Free Connie (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 3) by Mary Kingswood

the matter. And he does not quite like to countermand her.”
    Connie said nothing, for it was not her place to criticise, but she could not help considering whether the virtues of amiability and malleability in a husband might not be outweighed by a little more firmness in the matter of dealing with troublesome relatives. Amy’s husband was a little too domineering, but perhaps Belle’s was a little too lacking in forthrightness. It was very difficult.
    “But there we are,” Belle went on, heaving a sigh. “None of us have a say in the family we happen to be born into. And sometimes,” she added, half to herself, “we think we have dealt quite successfully with a particularly troublesome individual, and there he is again, quite unwilling to vanish, as one might like.”
    “You are thinking of Jack Barnett,” Connie said.
    “Indeed I am. I will not deny, his appearance at the Assembly Rooms was most unsettling.”
    “It removed all the pleasure from the occasion,” Connie said heatedly.
    Belle smiled at her vehemence. “Not quite all , I hope. There must surely be compensations to someone who finds herself courted by two members of the nobility.”
    Connie flushed uncomfortably. “You mean, I suppose, the Marquess of Carrbridge and Lord Reginald, but you are quite mistaken, sister. They have both been very amiable, but I do not presume to regard their behaviour as courtship. They have shown no evidence of any attachment stronger than the friendship arising as a natural result of Amy’s intimacy with Lady Harriet.”
    “And what of you, Connie?” Belle said with an affectionate smile. “Either of them would be quite a conquest, and you are on the easiest of terms with both. A little attachment would be quite natural.”
    “Oh… well, I am not sure…” Connie lowered her head bashfully. “I do like them, I must confess. A little tendre, perhaps. The Marquess in particular — so handsome! And his brother is very amiable, too. If one of them should fall in love with me , then I should be quite happy… although I do not wish to rush into it, you know. There are a great many gentlemen in the world, and I should like to look around me a little before tumbling into matrimony. I was too hasty with Mr Ambleside, but now that I have realised my mistake, it will be better to take my time.”
    “I heartily approve of that ,” Belle said, adding gently, “And perhaps you should be especially cautious with the Marquess, since it seems to me unlikely that he would consider marrying anyone without a title. Nor is he in need of your fortune.”
    “Mr Drummond said the estate may be en… en…”
    “Encumbered? Even so, he will look for a wife from his own rank, and very likely his brother will too. I should not like you to be disappointed.”
    “I understand you, and I shall try very hard not to be in love with either of them if I can possibly help it,” Connie said, laughing.
    Belle laughed too. “I am pleased to hear it. In which case, perhaps you would like to come to London with us in the spring? We are to take a house with the Amblesides, and it needs only Mama’s approval to invite you, if you should wish to go. If you were on the point of a betrothal, of course, you would not want to be away from home, but otherwise, think how delightful it would be!”
    Connie agreed with this sentiment so whole-heartedly that she cried with joy for an hour at least, and even when she was finally persuaded to climb into the vast bed and the curtains were drawn, she could think of nothing else. Oh, the balls and parties and routs and entertainments that awaited her! And somewhere in London she was sure to meet the perfect man, handsome and charming and strong, full of adoration for her, and richer even than Ambleside or Burford.
    ~~~~~
    This happy plan fell to pieces within an hour of Connie’s return to Allamont Hall. Lady Sara had just that day returned from wherever it was that she had been to, but the visit had not