Belle (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

drapery and haberdashery of Mr and Mrs Wiseman, wherein might be purchased all manner of ribbons and threads and feathers and other delights.
    They greeted her with pleasure, and happily pulled out drawer after drawer to help her determine the best colours and sizes.
    “I will take these needles, and some pins, also,” Belle said. “I do not know how it is, but pins seem to vanish.”
    “We have these,” Mr Wiseman said. “Will these do? Or do you want the thinner variety, Miss Allamont?”
    “Some of each, I believe.”
    “Then I must look in the stores in the back room, for there are none here. Forgive me, Miss Allamont.” Bowing, he retreated from the little front room of their cottage, which was the full extent of the shop.
    “I will take the blue ribbon, and the yellow—” Belle began, but Mrs Wiseman for some unaccountable reason began bobbing curtsies. “Whatever is the matter?”
    “Beg pardon, Miss Allamont,” she said in a hurried whisper. “I hope you don’t mind my speaking to you like this but Mr Wiseman wouldn’t like it.”
    “Oh, in that case, I do not think—”
    “You see, the account hasn’t been paid.” Her hands flew to her mouth, as if to prevent herself from saying any more, but it was no use, for the words would not remain unsaid. “Not a penny have we had, not since your poor papa died, and the amount… it’s rather a large amount to us, you understand. We’ve had no meat for a month, except what my sister can spare.”
    “My dear Mrs Wiseman, do not distress yourself. I am sure this is an oversight. Did you send the reckoning at the usual time?”
    “Oh yes, Miss Allamont, directed to her ladyship. But I’m certain—”
    Mr Wiseman stood in the doorway, glowering at his wife. He forced an unconvincing smile as he bowed very low. “I beg you will excuse my wife’s unpardonable incivility, Miss Allamont. Pray forgive us for mentioning such a matter to you.”
    “Nonsense, Mr Wiseman. It is very bad in us to neglect to settle our accounts. I shall speak to Mama about it. Thank you, yes, those pins as well, and that will be everything for today, I believe.”
    In silence the Wisemans wrapped and tied with string and made an array of neat parcels.
    “Shall I have these delivered, Miss Allamont?”
    “No, I shall take them with me. But tell me, Mr Wiseman, am I to suppose that you are not alone in your unfortunate predicament? Is it the case that there are other tradesmen whose accounts remain unpaid?”
    There was a very long silence, while Mr Wiseman clearly wrestled with his conscience. But honesty compelled him. “I believe that is so, Miss Allamont. Mr Price, the farrier, is one such, and also Mr Turner, the carpenter. Mr Willow, also, from the general store.”
    “And Mrs Greenwood, who takes in the laundry,” his wife added.
    “Be so good as to tell them that I will take care of the matter as soon as I may,” Belle said, although she had no idea how that might be accomplished.
    For once, she took no notice of the beauties of the season as she walked home through the woods. Her mind was entirely occupied with puzzling over the matter. Her father’s income had been considerable, she knew that — she had heard three thousand pounds mentioned, and he was a man of such regularity of habit, who had kept the most meticulous records, that she could not believe that he had ever exceeded his income. That income should have continued to appear, and, in the absence of an acknowledged heir, her mother would have the full use of it. It followed, therefore, that lack of money was not the problem. They were far from destitute.
    It must have been an oversight on her mother’s part, she decided. Lady Sara had been away so much that perhaps bills had been forgotten about. She resolved to raise the matter with her mother at the earliest opportunity.
    As soon as she arrived at the Hall, her parcels were seized on with glee, and carried away in triumph to the drawing room to be