Frances skillfully and calculatingly helped Rowena escape from the engagement to a very dangerous man. After her narrow escape, Rowena knew Dalworth capable of having a hand in the deaths of his former wives. In fact, she suspected the man’s wives were indeed murdered.
Although the actions taken for the escape from the engagement itself caused even more scandal, Rowena and Aunt Frances were willing to deal with it. Had dealt with it. The ruse worked and Rowena was freed from an unwanted and potentially dangerous marriage to the despicable Lord Dalworth. Her reputation was, however, thoroughly damaged.
She and Aunt Frances returned to Glastonbury. It was Aunt Frances who, wealthy in her own right, bequeathed Stonedown to Rowena, and gave her, along with a small annual allowance, an inheritance large enough to sustain her comfortably for the rest of her life.
Aunt Frances didn’t have much of a taste for London after the incident either, so it worked out fine for both of them over the years. They toured England, Scotland and Ireland. They took the Grand Tour of Europe. They visited France and Italy often. At least once a year, they either sent to or visited the warehouses in Paris or London for fabrics. Their own head housekeeper’s daughter proved to be a very skilled seamstress and created garments to rival the best modistes in London. At least fine enough for life in Glastonbury. On occasion they did slip into London for a day of shopping. But, that proved to be a rare occasion.
Harry Bellingham. Yes, an Earl as rich as Glaston would relish a tonnish wife, one who was accustomed to and welcomed by society. He would, no doubt, spend a great deal of time in Town. She heard he spent most of his adult years in London society. Had even heard whispers here in Glastonbury on occasion of his rakish reputation. Rowena felt certain she would never be welcomed by society in London, nor did she want to try. Ever. Besides, the Earl was only interested in the treasures of Glastonbury, as she was. And that was that. Rowena was merely being foolish allowing her imagination to run on so.
At precisely two o’clock, Lord Glaston and Lord Amesbury arrived. Rowena found herself ensconced in the drawing room for tea with Aunt Frances, Sir John and their gentlemen guests.
“As it happens, Lady Rowena, Lyon and I spent several hours in the library at the Grange last evening after your departure. We did find a few interesting records we want to share with you. The first record was in a book containing letters written by Richard Pollard, Dr. Richard Layton, and Thomas Moyle to Thomas Cromwell, the Vicar General. The book listed the found and removed treasures from Glastonbury Abbey at her dissolution that were subsequently turned over to Cromwell, William Paulet the King’s Treasurer of the Household, and of course King Henry VIII in 1539. The Great Altare brought to Glastonbury by St. David of Menevia, was sent by the same Pollard, Layton and Moyle to Cromwell. Curiously, there was no mention of the sapphire, the actual stone itself. The letter states the Great Altare, covered in gilt and silver, known as the Great Sapphire of Glastonbury, was found and being sent with the superfluous plate, gold, and monies found.”
Harry looked to the Angel, “No mention is made singularly of the gem itself, or of the cruets brought to Glastonbury by St. Joseph. There was never any mention of any kingly or saintly remains being found or sent from Glastonbury either,” Harry informed the party. “We found the Great Altare referred to as the Great Sapphire of Glastonbury in several different sources.”
“ I found very similar references myself, Lord Glaston. Even one source suggests that the actual altar was made in some part of lapis, hence, it being referred to as the Great Sapphire merely for the blue coloring of the stone. But I also found earlier references to the actual stone, which was seen suspended
Although the actions taken for the escape from the engagement itself caused even more scandal, Rowena and Aunt Frances were willing to deal with it. Had dealt with it. The ruse worked and Rowena was freed from an unwanted and potentially dangerous marriage to the despicable Lord Dalworth. Her reputation was, however, thoroughly damaged.
She and Aunt Frances returned to Glastonbury. It was Aunt Frances who, wealthy in her own right, bequeathed Stonedown to Rowena, and gave her, along with a small annual allowance, an inheritance large enough to sustain her comfortably for the rest of her life.
Aunt Frances didn’t have much of a taste for London after the incident either, so it worked out fine for both of them over the years. They toured England, Scotland and Ireland. They took the Grand Tour of Europe. They visited France and Italy often. At least once a year, they either sent to or visited the warehouses in Paris or London for fabrics. Their own head housekeeper’s daughter proved to be a very skilled seamstress and created garments to rival the best modistes in London. At least fine enough for life in Glastonbury. On occasion they did slip into London for a day of shopping. But, that proved to be a rare occasion.
Harry Bellingham. Yes, an Earl as rich as Glaston would relish a tonnish wife, one who was accustomed to and welcomed by society. He would, no doubt, spend a great deal of time in Town. She heard he spent most of his adult years in London society. Had even heard whispers here in Glastonbury on occasion of his rakish reputation. Rowena felt certain she would never be welcomed by society in London, nor did she want to try. Ever. Besides, the Earl was only interested in the treasures of Glastonbury, as she was. And that was that. Rowena was merely being foolish allowing her imagination to run on so.
At precisely two o’clock, Lord Glaston and Lord Amesbury arrived. Rowena found herself ensconced in the drawing room for tea with Aunt Frances, Sir John and their gentlemen guests.
“As it happens, Lady Rowena, Lyon and I spent several hours in the library at the Grange last evening after your departure. We did find a few interesting records we want to share with you. The first record was in a book containing letters written by Richard Pollard, Dr. Richard Layton, and Thomas Moyle to Thomas Cromwell, the Vicar General. The book listed the found and removed treasures from Glastonbury Abbey at her dissolution that were subsequently turned over to Cromwell, William Paulet the King’s Treasurer of the Household, and of course King Henry VIII in 1539. The Great Altare brought to Glastonbury by St. David of Menevia, was sent by the same Pollard, Layton and Moyle to Cromwell. Curiously, there was no mention of the sapphire, the actual stone itself. The letter states the Great Altare, covered in gilt and silver, known as the Great Sapphire of Glastonbury, was found and being sent with the superfluous plate, gold, and monies found.”
Harry looked to the Angel, “No mention is made singularly of the gem itself, or of the cruets brought to Glastonbury by St. Joseph. There was never any mention of any kingly or saintly remains being found or sent from Glastonbury either,” Harry informed the party. “We found the Great Altare referred to as the Great Sapphire of Glastonbury in several different sources.”
“ I found very similar references myself, Lord Glaston. Even one source suggests that the actual altar was made in some part of lapis, hence, it being referred to as the Great Sapphire merely for the blue coloring of the stone. But I also found earlier references to the actual stone, which was seen suspended
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