01 The Runaway Heiress by Anne O'Brien

Author:Anne O'Brien
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781459229877
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Aldeborough mended his relationship with Matthew and Ambrose with ease: they simply ignored his previous edgy temper and continued as if nothing had happened. When he attempted an apology, Ambrose threatened to floor him with a straight left if he couldn't keep a civil tongue in his head in future, so the matter was settled. They rode the estate, enjoying the onset of a period of fine weather. They fished the trout stream, unsuccessfully, but with damp enthusiasm. They enjoyed some rough shooting at the Priory and on the neighbouring land owned by Ambrose's uncle. A local race at Kiplingcoates, over a four-mile course of lanes and bridleways, gave them the opportunity to assess local horseflesh and lose a considerable amount of money. The evenings were spent in playing cards for small sums in the library at the Priory. If a deal of alcohol was consumed, it was not sufficient to impair their enjoyment of country pursuits. Aldeborough was able to throw off his unusual depression although the purpose of the assault on the York road remained an irritant. But, as there was no repetition, the incident receded into the background. Enquiries in York, as might have been expected, revealed nothing.

For her part, Frances spent most of her time becoming reacquainted with the Priory. She remembered it, of course, from the days when Aldeborough had first brought her here, hut now she had the time and inclination to explore it fully. Originally, as its name indicated, it had been the settlement of Augustinian monks, but with its dissolution under Henry VIII it had come into the hands of the Lafford family. There were still remnants of the magnificent monastic buildings, neglected now and robbed of their stone—ruined arches, crumbling pillars, outlines of cloister and refectory, which Frances investigated with dreams of incorporating them into a pleasure garden. The main house was of Tudor design with gables and buttresses in golden local stone but with traces of old brickwork. More recent Laffords had added wings and fanciful towers so that to the eye it presented an impossible fusion of style and taste. Frances loved it. Its rambling lack of uniformity appealed to her and she felt at home here far more than she ever had in the magnificent town house in Cavendish Square. But, she was honest enough to admit to Aunt May, perhaps that had much to do with the absence of the Dowager. Here she was the unquestioned mistress of her own home and enjoyed the freedom.

But she was equally aware that the house needed much love and care. It had a chill, neglected air where dust and mice reigned supreme and so did damp and mildew. The structure was sound enough, but the Priory needed to be lived in. Aldeborough's parents had spent little time here, preferring life in Cavendish Square, the country merely providing the opportunity for hunting and winter house parties.

The spring weather tempted Frances into the estate. The formal gardens swept from the balustraded stone terraces to a ha-ha from where the parkland stretched to the horizon.

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