A typical day in the life of Harry Belmont when we first meet him in the book.
On waking Harry is greeted by his butler/valet Winslow. Winslow gets Harry’s clothes out ready for him while Harry shaves and washes.
Once dressed, Harry goes down to breakfast where a breakfast buffet is laid out for him to choose from. If his irritating sister Petra and cousin Bertram are in attendance, Harry eats quickly and is soon calling for his horse, Mighty.
Usually Harry would ride to his coal mine and spend the morning there discussing the concerns of the mine with his best friend, and mine manager, Nicholas. He may even change into old clothes and venture down into the mine with Nicholas to studied a particular section of the mine.
Leaving the mine at midday, harry would ride into the village, founded by is ancestors, and stop to chat with some of the villagers. He’s call in at Wheeler’s shop and purchases sweets for the children living in his houses near the mine. But while he was in Wheeler’s shop he’d hope to catch a glimpse of Charlotte Brookes, a new comer to the village and who, with her sister, now lived with the Wheelers and worked in the shop. Charlotte had grabbed his attention the first moment he saw her. She looked delicate and so out-of-place behind the counter, but he also noted the steely set of her chin, the look in her gorgeous eyes which hinted that she was stronger than he thought. Since meeting her he couldn’t get her out of his mind. How was he ever going to get her to talk to him?
Staying as long as he could, he’d eventually leave the shop and ride Mighty over the hills towards his rows of pit houses he’d built for his miners.
The children knew him and waited eagerly for this once a week treat where he’d bring sweet for them to share. He’d talk to their mothers and then ride on towards Belmont Hall, his home. But all the while he’ll be thinking of Charlotte. Imaging what it would feel like to kiss her, to have her look at him and really see him as the man he was, not just Mr Belmont from the Hall.
Once home, he’d give Mighty to the stable boy and go inside to his study where he’d have lunch on a tray brought by Winslow before starting an afternoon of bookwork and meetings with his estate steward, his gamekeeper, the head gardener and head groom of stables. Between them all, they kept his huge estate running smoothly but he had to oversee everything they wanted to do and much needed to be discussed as they planned for the seasons to come. He’d also attend to his correspondence, answering letters, paying bills and replying to invitations to parties and shoots.
Before dinner, Harry would soak in a bath, thinking constantly of Charlotte, then change into evening wear and go downstairs to have a drink before dinner was announced. If he had guests he would entertain them, or sometimes when he was alone he’d eat his meal and then retire to the library to read the newspaper or a book on mining.
Tired, he’d say goodnight to Winslow and allow him to lock up the house for the night before climbing into bed and wishing Charlotte was by his side.
The Promise of Tomorrow
Charlotte Brookes flees her lecherous guardian, McBride, taking her younger sister with her. After a year on the road, they stumble into a Yorkshire village. There, they are taken in by the Wheelers, owners of the village shop. This new life is strange for Charlotte but preferable to living with McBride or surviving on the roads.
Harry Belmont is an important man in the village, but he’s missing something in his life. His budding friendship with Charlotte gives him hope she will feel more for him one day, and he will have the woman he needs.
However, when McBride finds out where Charlotte lives, his threats begin, and Harry takes it upon himself to keep Charlotte safe. Only, World War I erupts and Harry enlists.
Left to face a world of new responsibilities, and Harry’s difficult sister, Charlotte must run the gauntlet of family disputes, McBride's constant harassment and the possibility of the man she loves being killed.
Can Charlotte find the happiness that always seems under threat, and will Harry return home to her?
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Author Bio –
Australian born AnneMarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances and sometimes the odd short story, too. Her passions, apart from writing, are travelling, reading, researching historical eras and looking for inspiration for her next book.
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http://annemariebrear.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
Twitter @annemariebrear
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