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

such a large increase suggests a speculative investment,” Belle said. “Perhaps the value may fall again just as quickly.”
    “Then we should call the banns as soon as Amy is at the church door. What say you, coz? For we should deal extremely well, you and I, with your practical nature and my easy-going charm.”
    “Your love of horses and my twenty thousand pounds, you mean,” Belle said, smiling. “You forget, I have known you all my life.”
    He had the good grace to look conscious. “Well, it is a consideration, coz, you must admit. Papa is not flush with money, and Willowbye takes a deal of looking after. But for all that, I do think we would be a good match. There is the Hall and the Allamont estate to take into account, too, for we should inherit the whole of it. You could do a lot worse, you know, coz.”
    “I do know it.”
    “What, you would truly consider it? You are not just teasing me? Amy would not even look at me.”
    “I would truly consider it. The prospect of dragging myself through balls and routs and interminable dinners, and simpering at stupid young men, just to prevail on one of them to condescend to marry me is not a prospect which appeals to me greatly. I have to marry, and soon enough that my sisters will get their turn before they are quite old maids, and why not you? I believe I could keep you in order, cousin.”
    His face was a comical mixture of shock and alarm, but he made a good attempt to recover. “I should be delighted to be kept in order by you, dear coz, that goes without saying.”
    Belle inclined her head in acknowledgement. “However, there is a small obstacle to this happy scheme, which I feel obliged to tell you of, lest you begin to think of the matter as quite settled. There is another claimant to the estate, and if his case is proved to the satisfaction of the law, then he will take precedence over you and I, even in the absence of Ernest and Frank.”
    She explained the whole to James, and he left her company deep in thought.
    “I wonder if I have just thrown away my best chance of finding a husband,” she said to Mary, as she was preparing to depart. “For the Hall was a big part of the attraction, I know.”
    “Then perhaps it is all for the best,” Mary said. “I am fond of my brother, but there is a wildness about him, a lack of good sense, which I would not care to inflict on so good a friend as you, Belle. You deserve better.”
    When all the callers except for Mr Ambleside had left, Belle went to the schoolroom to read some Greek. Her father’s strict regime of lessons had long ago lapsed, but the habit remained. Besides, she enjoyed Greek, and liked nothing better than to find the schoolroom empty so that she could stride about, book in hand, reading passages in strident tones.
    The room was not empty today. Miss Bellows sat quietly at a desk, writing. Their former governess had stayed on as companion and chaperon after their father’s death, but she seldom ventured into company. She jumped up when Belle entered, scattering pen and sander and paper.
    “I beg your pardon, I did not mean to startle you,” Belle said. “Let me help you collect your things— Oh!”
    “Thank you. Too kind. Much obliged.”
    “You are applying for another post,” Belle said. “I am so sorry, I did not mean to pry but the words just jumped out at me. I could not help but notice.”
    “It is quite all right, Belle. I should have told you soon, anyway. I have already given notice to Lady Sara.”
    “But why? We still need you, and value you as a friend. Are you not happy here? You have been here forever.”
    “Oh, I am very happy here, and if I had my way I should never leave. But I fear that I must.”
    “Why, has something happened? Whatever can be so terrible that it drives you away like this?”
    She set the writing things back on the desk, and twisted her hands nervously. “I do not wish to appear… I mean, you know I am not a complaining sort of person,