The House of the Solitary Maggot

About this book

The people of Prince s Crossing called him the old maggot. Not just because he was despicably rich nor because he owned all their farms or sired the wild young men who tore up the roads with their galloping horses it was because they could not pronounce the word magnate which Mr. Skegg assuredly was. Lady Bythewaite his common-law wife had a devouring love that filled her entire existence but never affected her iron will and the implacable destiny that led from it. Only Clarence of the three sons could claim the Skegg name and at the first opportunity he ran off to New York to change it. When he came back it was with a new name silent picture fame and a deadly vengeance to act out. Owen Hawkins was the acknowledged son who lived with Lady Bythewaite. A delicate lad his world included each of his family with a devotion that was frightening. Aiken Cusworth was the bastard. A great hulking horse-tamer with the smell of the fields and animals on him he had a single bent that yanked man and beast to the line of his terrible whim. Together they lived in the house of the solitary maggot.