The Daughter of Highland Hall
Page 1
Praise for
The Daughter of Highland Hall
“In The Daughter of Highland Hall, Carrie Turansky sweeps readers back into the early nineteen hundreds, to the glamour of London society as well as the desperate world of those struggling to survive in London’s East End. This beautiful story is filled with endearing characters who will steal your heart and surprises that will keep you engrossed until the very end.”
—MELANIE DOBSON, award-winning author of Chateau of Secrets and The Courier of Caswell Hall
“From London’s East End to the royal presentation court, Carrie Turansky pulls back the curtain on Edwardian England in this sweeping new drama. The Daughter of Highland Hall will delight romance fans as well as those who like a peek behind the scenes into the lives of the elite and the people who serve them. A delight from the first page to the last.”
—CARLA STEWART, award-winning author of Stardust and The Hatmaker’s Heart
“Giving vivid entry into an Edwardian England setting, from genteel ballrooms to the gritty streets of London’s East End, author Carrie Turansky has created a cast of multilayered, delightfully written characters I found engaging from beginning to end. The Daughter of Highland Hall is at its heart a story of personal courage, one sure to please fans of Turansky’s The Governess of Highland Hall, as well as readers coming fresh to the series with this book.”
—LORI BENTON, author of Burning Sky and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
“From first line to last, The Daughter of Highland Hall is a sumptuous Edwardian feast, brimming with romance, history, and spiritual truths. Society and its glitter fade away as what truly matters comes into play. A delightful addition to the Edwardian Brides series!”
—LAURA FRANTZ, author of Love’s Fortune
“The Daughter of Highland Hall sweeps readers back to historic London where a cast of endearing characters work toward a heart-stirring cause. With excitement happening both upstairs and down, this charming romance is a beautiful addition to Carrie Turansky’s Edwardian Brides series and a reminder that the greatest joys can arrive in the unlikeliest of ways.”
—JOANNE BISCHOF, award-winning author of the Cadence of Grace series
“A debutante. A medical missionary. Two disparate worlds. The Daughter of Highland Hall celebrates God’s ability to open eyes and soften hearts.”
—MONA HODGSON, author of nearly forty books for adults and children, including the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series, the Quilted Heart novellas, and Prairie Song
“The Daughter of Highland Hall is a compelling Edwardian love story that crosses class divides, where characters learn that snagging a titled and wealthy spouse is not the first concern of life. Carrie Turansky’s meticulously researched and beautifully written novel lifts the heart, drawing the reader closer to Christ and reminding her of the possibilities of a faith-driven marriage. Characters that inspire readers to rekindle their romance with the Lord of life as well as with their own husband … How many books can do that?”
—CATHY GOHLKE, Christy Award–winning author of Promise Me This and Band of Sisters
BOOKS BY CARRIE TURANSKY
NOVELS
The Governess of Highland Hall
Snowflake Sweethearts
A Man to Trust
Seeking His Love
Along Came Love
Surrendered Hearts
NOVELLAS
Where Two Hearts Meet
Christmas Mail-Order Brides
Kiss the Bride
A Blue and Gray Christmas
A Big Apple Christmas
Wedded Bliss?
THE DAUGHTER OF HIGHLAND HALL
PUBLISHED BY MULTNOMAH BOOKS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.
The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.
Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-60142-498-3
eBook ISBN 978-1-60142-499-0
Copyright © 2014 by Carrie Turansky
Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Mike Heath, Magnus Creative
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, New York, a Penguin Random House Company.
MULTNOMAH and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House LLC.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Turansky, Carrie.
The daughter of Highland Hall : a novel / Carrie Turansky. — First edition.
pages cm — (Edwardian brides)
ISBN 978-1-60142-498-3 (paperback) — ISBN 978-1-60142-499-0 (electronic) 1. Aristocracy (Social class)—Fiction. 2. Young women—Fiction. 3. Great Britain—History—Edward VII, 1901–1910—Fiction. 4. London (England)—History—20th century—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3620.U7457D38 2014
813′.6—dc23
2014023631
This book is dedicated to my daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Peter Morrison. Their love for each other and their hearts to serve those who are in need is a wonderful inspiration to me and to everyone who meets them!
Contents
Cover
Other Books by This Author
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Readers Guide
Acknowledgments
About the Author
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
—MATTHEW 6:33
ONE
London, England
April 1912
If she lived to be one hundred and five, Katherine Evangeline Ramsey would never understand why every debutante must begin the London social season by curtsying to the king and queen. Of course, she was excited to be presented at court and to take part in her first season. She had looked forward to it for years; however, mastering the required skills had proven more challenging than she’d expected.
But her aunt, Lady Louisa Gatewood, insisted that was how every well-bred young lady made her debut into English society and announced she was ready for marriage. Kate certainly hoped her aunt was right. Because marriage to the right man was the only way she would gain control of her life and create a future for herself.
Pulling in a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and prepared to practice her curtsy once more.
Mr. Philippe Rounpear, her gray-haired dancing master, l
owered his bushy, silver eyebrows and pointed his white-gloved finger at Kate. “You must float over the floor like a swan gliding across a lake.” He gave a firm nod. “Try again, please.”
How many times was he going to make her do this? Kate stuffed down her frustration and cast a heated glance at her aunt Louisa, who sat on a high-backed chair by the piano, taking on the role of King George V.
Her aunt stiffened. “Katherine, the only way you will gain a position in society is to take your training seriously.”
“I am taking it seriously!” The words flew from Kate’s mouth before she could stop them.
“Then you must conquer these presentation formalities and do them perfectly.”
Kate swallowed the sharp reply rising in her throat, tugged her skirt aside, and stepped into her next curtsy.
Mr. Rounpear’s voice rang out. “No, no! You look as stiff as a broom.” He crossed the oriental carpet of her cousin William Ramsey’s London drawing room and tapped her left shoulder. “You must relax your posture. Think grace, think poise.”
Heat flushed her face. She looked past the dancing master at her younger sister, Penny, who sat next to their aunt, pretending to be Queen Mary. Penny’s eyes danced as she waited for Kate to attempt her next curtsy.
Kate narrowed her gaze at her sister. Just wait. In two years you will be eighteen, and you’ll have to prepare for your own presentation. You won’t be laughing then!
Mr. Rounpear clapped his hands. “Miss Katherine, our hour is almost over. One more time, please.”
“All right.” Katherine blew out a breath and tried to relax her shoulders. She would get this right or expire in the process. She had to. Her future depended on it.
Lifting her chin, she stepped to the side, then crossed one leg behind the other, and slowly sank down in front of her aunt Louisa.
“Better.” Mr. Rounpear nodded. “Not perfect, but better. Now lower your head, count to three, then rise slowly.”
Katherine’s legs burned as she waited and then rose.
“Now take two steps to the right, and curtsy to the queen.”
Katherine glanced at Penny and took the first step, but when she took the second, her foot tangled in her skirt. She gasped and her hand shot out.
Penny smirked and covered her mouth.
Katherine swayed, struggling to recover her balance.
Mr. Rounpear scowled. “Is that how you will conduct yourself at your presentation?”
“Of course not.” Kate untangled her skirt and turned toward the windows, frustration bubbling up within. This man was impossible! She would like to see him curtsy fifty times and never lose his balance.
“Face this way!”
Kate clenched her jaw and turned around.
“You must never turn your back on the royal family.” He motioned toward Penny and her aunt.
“They are not the royal family, and neither are you!”
His eyes flashed, and he lifted his hand. “Very well. That will be all for today.”
“Mr. Rounpear, please!” Aunt Louisa rose from her chair. “There’s no need to cut the lesson short.”
“It appears your niece is tired, and that has made her irritable.”
“But Katherine’s presentation is Friday.”
“Yes, the time is short.” The dancing instructor lowered his eyebrows and studied Kate. “I suppose I could come again on Wednesday at three o’clock.”
“Yes. Thank you. We’ll look forward to it.” Aunt Louisa sent Kate a pointed glance and waited for her response.
Kate thanked Mr. Rounpear for the lesson, though it nearly killed her.
Louisa crossed the room and pulled the cord to summon the footman. He arrived and escorted the dancing instructor out. When the door closed, she swung around and glared at Kate. “There is no excuse for your rude behavior toward Mr. Rounpear.”
Kate lifted her chin. “I don’t see why he has to come back. I know how to curtsy.”
“There is more to court presentation than learning how to curtsy.”
“Of course, but he’s so superior and demanding.”
Louisa’s nostrils flared, sending a warning. “You will have one more lesson with Mr. Rounpear, and I don’t want to hear any more about it.”
Kate’s face burned. She clenched her hands, barely able to keep herself under control. But her aunt was her presentation sponsor, and if Kate didn’t hold her tongue, she might lose her opportunity to be presented.
Louisa didn’t seem to notice Kate’s response, or perhaps she didn’t care. She turned to Penny. “Have you tried on those two new dresses?”
“Yes, but the hem of the green silk is terribly uneven. Should we send it back to the dressmaker, or should I ask Lydia to fix it?”
“Goodness, you would think with the price I’m paying that dressmaker, she could at least hem a dress properly.” Louisa motioned toward the open doorway. “I’m going to the Tremblys’ for tea at four, and I need to change, but I suppose I have time to look at it.”
“Splendid.” Penny turned and dashed out of the drawing room.
“Penelope, slow down!” Louisa raised her hand to her chest and hurried after her. “This is not a racetrack!”
Kate shook her head as she watched them go, then turned toward the window. Sunlight poured through the tall panes, drawing her gaze up to the blue sky.
It would be a perfect afternoon for a ride. Of course, a tame promenade down Rotten Row in Hyde Park wouldn’t be nearly as exciting as a high-speed race across the beautiful rolling hills at Highland Hall, her country estate in Berkshire.
That thought stopped her cold, and pain pierced her heart.
It wasn’t her estate anymore.
It had been almost a year since her father’s death, and when she lost him, she lost control of Highland as well. It wasn’t right, but it was the law.
She had no brothers, and daughters could not inherit their father’s title or the estate that was tied to it. So even though they barely knew him, William Ramsey—her second cousin once removed—had taken her father’s title as baronet and become master of Highland Hall. Even worse, her father had named Cousin William to be her guardian until she married, and that had made her life very difficult these last few months.
Of course, her father had not left her penniless. Money had been put aside for her marriage settlement. But if she wanted freedom from her cousin’s control and a home of her own, she would have to find a husband this season.
Which was exactly what she intended to do.
She crossed to the center of the room to practice her curtsy a few more times before tea. Perhaps without everyone hovering over her and criticizing her every move, she could relax and master the graceful movements she needed to impress the king and queen. And everyone else who would be watching.
Closing her eyes, she pictured the motions. Then she lifted her hand, stepped to the left, and sank down once more. Lowering her head, she counted to three, then slowly rose. There, that was better. She smiled at the imaginary queen. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m very pleased to meet you.”
A giggle drifted in through the open doorway.
Kate glanced to the right, following the sound.
Six-year-old Millie, Cousin William’s daughter, peeked around the edge of the doorway. Her ginger curls spilled over her shoulder as she leaned in.
A smile broke across Kate’s face. “Millie, are you spying on me?”
“No, I’m just watching. What are you doing?”
“I’m practicing for my presentation to the king and queen.”
Millie’s blue-green eyes glowed. “You’re going to the palace to see the king and queen?”
“Yes, I am. There will be two hundred other young women presented that day, but I’ll have my turn to meet them, and you’ll do the same when you’re my age.”
Millie’s impish smile spread wider. “Really?”
“Of course.” Kate’s spirit lifted. Millie was right. Presentation at court w
as an exciting opportunity that would open the door to Kate’s future. She shouldn’t let her overbearing aunt or her gloomy dancing instructor squelch her happiness.
It was time to make the most of the day. She focused on her young cousin again. “Would you like to learn how to curtsy?”
“Yes!” Millie hurried across the room toward Kate.
“All right. Stand like this.” Kate showed her young cousin the first position.
The little girl watched Kate with eager expectation, then lifted her skirt and followed along.
Jonathan Foster hopped down from the London omnibus and set off across Hathaway Court, a broad, tree-lined street in the heart of Kensington. The late April sunshine warmed his shoulders, and the fresh spring breeze carried a faint floral scent. What a perfect day.
The pleasant spring weather wasn’t the only reason for his cheerful mood. In less than two weeks, he would finish his fifth term at medical school, and he could enjoy a bit more freedom and a lot more sleep for the next few months.
Jon glanced at his watch. He didn’t need to be back at St. George’s Hospital until seven this evening. That gave him plenty of time to call on his sister, Julia, and her future husband, Sir William Ramsey, and welcome them to London.
Although their parents were in favor of his sister’s upcoming marriage, Jon wanted to become better acquainted with William and be sure he was the right man for Julia. Ramsey might be a baronet and master of a large country estate, but it was Julia’s recent inheritance from their grandfather that had saved Highland Hall from financial ruin just two months earlier.
Did William truly love Julia, or had he pursued her for the inheritance? With their father still recovering from a prolonged illness and living miles away in Fulton, Jon wanted to make sure his sister was protected and her future secure.
He rounded the corner, and Ramsey House came into view. He studied the impressive three-story Queen Anne–style home built of red brick. It had white trim, an intricate dutch gable with a scrolled roofline on the left, and a large round turret at the corner on the right. Another arched gable sheltered the front entrance.