دانلود رمان انگلیسی “جهیزیه مخفی”

CHARLOTTE KENDALL HUMMED a lively tune as she made her way along the narrow path through the grassy field that would lead her back home. She swung the wooden box containing her watercolor paints, brushes, paper, and lap easel beside her as she strolled. The weather was seldom fine enough to paint out of doors in May, but they had enjoyed a week of unusually warm weather so Charlotte had put on her Spencer and braved the dewy ground to try to render a good likeness of the nearby hills and meadows. Noticing the abundance of bright spring wildflowers peppering the grass, Charlotte was tempted to stop to paint them. But, aware that her father would likely be vexed over her long absence that day, she reluctantly continued on. As she reached the rise overlooking her family’s property, she paused, as she always did, to admire the view of Clayton House—the only home she had ever known. The stone manor was not large, but everyone agreed it had perfect proportions with its two wings and tall, leaded windows across the front. A grand sweep before the elegant structure was also nicely situated far off the main road. The property had formal gardens on three sides of the house and an un-landscaped, wildish area beyond the rear garden which stretched to the wooded grounds. Her father’s estate was not large or valuable, but to Charlotte, Clayton House was simply perfect. Someday, she vowed, she would attempt to capture its beauty, but not until she was confident of doing it justice. She sighed happily, and her humming turned into singing as she made her way home. Charlotte entered Clayton House to find the housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson, hovering in the entry hall. “There you are, Miss Charlotte—at last,” the older woman whispered. “Your father’s been asking for you every half hour since lunch.”