Amy (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 1) Read Free Page B

must not be forced to marry a man she dislikes.”
    “But then what is to become of us?” Hope wailed. “If Amy will not like any of her suitors, we shall all die old maids, and think what a dreadful spectacle we will make. The whole world will laugh at us.”
    “You are too pessimistic,” Belle said. “Have you any more names for us, Grace?”
    “Only Mr Ambleside, but…”
    “That is no good,” Dulcie said. “He was quite in love with Connie when last he was in the neighbourhood. He would have offered for her, too, only Papa sent him away.”
    The girls sat in silence for a moment, mourning Connie’s lost opportunity. But there was never a prospect that Papa would have allowed her to marry before her older sisters, and so Mr Ambleside had given up hope and gone away, leaving his house empty.
    “He has been gone for almost two years,” Amy said. “Why should he come back now? Not for me!”
    “No, perhaps not, but he will come,” Dulcie said. “As soon as he knows that Papa is dead, he will come back, I am sure of it. He will come back for Connie.”
    “Then I hope he is a patient man,” Belle said crisply. “Connie must wait her turn.”
    “I do not want him, I am sure,” Connie said, pouting. “He is so old! Amy is welcome to him, for she is nearer his age. They would get along very well, I think. She has more patience than I for gout and dyspepsia and all those things that afflict old men.”
    “He is not old,” Amy said, trying not to laugh. “And I am quite sure he does not have gout. He is perfectly healthy.”
    “Then you will not mind being married to him, I daresay,” Connie said.
    Amy refused to answer that. “You are being ridiculous, Connie,” she said, blushing. “If ever… No, the idea is too silly for words.”
    “True, for I daresay he has never even thought of you,” Grace said bracingly. “But if ever he returns to the county, we will work on him. I am sure we can turn his head in your direction. Is there anyone I have forgotten?”
    But none of them could think of another name. It was a very short list. Amy lay awake for a long time that night, thinking about the names on it, but mostly she thought of Mr Ambleside, and wondered if he would indeed rush home to pay court to Connie.
    ~~~~~
    Amy was with her mother in the book room when Cousin Henry was shown in, the first to pay his condolences.
    The late Mr Allamont’s cousin owned a modest estate to the west of Brinchester. It was several hours by road from Willowbye to Allamont Hall, but no more than an hour across the fields, so Mr Henry Allamont arrived on horseback. He was a sensible man, but he had made some unlucky choices in his life. His first wife had died bringing their daughter into the world, and his second had presented him with three sons and then taken herself back to her native France to live.
    Amy was very glad to see Cousin Henry, who had seldom visited in recent years. The two branches of the family had been close at one time, and the cousins had even lived at Allamont Hall for a while after a fire had damaged Willowbye, but Amy’s father had never quite approved of them and gradually intimacy had been lost. Mary had continued to visit and had even shared their lessons for several years, but even that arrangement had lapsed.
    It was unfortunate, but no doubt Papa had had his reasons. Now, perhaps, the cousins could become frequent callers again. Amy had no great affection for the boys, who tended to wildness, but she would be very glad to see more of Mary, and Cousin Henry too.
    “Well, Sara, this is a sad business,” Cousin Henry said, taking her proffered hand rather formally. “But what are you doing in William’s book room? I should have thought the morning room more congenial for you at this hour.”
    “It is Amy’s Greek recitation, you know. All the girls take their turn to learn a piece and recite from memory. William liked to correct their errors.”
    “Oh.” Cousin Henry cast his eyes