
Chapter One.
Chapter Two.
Chapter Three.
Chapter Four.
Chapter Five.
Chapter Six.
Chapter Seven.
Chapter Eight.
Chapter Nine.
Chapter Ten.
A frail patriarch lies on his grand four‑post bed, his breath shallow as he confides his final wishes to his trembling daughter, Kitty, and his loyal brother. He details the considerable fortune he built through banking, the house in Bedford Square, and the modest share left for his grandson, Claud. With heartfelt urgency he names his country‑squire uncle, Will, as sole executor, hoping the quiet man will shield his beloved daughter from the predatory eyes of society.
Will, a man of simple honesty, now bears the weight of a legacy that could attract countless fortune‑hunters. As Kitty mourns, the dying father warns of “drones and wasps” that will swarm the family once the will is proved, hinting at future struggles over marriage, inheritance, and loyalty. The stage is set for a delicate dance of duty, love, and the looming threat of greed that will test the bonds of this affluent Victorian household.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (559K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
Dec 1, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1831–1909
Best known for lively adventure stories, this Victorian writer also worked as a teacher, journalist, and editor before turning his energy to fiction. His books often mix action, curiosity, and a strong sense of place, which helped make him a popular author for younger readers.
View all books
by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn

by George Manville Fenn