Read Straw in the Wind for Free Online

write to him.’
    â€˜That’s because my secretary usually does it for me. Do get on with it, Oscar, else we’ll be here all day.’
    Finch waited until the scratch of Oscar’s pencil paused, then said, ‘My Lord, esteemed uncle, there is a matter I wish to pursue which concerns one of my house staff, Sara Finn . . .’
    Oscar said, ‘How do you spell pursue, sir? Is it an
e
or a
u
?’
    Finch sighed. The letter was going to take a long time.

Three
London
    T he premises were situated not far from the precincts of the Temple.
    Adam Chapman. Private Detection Agency
. The gold lettering stood out against its dark-green background of fresh paint over the door. It announced Adam’s profession with authority as well as discretion.
    On one side of the agency stood a jeweller’s establishment. The premises on the other side provided accessories for gentlemen, such as hats and gloves, cigar cases, snuff boxes, and the like. Both were well patronized.
    Positioned across the road, Adam gave the woman beside him a faintly self-conscious smile. ‘What do you think, Celia?’
    His sister smiled. ‘I think it’s perfect, exactly what you deserve. I’m so pleased you left the esquire off, despite mother’s insistence. She’s invited Edgar Wyvern over to dinner again on Saturday. They get on remarkably well, I think.’
    â€˜I’ve noticed. Would you mind if something came of it?’
    â€˜Not if it makes mother happy. You know how much she loves entertaining. Edgar has asked her to act as his hostess next month. I believe he intends to introduce her to his colleagues and their wives.’
    â€˜I think Edgar is just what our mother needs, but that aside,’ and Adam smiled at his sister as he brought her back to the matter at hand. ‘You know, there will be much more accounting than you’re used to doing now we are an agency. I’m going to hire a clerk to work under your direction.’
    â€˜Dearest Adam, you can have no idea how much I’m looking forward to getting out of the house, being useful and having the opportunity to earn my own salary. Now mamma has made her own circle of friends at Chiswick and is in demand, she no longer needs me. And thank goodness she’s stopped trying to find a husband for me. Having a spinster daughter on her hands is an embarrassment to her, I think.’
    He took her hand in his and squeezed it in silent sympathy. ‘Marriage for the sake of convenience would never work for either of us. You’re only a couple of years older than me, Celia, and I’m certain you’ll meet the perfect man before too long.’
    â€˜Is there such a thing as a perfect man? I would be quite contented with an imperfect one if he was the right one. What about you, Adam?’
    â€˜I haven’t met her yet, but if I had—’
    â€˜She would be a mixture of the sisters, Charlotte Hardy and Marianne Thornton.’
    â€˜Two clever and lively women who adore their husbands and children.’ He smiled at the thought. ‘What more could a man want?’
    â€˜Beauty perhaps,’ she said a little wistfully.
    His sister was of average height and slightly angular. Her hair fell midway between light and dark brown and was straight, whereas he’d inherited curls. Eyes as grey as his own shone with intelligence, her fair skin was without blemish, and her mouth and nose were well shaped.
    Celia had her own quiet elegance, but her shy manner tended to make her fade into the background. She’d be a wonderful wife for any man who’d take the trouble to win her heart.
    â€˜The Honeyman sisters certainly have that,’ and he said it with so much enthusiasm that Celia laughed.
    â€˜Oh dear, Adam. I do hope you’re not smitten with either of them.’
    â€˜Only in an openly admiring way. It wouldn’t do me much good if I were seriously smitten, since they’re happily