her. She dozed off almost at once but was soon awakened by an insistent knock on the doorframe. She sat up at once saying, “Come in, what is it?”
    She expected Cecily to come in, but instead it was Randell, the butler. “Miss, you must come at once!”
    Seeing the alarm on Randell’s face, Sabrina stood up in one fluid movement. “What is it, Randell?”
    â€œIt’s—it’s your father, miss. Something’s happened to him!”
    Sabrina, with a start, saw that Randell was frightened. “Is he ill?”
    â€œI think so, miss. Come quickly.”
    Sabrina flew out of the room and dashed down the stairs, followed by Randell. “He’s in the study,” Randell called out.
    Sabrina turned into the study, but for a moment she did not see her father. Then she caught sight