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Back A Man of Honour Save as PDF
Chapters (73)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. PART ONE
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. PART TWO
  16. TWELVE
  17. THIRTEEN
  18. FOURTEEN
  19. FIFTEEN
  20. SIXTEEN
  21. SEVENTEEN
  22. EIGHTEEN
  23. NINETEEN
  24. TWENTY
  25. TWENTY-ONE
  26. TWENTY-TWO
  27. TWENTY-THREE
  28. TWENTY-FOUR
  29. TWENTY-FIVE
  30. TWENTY-SIX
  31. TWENTY-SEVEN
  32. TWENTY-EIGHT
  33. TWENTY-NINE
  34. THIRTY
  35. THIRTY-ONE
  36. THIRTY-TWO
  37. PART THREE
  38. THIRTY-THREE
  39. THIRTY-FOUR
  40. THIRTY-FIVE
  41. THIRTY-SIX
  42. THIRTY-SEVEN
  43. THIRTY-EIGHT
  44. THIRTY-NINE
  45. FORTY
  46. FORTY-ONE
  47. FORTY-TWO
  48. FORTY-THREE
  49. FORTY-FOUR
  50. PART FOUR
  51. FORTY-FIVE
  52. FORTY-SIX
  53. FORTY-SEVEN
  54. FORTY-EIGHT
  55. FORTY-NINE
  56. FIFTY
  57. FIFTY-ONE
  58. FIFTY-TWO
  59. FIFTY-THREE
  60. PART FIVE
  61. FIFTY-FOUR
  62. FIFTY-FIVE
  63. FIFTY-SIX
  64. FIFTY-SEVEN
  65. FIFTY-EIGHT
  66. FIFTY-NINE
  67. SIXTY
  68. SIXTY-ONE
  69. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  70. Keep Reading …
  71. About the Author
  72. Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
  73. About the Publisher

‘It’s lovely inside,’ she replied. ‘We have to see Cook first, so I can give her the box of little cakes from Hettys, then I’ll go and speak to her ladyship, explain that you’re here.’

‘Thank ye, Siobhan, but don’t mention why I’m in Harrogate, or me lady friend, please.’

‘I won’t! Don’t be so daft!’ she shot back as she led him across the cobbled yard to the service entrance. Beyond was the stable block, and he could hear the sound of the horses’ hooves and their snorting. They seemed restless, he thought.

As Blackie walked into the kitchen with Siobhan, his warm smile flashed across his face.

‘Ah, and ’tis a grand place, this,’ he said. Moving across the floor, he was heading for Cook, who had swung around at the sound of voices.

‘And there you are, O’Brien,’ she said. ‘I see you have my box of little cakes. Carried them carefully, I hope, lass.’

‘I did, Cook.’

‘And who is this strapping lad tagging along with you?’ she laughed. ‘I can hardly ask, what’s this the cat’s dragged in? He’s too brawny for that.’

Stepping closer, stretching out his hand, Blackie said, ‘Shane O’Neill is me name, but most call me Blackie. It’s Siobhan’s cousin that I am.’

Cook gripped his hand, nodded and said, ‘Irish, eh? Well, take the weight off yer feet, and I’ll give yer both a mug of tea.’

‘Thanks, Mrs Felton, but I just have to see her ladyship,’ Siobhan said to the cook. ‘I need to speak to her urgently.’

‘Get along with you then, do your duty. Tea will be waiting when you get back.’

Siobhan nodded and ran out of the kitchen, smiling to herself as she heard Blackie complimenting Cook on the delicious smells floating around her kitchen. Hasn’t he kissed the Blarney Stone she thought, as she crossed the stone hall.

THIRTY

They sat together on an iron garden seat in the back gardens of Bolton Manor.

Hatton, the butler, had suggested they wait there while he spoke to Lord Robert.

Siobhan, following the direction of Blackie’s gaze, and then glancing at him, knew how he felt. He did not like the gardens, she could tell for sure. His face was full of dismay.

‘They need a bit of work, don’t they?’ she said, her eyes on him intently. ‘Poor gardens.’

‘I’d say a lot of work,’ he replied. ‘They’re a right mess … a muddle, sure and they are. No plan. Bushes, flowerbeds, the lawns, a fountain where it shouldn’t be. And the lake obscured by more bushes.’

‘I bet you could put it right?’

‘Aye, I could that. But I’m not going to, Siobhan. I’m aiming to be a builder of houses, not a gardener now.’

‘I know. But it’s a shame. Maybe you could recommend somebody.’