Belle (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 2) Read online

  “I do not like the Dower House,” he grumbled. “It will need a great deal of work to make it comfortable, I daresay.”

  “There is no rush,” Belle said. “We shall not be married before the spring, I imagine, unless Connie finds a husband in a great hurry.”

  He sighed, but there was no denying the logic of the arrangement. “Well, I suppose I must agree, since you are all so firmly set on the idea. I daresay it will work out well enough. I will have the solicitor draw up the papers. Will you stay for dinner? We keep country hours here, you know. It saves on candles.”

  “Thank you, but we must get back,” Belle said. “May I show Mr Burford your library as we leave?”

  “Your library, I suppose,” Henry said gloomily. “Off you go, then.”

  Belle and John walked side by side down the passageway to the great hall and into the library. Somehow, his hand found hers, and when she looked at him, she saw he was smiling at her, that intimate little smile she had come to know so well.

  “Do we have to rush back?” he said. “A good dinner here, and a second dinner at Allamont Hall this evening sounds like a splendid idea.”

  She laughed, but shook her head. “No, I wish to stop in Brinchester to see Mr Plumphett. Now that Amy is married, my dowry is available to me, and I wish to make arrangements to settle with Jack Barnett.”

  “No need,” he said. “I hope you will not be angry, my love, but I took the liberty of settling with Mr Barnett some weeks ago, as soon as I had access to my inheritance.”

  She spun round to face him. “But why? Because of me?”

  “I did not want you to lose your dowry.”

  “But I do not need it now. You have money enough for both of us.”

  “That money is yours. I wanted you to keep it, and I wanted to get rid of Barnett as soon as possible. You are not angry with me?”

  “I think you should have told me at once.”

  “It was my intention to do so, but somehow whenever I am with you, all sense flies out of the window. I did not mean to be presumptuous or overbearing, my love. Can you forgive me?”

  She laughed. “You, overbearing? I should never have agreed to marry you if that were so. Now, here is the library.”

  As soon as they were inside the room, he pushed the door shut with his foot, and swept her into his arms for a long, warm kiss. “Ah, my sweet Belle. ‘Love but her, and love for ever’,” he murmured, as they broke apart.

  She smiled up at him in total contentment. “That poem has a great deal to answer for,” she said, laughing.

  “Indeed, for it showed me what was in my heart, dearest Belle. Without it, perhaps I would never have realised how much I loved you, and then— Oh! So many books!”

  He gazed about him in wonder.

  “Do you like it? Is it not wonderful?”

  “Yes, it is. Darling Belle, we shall have the most perfect life together, you, me and all these books. What could be more glorious?”

  She suspected he was quite right, but another kiss or two might be needed before she could be quite certain. She reached up and pulled him towards her, pressing her lips firmly on his.

  THE END

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  The next book in the series is Connie: The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 3. Buy.

  You can read a sample of Connie after the acknowledgements.

  Thanks for reading!

  If you have enjoyed reading this book, please consider writing a review on Amazon, Goodreads or wherever you hang out online, to help others decide if they would like it. You can find out the latest news and sign up for the mailing list at http://marykingswood.co.uk. If you’d like to know more about the Allamont family and their friends, watch out for the next book in the series, Connie: The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 3. Buy.

  A note on historical accuracy: I have endeavoured to stay true to the spirit of Regency times, and have avoided taking too many liberties or imposing modern sensibilities on my characters. The book is not one of historical record, but I’ve tried to make it reasonably accurate. However, the poem by Rabbie Burns which plays such an important part in the story, while written some years before the period of the book, may or may not have been published in book form at that time, I haven’t been able to find out. I trust my readers will forgive this possible lapse in authenticity. If you spot any other historical error, I’d very much appreciate knowing about it so that I can correct it and learn from it. Thank you!

  A note on Ae Fond Kiss: If you want to read more of the poems of Robert Burns, they are widely available in print or ebook form, or may be read for free online. Many are also songs, and Ae Fond Kiss is best enjoyed in musical form. There are numerous renditions online, but my favourite is this one by Karen Matheson.

  About The Daughters of Allamont Hall: a series of six traditional Regency romances, featuring the unmarried daughters of Mr William and Lady Sara Allamont. When their father dies unexpectedly, his will includes generous dowries for the sisters, but only on condition that they marry in the proper order, the eldest first.

  Book 1: Amy

  Book 2: Belle

  Book 3: Connie

  Book 4: Dulcie

  Book 5: Grace

  Book 6: Hope

  Any questions about the series? Email me - I’d love to hear from you!

  About the author

  I write traditional Regency romances under the pen name Mary Kingswood, and epic fantasy as Pauline M Ross. I live in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland with my husband. I like chocolate, whisky, my Kindle, massed pipe bands, long leisurely lunches, chocolate, going places in my campervan, eating pizza in Italy, summer nights that never get dark, wood fires in winter, chocolate, the view from the study window looking out over the Moray Firth and the Black Isle to the mountains beyond. And chocolate. I dislike driving on motorways, cooking, shopping, hospitals.

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks go to:

  My grandparents, Henry and Hannah Austin, who named their four children Amy, Constance, Ernest and Frank, and thereby inadvertently inspired these books

  Shayne Rutherford of Darkmoon Graphics for the cover design

  My good friends at AC (you know who you are!) who provided me with advice and support, encouragement and kicks up the backside, hand-holding and hugs, laughs and tears, woo chickens, tacos and tubesteak

  Beta readers: Marina Finlayson, Antonia Frost, Jen Rasmussen

  Last, but definitely not least, my first reader: Amy Ross.

  Sneak preview: Connie - Chapter 1: A Ball Is Announced

  Connie was the last to step from the coach, shaking out her skirts. The Allamont travelling coach was capacious, but with five young ladies squeezed into it, she was sadly crushed. She stood for a moment, looking up at front facade of Staynlaw House. It was a handsome building of red stone, very modern and well-proportioned, and the interior fitted with every comfort. Not for the Amblesides the inconvenience of narrow stairs or rooms too dark to work in or a kitchen that produced meat half burnt or half raw, depending on which way the wind was blowing. How strange to think that she might have been mistress of it by now instead of her sister, if she had chosen differently.

  There was Amy rushing down the steps, arms wide, to embrace her sisters, the ribbons of her cap flying. That was strange, too, to see Amy in her new gown and cap, a married woman, the first of the six daughters of Allamont Hall to enter matrimony.

  Behind her, with his warm smile, stood Mr Ambleside. Connie’s heart performed a little somersault at the sight of him. Only a few months ago, she had been quite sure she was desperately in love with him, and he, being an honourable man, had felt obliged to offer for her. She had quickly realised her mistake, and he had returned to Amy, his true love. Connie had no regrets, but in many ways Mr Ambleside remained her ideal of a gentleman — handsome and personable, and with a good independent fortune, which is always an advantage in a man. A little domineering, perhaps, but
love tempered that facet of his character. If he had been just a few years younger, and had a title, his array of good qualities would have been complete, and perhaps she would have been tempted to hold on to him.

  “Connie, dear!” Amy said, wrapping her in a sisterly embrace, then breaking away to gaze into her face. “How are you? You look a little pale.”

  “I am perfectly well, I assure you, but we have been having a giddy time of it lately, with so many parties. I daresay I am a little tired. But let us not talk of me! We are here to congratulate the bride on her return. Welcome home, Mrs Ambleside.”

  Amy blushed prettily, and Ambleside came to shake Connie’s hand. “Welcome to Staynlaw House, Miss Connie.” Then he tucked Amy’s arm into his, and the bridal pair led the way into their home.

  There were refreshments laid out, for the visitors were expected, but there was far too much news to impart for anyone to have the leisure to eat.

  “Belle is betrothed!” Grace burst out, almost before they were properly seated. “She is to marry Mr Burford in the spring.”

  This news was no surprise. Amy jumped up to hug her sister. “Oh, Belle, I wish you so much joy! May you be as happy as I am.”

  Ambleside shook Belle’s hand warmly, his smile brighter than ever. “Congratulations, Miss Allamont. Burford is a good man, and will take excellent care of you.”

  Miss Allamont. That was so like Ambleside, always exquisitely correct with titles. Now that Amy was married, Belle was Miss Allamont for a few months, and then it would be Connie’s turn for the title, until she herself was married. And when would that be? If only she could be fortunate enough to find another Ambleside.

  Belle blushed, but accepted the congratulations calmly. As she took her seat again, Amy glanced across at Hope, then quickly looked away again, but nothing was said. Poor Hope! She had been in love with Mr Burford for an age, and he with her, but then something had happened, although Connie was not very sure what, and now Belle and Mr Burford were quite in love.

  “And you will never guess where they are to live,” Grace said. “I was never so surprised in my life.”

  Mr and Mrs Ambleside agreed that they could not guess.

  “Willowbye!” Grace burst out. “Cousin Henry is all to pieces, it seems, and so he is to move into the Dower House, and Belle and Mr Burford will rent Willowbye.”

  “Willowbye!” Amy said. “Surely Cousin Henry will not like to leave his home.”

  “Indeed he did not want to at all, but now that James is married to Alice Whittle and there is no hope of him bringing home an heiress with a large fortune, there is nothing else to be done. They must economise, or be ruined.”

  “I am sorry to hear that Mr Henry Allamont finds himself in difficulties with money,” Ambleside said. “Sorry, but not surprised. There was always an air of economy about the place, and the house left to fend for itself rather. Renting to Burford is a good solution, Miss Allamont, for then you will not be so far away from us.”

  “So now you know our news, you may tell us all about your tour of the lake country,” Connie said. “Was it very beautiful?”

  “It was very wet,” Ambleside said indignantly. “Wetter than any self-respecting place ought to be. I see now why there are so many lakes there, for it never stops raining. Next time my wife and I travel for pleasure, we will go south, I swear it. Brighton is very civilised, so everyone says. We shall promenade beside the sea, and ogle the monstrous Pavilion, and perhaps, if we are very lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the royal personage.”

  “Next time we will travel in the summer,” Amy said with an affectionate smile. “I cannot imagine what we were thinking to be going anywhere at this time of year. We were lucky not to be snowed up for the whole month. But come, sisters, let me show you the morning room, for Mr Ambleside arranged for it to be redone while we were away, as a surprise.”

  “Amy will want a pleasant room to sit in while she sews, and it was a little dark before,” Ambleside said, walking down the hall ahead of them and throwing open the door. “There! Is that not a very pretty room now? The new sofas came from Bristol and the wallpaper from London. The writing desk was made by a man I found in Brinchester. The rug is the original, however, for there is plenty of wear in it yet.”

  They all admired the new fittings, although Connie thought the wallpaper too heavily decorated for a lady’s room. Then there was some new china, a wedding gift, to be seen and the spot on the wall where Amy’s portrait would hang, once a painter had been engaged. As they wandered from room to room, Connie found Ambleside next to her.

  “Have you forgiven me for my ill-treatment of you?” he said, with his heart-stopping smile.

  “It is all long-forgotten.”

  “You were always the most generous of creatures — after my dear wife, of course.”

  “Of course,” she readily agreed. “Amy is so sweet and gentle that she deserves her happiness.”

  “She is happy, I believe,” he said eagerly. “She tells me so, and gives every appearance of it.”

  “Every appearance of it? My dear Ambleside, she is aglow with joy, anyone might see that. Marriage suits her admirably.”

  He beamed with pleasure. “I am delighted to hear you say so. But what of you? Now that Miss Allamont’s future is settled, it is your turn to look for a husband.”

  She winced. “I know, but I shall take my time in choosing. I must marry, I suppose, to fulfil the terms of Papa’s will, but there is no urgency now that…” She stopped, unwilling to mention Hope by name.

  Ambleside had no such scruples. “Now that Miss Hope has no suitor waiting, you mean? How has she taken the loss of Burford to Miss Allamont? She seems a little subdued to me, not her usual self.”

  “She is a little down-hearted, although she tries very hard not to show it.”

  “I am sorry for it,” he said. “Perhaps a change of scene would improve her spirits? I will suggest to Mrs Ambleside that she invite her to stay with us for a while.”

  “Oh, how kind you are!” Connie said. “But will Amy want to share your attention with a guest just yet?”

  He laughed. “My wife is used to being one of six, Miss Connie, and no matter how fond of me she might be, there is no substitute for female companionship.”

  Before they left Staynlaw House at the end of the morning, a firm arrangement was made for Hope to make a longer stay, if her mama approved.

  “Shall you come and see us soon, Amy?” Connie said, as they waited for the coach to be brought round. “The Hall is not the same without you.”

  “I shall come when I can,” she said, “but there is a great deal to do here, and many people will wish to pay wedding calls. I cannot be gadding about as much as I used to. But we shall meet at dinners a great deal, and at the Assembly Rooms.”

  “But the next ball is an age away,” Hope said. “You have just missed one. Oh, why did you not come home sooner?”

  Amy just laughed, but Ambleside said, “The next ball is not so far away, Miss Hope, for we plan to have one here just as soon as it can be managed.”

  There was no time to elaborate on the idea, but the prospect of a private ball was so delightful that the discussion of it lasted them all the way back to Allamont Hall, and through the evening, and was not exhausted in several days of delightful anticipation.

  ~~~~~

  Despite her protestations, it was not long before Amy visited her sisters to discuss all those small but fascinating details for the ball. The guest list was the first important point of debate.

  “We must consider Connie now,” Grace said. “We need to have as many eligible gentlemen as may be found. Those two brothers from High Frickham, for instance.”

  “That is no good,” Belle said. “At this time of year, only the local families will be prepared to drive in the evening, and then only if the weather is clear.”

  “But all our acquaintance in the immediate neighbourhood are elderly or married or infirm,” Dulcie said. “Or all three.
”

  “That is not quite true,” Grace said. “Mr Ambleside is taken, and Mr Wills is betrothed now, but Sir Osborne Hardy is still available, and what could be better than a baronet of independent fortune?”

  Connie pulled a face. “I should not like to share a house with his mother. Lady Hardy is such a tyrant, and Sir Osborne is not quite appealing enough to compensate.”

  “Well, I do not know who else there is,” Grace said. “Only Mr Drummond, who has not two pennies to his name, and Mr George Graham, who is quite wild and not at all the thing. You do not want him.”

  “There is Cousin Mark, although he is still at Oxford,” Dulcie said. “And you would inherit the Hall, if you could put up with him. He is not so bad as James.

  Connie pulled a face, but then she giggled. “What about the Marquess of Carrbridge? A title and a fortune! If his features are above passable, I would marry him at once!”

  The others groaned. “He may be the Dowager Countess’s great nephew and heir, but he has never in his life been to visit her,” Belle said.

  “But Amy is intimate with his sister,” Grace said, clapping her hands in glee. “Invite Lady Harriet, Amy, and tell her to bring her brother with her.”

  “Well, I shall do so, but I do not suppose he will come,” Amy said. “If he does not come for his great-aunt, he is hardly likely to come for me. However, Harriet may come, and I should dearly like to see her again.”

  “That is agreed, then,” Grace said. “And for the rest, you may invite whomever you please, for they can be of no interest to Connie.”

  ~~~~~

  The day of the ball arrived. The sisters and their mother were to stay overnight at Staynlaw House, so they travelled in the morning, the two coaches proceeding in stately convoy over the rutted roads. Grace and Dulcie were in the carriage with Lady Sara, while Connie was in the lumbering old travelling coach with Belle and the maids. Hope was already at Staynlaw House, having been staying there for more than a week.