Free Belle (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 2) by Mary Kingswood

your mama — if any!” he ended, which brought a wan smile. “But there is happier news, I hear. Your dowries will be more than anticipated. I am very glad of it, for all your sakes.”
    “Yes, although it is very surprising that it should change so much in such a short time.”
    “Oh, these funds can be quite inconsistent from one year to the next. It is excellent news for you , since under the terms of your father’s will, you must be the next to marry. You will have a splendid time of it at the balls at the Assembly Rooms this winter, with a string of beaux. Or there is always James, you know. I would be tremendously happy to welcome you to Willowbye.”
    “And I to enter it,” she said.
    He was so startled that he could not find any response.
    She laughed. “That surprises you, I see.”
    “I rather thought the two of you did not get along,” he said. “Have you changed your mind?”
    “I thought that, too,” she said equably. “But seeing Amy and Mr Ambleside so happy together has made me realise that their love is founded on many years of friendship. It would be too easy, I believe, to be drawn to a handsome face and agreeable manners, and quickly find oneself married to a stranger. Better to choose the known quantity, it seems to me, and James has many good qualities which the acquisition of a wife will enhance.” Her smile softened her features. “And especially if the wife has a substantial dowry.”
    He was not sure he agreed with her philosophy, but if she was willing to consider James, he was not going to attempt to dissuade her. So he smiled, and said all that was proper.
    “But of course he will not want me unless he stands to inherit the house, will he?” She sighed. “It is all so uncertain. How much simpler it would have been if Ernest and Frank had not run away, for then the inheritance would be secure and we would not have all these difficulties to worry about.”
    “You would still have your father’s peculiar provisions for you girls,” he said. “And do not imagine that Ernest and Frank would automatically inherit. The will specifies the oldest surviving son. We do not know the date on which this Jack Barnett was born. It is entirely possible that he is older than Ernest and Frank, and would still have a claim.”

7: Sunday Evening
    The following Sunday evening, Belle was approached by Mr Burford as soon as he entered the room.
    “Good evening, Miss Belle!” he said cheerfully. “I hear that Harry Turner was successful in his mission. I am very glad of it, and I trust your worries are resolved now?”
    “Partially. The box contained…” She lowered her voice, for she did not wish to mention such large sums with the servants moving about the room. “Twelve hundred and forty five pounds, which is enough to settle most of the outstanding accounts, but not quite all. And another key, which again fits no lock I have yet discovered. Good evening to you, Miss Endercott. You are well, I trust?”
    “Quite well, thank you, and very glad of the use of your carriage this evening, for this cold wind is very bad for my brother’s constitution. He is not much prone to fevers or malaise in general, but these easterlies always bring on his cough.”
    “I recall how it troubled him three years ago, when he had no curate to help with the services.”
    “Yes, we are all of us very pleased to have Mr Burford here,” Miss Endercott said. “For many reasons, and not solely on account of Horace’s cough.”
    “We are indeed, and I more than most, just now,” Belle said. “In fact, I fear I may be obliged to accept your kind offer of further assistance, Mr Burford. Mr Turner has informed me that his father made several strong boxes for my father, so the one we have found is not the only one, it seems.”
    “This is excellent news, Miss Belle!” he responded. “Excellent! For it means that your father must have left a great deal of money about the house, somewhere. And you wish me to