This is the second volume of The Wizard's Son trilogy. It can be found and downloaded at Gutenberg.org.The second volume is almost exclusively that of character development. Walter spends much of his time pursuing his old habits, but at a higher cost. Instead of winning or losing pennies and nickles, he loses pounds.
However, he does meet with some reputable people and becomes a part of the upper social class. He becomes involved with a woman, Katie Williamson, who is from his area of Scotland. Mr. Williamson, her father, likes Walter quite a bit, as does Katie. But, the two never do fall in love. Nevertheless, he is ready for a marriage, but their relationship is interrupted by Julie, a previous friendship. Julie wants him not because of love, either, but because of the wealth and prestige.
Mr. Williamson is vastly wealthy, owning a new and modern castle, a steam yacht (at that time probably the height of private technology). Mr. Williamson does not need wealth from the marriage, but rather aspires to have a title for his daughter. Due to Julie, however, that aspiration is unlikely to take place. She interfered at the only time that Walter might have made a bid for her hand in marriage.
Slowly he is growing stronger, mentally. He voluntarily reengages with the ghostly warlock and refuses to pander to the warlock's demands. However, he is emotionally distraught, as the warlock is able to pick him apart for a do-nothing. He wants to do the right things, but is thus far always negligent and lazy.
This trilogy is not what I had hoped it would be: that of a wizard hero. But, Oliphant is a skilled narrator and character developer. I don't know if, after having finished the trilogy, if I will go on to read more of her works. The 'weird/horror' is there, but it is not very strong or very weird. However, I hold out hope that volume three will be different.
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