Read Connie (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 3) for Free Online Page B

well in any company, and deeply resented persons of rank, and as for increasing his income, you all know how tightly he tied his purse-strings and kept us on a tight rein, and all the while supporting this Barnett woman and her son in luxury.”
    “He left us very good dowries, however,” Connie said. “ That was generous.”
    “Yes, and it puzzles me exceedingly,” her mother replied. “Whenever I enquired of him how much he planned to give each of you, he would say only, ‘Let us see how far their faces alone will get them. Then we might see.’ So I never expected him to give you anything, frankly. As a rule, he saved his generosity for his base-born child. But I do not think even your father could have expected his by-blow to try to claim the Hall. That is beyond everything. I should have liked to see that boy in court, so that the law might have dealt with him as he deserved.”
    “I am sorry to disappoint you, Mama,” Belle said with a smile. “Had Mr Burford known your wishes, I am sure he would never have paid Jack Barnett to drop his claim.”
    “Well, I am very glad he did,” Connie said. “I feel much more comfortable knowing that we need never have anything to do with him again. I am sorry it cost Burford twenty thousand pounds, but I daresay he will scarce notice the loss, for he is as rich as Croesus.”
    They turned into the hotel’s yard at that moment, and all conversation was at an end.
    ~~~~~
    The sisters were late in arriving at the ball, for a sudden downpour of sleety rain meant that sedan chairs were in short supply, and they had to wait. Then there was only one available, which would have to run backwards and forwards to convey them all to the Assembly Rooms, and it was no simple matter to arrange the journey in such a way that all the Miss Allamonts were properly chaperoned at both ends of the journey. It was fortunate that Amy was now married and able to chaperon them, or they could not have managed.
    So it came about that the Assembly Rooms were full to overflowing when they arrived, and they had to wait to be announced, with more people forming a snaking queue on the stairs behind them. At last it was their turn, their names were pronounced, and they made their way down the short flight of steps to the dance floor.
    Connie always loved this moment. The floor was filled with movement and colour and shimmering silk, sparkling jewels at every throat and feathers in the dowagers’ turbans. Faces flushed with the exertion of the dance beamed with happiness. Who would not be happy at a ball, and especially so at this moment, the entrance, with the whole evening stretching out like a rug at her feet. She was so light-footed as she skipped down the steps, it was almost as if she were dancing already, the music sweeping her up and propelling her forward.
    But tonight it did nothing of the sort. They had barely reached the bottom of the steps when they were accosted by Cousin Vivienne, wearing the most exquisite gown Connie had ever seen. She had not realised that modistes in Manchester had such talents. She was so busy admiring the embroidery and delicate seed-pearl designs that she almost missed Belle’s gasp of horror.
    She could not, however, miss her outraged cry of, “Oh no! What is he doing here?”
    “Who?” Connie said, but she had only to follow Belle’s eyes to see the cause of her distress. A young man paused beside the master of ceremonies waiting his turn to be announced. His appearance was undistinguished and his attire gave the impression that he wished to be fashionable, and had perhaps paid a great deal to attempt it, but had not quite mastered the art. His coat was not quite the correct fit, the stockings were an odd colour and the ribbons on his shoes were tied in a most peculiar manner. As for his cravat, Connie had never seen the like.
    “But who is he?” Connie whispered to Belle.
    “I can scarce believe my eyes! It is that Jack Barnett, strutting about in society