Category: Romance Publisher: K. R. Richards
ISBN-10: B007GO359Q
Type: Fiction
Pages: 361
Copyright: March 3, 2012
Lord of the Abbey is a romantic, adventurous romp through 19th century Glastonbury, England. Harry Bellingham, Lord Glaston, assists Lady Rowena Locke in finding the long hidden sacred treasures of Glastonbury Abbey.
Confirmed spinster, Lady Rowena Locke seeks permission from Harry Bellingham, the new Lord Glaston to search for treasure hidden on Glastonbury Abbey grounds. Glaston is the head of the renowned Avalon Society, an historical society which pursues myths, legends, ancient treasures and the paranormal.
To her surprise, not only is Harry interested in the treasure hidden by the last Abbot of Glastonbury before the dissolution of the Abbey, he is also interested in Rowena. Her vow to never marry is severely tested upon meeting Lord Glaston.
When Harry and his fellow Avalon Society members step in to assist Rowena and her aunt on their quest, dangerous and mysterious men in brown coats and hats appear in Glastonbury also searching for the lost Abbey treasure. It’s a race against time as the mysterious ‘Brown Coats’ seem to be always a step ahead of them.
Their quest becomes more dangerous as they find more clues, treasures, letters and holy secrets while trying to protect their finds from the enemy.
Will they discover who the ‘Brown Coats’ are and why they are after the treasures? Can Harry convince marriage wary Rowena to trust in love and marry him?
Lord of the Abbey, Lords of Avalon series, Book 1 is an adventurous romp through late Regency Glastonbury full of danger, romance, mystery, treasure, lost Holy secrets of Glastonbury Abbey and contains elements of the paranormal.
Book 2 in the Lords of Avalon series, Lords of Honor, is on Amazon Kindle. The first Lords of Avalon series novella, Lord Greyton's Fall From Grace is on Amazon Kindle. Book 3 in the Lords of Avalon series, Lords of Retribution, will be released in late March 2013. Book 4, Lords of Atonement, will be released in fall/winter 2013.
Excerpt
Harry was spellbound, not only by the story, but by the Angel who read it. He noticed how her crystalline, light blue eyes were only a shade darker than her gown, and how they sparkled as she read William Dulac’s letter. He noted the color of her hair resembled spun gold, and winked like golden topaz in the lamp and candlelight, woven into intricate braids and wispy curls that framed her face. His eyes transfixed on her lush pink lips, and his thoughts strayed. Her alabaster skin was flawless, translucent. He ached to touch it and feel the softness of it. Her clear, melodious voice bewitched him with her assurance of herself and her belief of the intriguing tale.
Rowena took a deep breath. “And that is the letter of William Dulac.”
“Have any of you ever heard of a Dulac Manor?” Harry inquired. “It must have been near the Tor for William to witness the hanging of Abbot Whiting. Definitely near Stonedown, perhaps on the other side of the Tor. No doubt it is long gone.”
“I know of Dulac Manor.” Frances Phippen’s face glowed with amusement. She winked at Rowena. “As I explained to Rowena the day she discovered the letter, my grandmother’s name was Rose Frances Henrietta Dulac Parfitt. She had no brothers. She was born a Dulac at Stonedown Manor. She married Henry Parfitt and had two sons and one daughter, my mother, Henrietta Rowena Parfitt Winstone, whom she bequeathed Stonedown to in her dowry. According to her father, the Manor was centuries before called Dulac Manor.”
Frances continued, “Many locals, however, began to call the lane Stonedown, when two lines of great standing stones leading to the Tor were pulled down to build barns and outbuildings at the Manor in the early sixteenth century, likely prior to our William Dulac leaving the Abbey. Centuries after the stones were pulled down the lane kept the name Stonedown, hence Stonedown Lane. Over the last hundred years or more the Manor was solely referred to as Stonedown, and the original name, Dulac Manor, was forgotten.”
“So“, Harry rose looking extremely pleased, “the letters are hidden in a secret compartment somewhere in your home!”
“Yes, the Abbot’s letters along with William’s are hidden somewhere in our house, but we have been unable to locate any save this one,” Rowena confessed glumly. “We have tried to find the secret chamber, but I fear William Dulac was correct – the chamber must be well hidden. We have been unsuccessful.”
Harry, deep in thought, pulled at his chin. “It would be easier to find the hidden treasure if we found Abbot Whiting’s letter detailing the location of said treasure first. Lady Sperring, Lady Rowena, will you allow Amesbury and I to conduct a search of your home to locate the secret chamber? We would be happy to come to Stonedown tomorrow afternoon and give the place a thorough search. We both possess some knowledge of old architecture. If memory serves, renovations done to Stonedown, though extensive, did not harm the original part of your manor. With only additions being built on to your house, the chance the secret chamber still exists remains very high. I think we should look through the rest of your books as well!”
“Please do, my Lords! We certainly welcome your help in this matter,” Frances was quick to agree.
“Absolutely. Tomorrow afternoon will be perfect!” Rowena added.
He needs a wife. She needs a reason to trust him. He fell for her at first sight. She, not so much.
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