The House (Armstrong House Series Book 1) Read online

  Anna waited anxiously as nearly an hour passed by. Finally the door of the drawing room downstairs opened and out came a smiling father and Edward. As they began to come up the stairs, Anna quickly turned and raced into the party, where she found Georgina and pretended she had been in conversation with her.

  The two men entered the room and looked around. Then her father came over to her and said, “Anna, would you join Edward and me at the piano, please?”

  She managed to look surprised and followed her father over to Edward at the piano. Her father instructed Cecil to stop playing, and gradually a hush descended on the crowd as they all turned to see John Stratton standing between his daughter and Edward Armstrong.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I interrupt the festivities to announce something that is probably of no surprise to any of you: the engagement of my eldest daughter, Anna, to Lord Edward Armstrong.”

  The crowd erupted in cheers and clapping.

  Two matronly women were sitting by the fireplace, eating mince pies and drinking wine.

  “Many a young woman has been trying to land Edward Armstrong. She’s a lucky girl,” said one.

  “The fact that her father is one of the country’s wealthiest men, and an MP with all that political clout, helped secure the arrangement, I imagine.”

  “Edward Armstrong has no need to marry for money, I can assure you, with his estate. I have it on good account that it is a love match. Seemingly they are infatuated with each other.”

  The other woman observed them. “They do make a beautiful couple, and both apparently are kind and generous. Their children will be blessed.”

  Edward was a guest in the house that night, but it was three in the morning before the last of the guests left and the family went to bed. The following morning, the snow had stopped falling, and the family walked to church.

  Edward walked between Anna and Georgina.

  “Thank heaven you managed to reach Dublin last night,” said Georgina.

  “I thought I was going to have to take shelter at Carton House, fourteen miles out, for the night. I told the coachman I simply had to get to Dublin and offered him a bribe if he could get me to Merrion Square before midnight.”

  “You must have bribed him considerably when he got you here by eleven then,” said Georgina with a smirk.

  “I had a very good reason to get here, regardless of the cost,” he smiled at Anna.

  When they got back to the house, the aroma of turkey and sage-and-onion stuffing was wafting through the house as they hurried to the Christmas tree and began to give out the presents.

  As Anna’s father admired the fine walking stick Edward had presented to him, Anna went and took the hat she had bought the previous afternoon, in its attractive box, and handed it to Georgina.

  “It was for me?” Georgina said in surprise and delight, and she opened the box quickly and took out the hat.

  “I knew you liked it when you admired it in the shop, and I had to get it for you.”

  “Thank you!” Georgina squeezed Anna’s hand.

  “And now I have a present for my fiancée,” said Edward loudly, as he walked to the Christmas tree and took a large rectangular parcel and carried it over to her.

  “What is it, a painting?” asked Anna, as she examined it and began to take off the wrapping paper excitedly.

  The family gathered around her and stared at the gold-framed painting of a beautiful house.

  “Do you like it, Anna?” asked Edward.

  “I love it!” said Anna, studying the skilfully painted picture.

  “What an unusual thing for a man to give his young bride-to-be! I’d have preferred jewellery if it were me,” said Sophia as Anna stared at the painting, lost in the house’s beauty.

  “Do you really like it?” Edward asked Anna again.

  “I love it.”

  “Because this painting isn’t your only present,” said Edward. “This painting is based on the architect’s plans I had drawn up for a house that is being built on my estate.”

  “A house?” asked Anna, confused.

  “I’m having this house built for you, Anna,” Edward said, looking lovingly at her.

  “That beats diamonds any day!” Georgina said snidely to Sophia.

  There was a general sense of awe as everyone viewed the grandeur of the house’s image.

  “But what of your present home on the estate, your parents’ ancestral home?” asked Anna.

  “Pah!” Edward waved his hand dismissively. “That higgledy-piggledy rambling old fortress. My mother was always nagging my father to knock it down and build a mansion suitable to our position. It’s unsafe anyway. I’m having it demolished and extensive stables built on the site. This new house will have every modern convenience, a home worthy of my new bride.” He smiled down at Anna.

  Anna’s father took the painting and studied it, asking, “And when did you start building the house?”

  “Two years ago . . . when I knew we would one day be married. The builders have been working hard to get it ready in time for our wedding. My cousin Sinclair has been overseeing them.”

  John smiled sadly. “I wish your mother had lived, Anna, to see you married in this wonderful house.”

  That evening in the drawing room, the family were recovering from the eating and drinking of the day, while Cecil played soothing piano. Anna and Georgina were sitting on the hearthrug together.

  “Just think, this time next year, we will both be married women, both be mistresses of our own houses,” said Anna, as she stared at the painting of the house that would be her new home which had found temporary lodging on a sideboard, propped against the wall.

  “I’d hoped I’d get a letter from Tom before Christmas,” said Georgina.

  “It’s probably on its way, delayed in the post from the continent,” said Anna.

  “I hope he’s all right,” sighed Georgina.

  “Of course he is. He’ll be back soon and then you can start arranging the final details of your wedding in the summer.” Anna turned and took Georgina’s hand. “I want our children to be every bit as close as we are.”

  “I want that too,” said Georgina.

  “Let’s make a pact then that we’ll meet as often as we do now, and not let our lives get in the way of our friendship, or our children’s future friendship. Do you promise?”

  “I promise,” said Georgina.

  2

  Lake Geneva

  Switzerland

  29th April 1841

  My Dear Georgina,

  I hope you got my last letter. We have been travelling so much, it is impossible to give you an address for you to write back. We arrived in Geneva from Munich last week, and I can’t believe it is the last week of our honeymoon and we are due to return to Ireland on Thursday. The time has gone so quickly.

  I love Edward more each day. He spoils me so much. We have had to buy four extra trunks for all the shopping we have done. When we arrive back to Ireland, we will rest a short while at my father’s before setting off for Mayo to start life on the estate – in our new house. I am longing to see it.

  Please, will you visit us at our new home before your own wedding? And what of the wedding arrangements? Have you and Tom set an actual date yet? I know the detail and planning that needs to go into a wedding, but surely even you do not need this length of time! Please, delay no longer, as I do not want there to be much of an age difference between our children. Remember our pact? Edward is calling me now, we are going out to dinner. But I will be in contact as soon as I arrive back to Ireland, and I will see you at our new house.

  Love,

  Anna

  The carriage made its way through the Irish countryside on the final day of the long journey from Dublin to Edward’s estate in County Mayo. Inside the carriage Edward and Anna sat holding hands.

  “I can’t wait to see the house!” said Anna excitedly.

  “Will you calm down!” urged Edward, secretly loving her impatience.


  He had been assured by the architects, builders and furnishers that work on the house was completed and it was ready for them to move in. He wanted it to be perfect for when Anna arrived. The building of the house had taken up nearly all of his time over the past three years as he lovingly paid attention to every detail, always mindful of what he thought Anna would like – what colour she would prefer, what fabrics attracted her eye, what rooms would suit her personality. The house was an act of love for his new wife.

  The carriage slowed down and entered through a large granite gateway with an arch over it. Anna looked out the window as they made their way through beautifully landscaped parkland.

  “How long is the driveway?” she asked as she strained to see the house but there was still no view of it.

  They came to a lake and suddenly there was the house high above the lake on the other side, a series of terraces and steps climbing the hill in front of it. It took Anna’s breath away.

  They rounded the lake and the carriage swept into the forecourt of the house. Edward opened his door and held out his hand to assist Anna as she stepped out. She paused and looked up at the house.

  It was a baronial granite stone house, three stories high. The third storey was tucked just under the roof, with the windows pitched into the black tile roof. A flight of steps led up to the double doors that were open, awaiting the new owners. The windows were tall and gothic. Anna moved away from the carriage, taking in the splendour of the building. Edward didn’t look at the house once – he was too intent studying his wife’s face for her reaction. She turned and looked at the house’s surroundings and gasped. Edward had searched far and wide through the eight thousand acres of the estate for the perfect location to build. He had finally found the perfect spot here. In front of the house, at the edge of the forecourt, a low pillared wall had been built, in the centre of which were steps leading down to the series of terraces she had seen from across the lake. To the left and right of the house were extensive gardens falling gently away from the house, planted with trees and exotic shrubs.

  “It’s everything I imagined,” said Anna.

  Edward went to her, placed his arm around her and smiled. The staff had come out of the house and were standing in line to greet her.

  “And here’s your welcoming committee,” said Edward as he led Anna past the staff who smiled respectfully and bowed and curtseyed.

  Anna and Edward walked up the steps. She reached out and held his hand tightly as they went through the large door and into a great tiled hall. There was a giant fireplace to the left and a majestic staircase at the end of the hall.

  Edward led Anna through the rooms. To the right at the front was a large drawing room. It was painted in a deep red and furnished elegantly, with large couches and chaises longues. A hand-carved oak fireplace was on one side of the room and a bow window on the other with a writing desk placed there. The windows in front looked out on the lake. Across the hall from the drawing room was a comfortable parlour, smaller and designed more for the family than to entertain guests. Behind this room was the dining room, splendidly furnished with mahogany chairs and a table capable of seating twenty-four people. The walls were painted a deep blue, and cabinets and sideboards were laid out around the walls, laden with silver and china. It was hard for Anna to take it all in as she followed Edward. Behind this room was the library, the shelves filled with tomes and volumes. A large writing bureau stood against one wall and other desks stood before the windows. There were wine Chesterfield couches and matching armchairs arranged around the room and in front of the fireplace.

  Edward then led her back across the grand hall and down to some double doors beyond the drawing room. He threw open the doors and led her into a ballroom. It was a very grand gold-themed room with French windows down one side leading onto a terrace. It was sparse of furniture with giant gold-leafed mirrors lining the walls, giving the illusion the room was even bigger than its natural size.

  Back in the hall, Edward pointed to the doors behind the stairs and said they led to the kitchens.

  They walked up the stairs, carved from oak, and followed the turn that brought them to where the bedrooms were laid out on the second floor. Anna followed Edward down to the end of the main corridor and there he took her hand and led her into their bedroom. The room was at the front of the house with a window that looked across the lake. There was a bow window to the side of the room. It was decorated in light blue wallpaper with a fine gold stripe. A couch rested before a white Grecian fireplace, a door beside it leading into the dressing rooms. A four-poster bed was against the fourth wall.

  “Well?” he asked.

  “It’s everything I wanted. Everything. The paintings, the curtains, the furniture, it’s all entirely to my taste.”

  “I know. I’ve been an attentive student, listening to your every word, to everything you love. And I built the house to those specifications.”

  She almost looked frightened by his dedication. “How can I ever repay you?”

  “You already have. By marrying me,” he said.

  3

  Anna sat at the desk in their bedroom after breakfast as she wrote a letter to Georgina.

  Edward had invited neighbours and friends to the house for dinner that evening to meet his new bride.

  Edward walked in and smiled to see her. “I’ve just spoken to Cook about tonight’s menu for the dinner,” he said. “She suggested beef?”

  “Yes, if you think so.”

  He stepped behind her and embraced her. “You know, that’s going to be your role as soon as you settle in some more. Running the house and the staff.”

  “I know,” she smiled at him. “That doesn’t worry me. I’m used to helping run my father’s house. But what does worry me is meeting everyone tonight. What if they don’t like me?”

  “They’ll love you! How could they not?”

  He released her and went to look out the front window.

  “I was thinking today we might go for a walk through the estate. I want to show you around.”

  “It’s a perfect day for it,” she said as she looked out at the blue skies.

  “Who are you writing to?”

  “Georgina. I’m worried about her. She still hasn’t answered any of my letters, and she’s marrying Tom soon but we’ve heard nothing of the arrangements.”

  “They are cutting it fine,” Edward frowned. “Anyway, I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour for our walk.” He kissed her forehead and left as Anna returned to her letter writing.

  As Anna walked down the stairs, fastening the ribbons of her bonnet, she looked around for Edward.

  “Sorry, my lady,” said Barton the butler. “Lord Edward was urgently called away on business in the town. He apologised and said he will see you this evening.”

  “Ohh! I see.” Anna was disappointed. “Very well. Thank you, Barton.”

  She went and looked out the window at the sunny day and decided to go exploring the estate anyway on her own.

  She made her way through the gardens and out into the country lanes that criss-crossed the estate. The further she got from the house, the more rugged the landscape became and the more its breathtaking beauty bewitched her. She could see why Edward loved the place so much. She had been very nervous leaving Dublin and everyone behind, just trusting her love for Edward would make everything all right, but now she knew she had made the right decision.

  Suddenly from over a hill a horse appeared, ridden by a well-dressed dark-haired man. The horse swept up close beside her, giving her a start.

  “What are you doing here?” shouted the man on the horse angrily.

  “I – I –” Anna stuttered.

  “You’re trespassing. You’ve no right to be here.”

  “I – I’m sorry. I must have strayed. I thought I was still on Armstrong land.”

  “You are on Armstrong land. And you’re trespassing on it. Now get your damned self out of here before I have you thrown of
f.”

  Anna looked at the man, feeling frightened by his anger and hostility.

  “But I’m –” she tried to explain.

  The man leaned forward, seething. “Get off this land now! Get off my land!” He then kicked his horse, causing the animal to bolt, leaving Anna in a cloud of dust. She watched as the horse and rider galloped into the distance and disappeared. Anna felt herself tremble from the encounter. She turned immediately and made for the safety of the house as quickly as she could. She had never been spoken to so aggressively before. She wasn’t used to hostility in the polite parlours of Dublin. The man was menacing, with his large frame, raven-black hair and dark threatening eyes. Most of all she was confused. If she had unwittingly ventured on to a neighbouring estate maybe she could understand his anger, but he had said it was Armstrong land. Her Edward’s land. She would discuss it with Edward later, and hopefully he would shed light on it. She didn’t want to upset his neighbours in her first week there.