Bell Family

THE SUTHERLAND SCANDALS1890The story opens in Newcastle, Northern England, and we meet J.B. Sutherlandbrewer and eventually the owner of the Victorian pub by the River Tyne, The Barley Mow. The family saga is told by his middle daughter, Elizabeth, whose childhood is wonderful until her father suddenly dies, and their eldest illegitimate brother, John Thomas, shows up at their father's funeral to inherit the pub.Elizabeth is an artistic soul, often at odds with her overpowering older sisters and loathes her oldest brother, who takes over the pub by gambling away the profits (Scandal 1). They lose their livelihood and home; the pub must close.Elizabeth manages to find jobs to keep food on the table, first helping an elderly lady, then with the suffragist movement, designing their posters and promoting their cause. During this time she meets the love of her life. A marine fitter, Percy Neil-Gregory (Scandal 2 according to her sisters, who believe she is marrying beneath her), who, like her, has a dark secret in his family. She married Percy after a long friendship, despite her sisters' disapprovals.During the start of the 19th century, to give her family security, Elizabeth continued to work even when she had her first child, Alice Neil-Gregory. Percy, without discussing it with her, sailed to the USA with her youngest brother Benjamin to try and make his fortune (Scandal 3).With her husband away, she finds herself pregnant for the second time. After many long months of pleading, on the day of her baby Marjorie's birthday, Percy returned from the USA. They move to Yorkshire with their family for a better job; with her saved inheritance from her share of the pub, they are able to buy a small house in Hull. As Elizabeth's daughters grow up, they become skilled in music and drama, and Elizabeth keeps working to pay for their classes. Alice becomes a soubrette on the stages of theatres, and Marjorie, the family seamstress, sews and designs costumes.

The pitter-patter of little Texas feet? One night of passion with P.I. Andrew Walker and what does Hannah Bell have to show for it? A baby bump that's about six months along! No longer willing to trust her instincts when it comes to romance, Hannah decides to make a go of being a single mom. With her family rallying around her, Hannah knows her baby will be welcomed with love and joy. Accidental or not, Andrew wants to be part of his baby's, and Hannah's, life. He prides himself on always doing the right thing, as long as he doesn't get too involved. But the more time he spends with Hannah, the more he likes the idea of a family of three!