Day care bristol va: THE Top 10 Daycares in Bristol, VA

Опубликовано: July 26, 2023 в 4:47 am

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THE Top 10 Daycares in Bristol, VA

Daycares in Bristol, VA

Sullins Academy

Bristol, VA, Bristol, VA 24202

Starting at $375/wk

Description:

Established in 1968, Sullins Academy is committed to the core values of integrity, honesty, respect, responsibility, and service to others. Located in Bristol, VA, students are provided with positiveeducational environment and academic excellence. The school believes in the uniqueness of each child….

Description:

An establishment in Bristol, VA, Creative Learning Center Inc is providing child care services for young students in the surrounding communities. This child care organization currently accepts children rangingfrom the ages of 2 to 5 years old. This child care center started operating in the year 1981 and can accommodate a total of up to 120 students in maximum capacity….

Description:

Emmett Preschool is a child care facility located at 753 Emmett Rd. Bristol, TN. Their mission is to provide for the maximum academic, social, emotional, and physical development of each student by implementinga diversified curriculum. Parents and members of the community will be encouraged to be actively involved in the educational process….

Description:

Childcare Network #123 is located in Bristol, VA. They offer high rich learning curriculum that maximizes your child’s learning potential. They provide programs for infants, toddlers and preschool that willbuild your child’s educational foundation. They cater to 6 weeks old infants to 12 years old children. It is open on weekdays from 6:00a.m. to 6:00p.m….

YWCA

106 State Street, Bristol, TN 37620

Costimate: $219/wk

Description:

For over thirty years YWCA Bristol has been a leader in early childhood education. YWCA Bristol (YW) operates, manages and staffs the largest early childhood program in the East Region. The YW s main campus,which is licensed for eighty-four, is a 30,000 square foot facility located near downtown Bristol. In partnership with Wellmont Health System the YW also operates, manages and staffs the Wellmont Child Development Center (WCDC), which is licensed for one hundred twenty, on the campus of Bristol Regional Medical Center. The YW s continuous three-star quality rating reflects our commitment to excellence, and the pride in which we deliver our superior service to over two hundred families daily….

Description:

Nurtury Developmental Child Care and Preschool based in Bristol, VA is a licensed child care facility that serves children between the ages of one month to twelve years old. The center has a maximum capacity of50 children and operates Mondays through Fridays from 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM….

Description:

Victory Children’s Center located in Bristol Virginia is a licensed childcare center that offers a nurturing environment to children under its care. It provides developmentally appropriate programs that suitinfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children. The center has a capacity of 105 children at the maximum and serves clients from Mondays through Fridays….

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FAQs for finding daycares near you in Bristol, VA

What are the benefits of daycare near me in Bristol, VA?

Daycare centers near you in Bristol, VA offer a number of benefits to both children and their parents or guardians. For the kids, daycare is an opportunity to learn coping and social skills, explore the world, and form relationships with other children – all while staying active and stimulating their minds with educational activities. For parents and guardians, daycare often provides peace of mind that their children are supervised in a safe and nurturing environment with skilled professionals on board to tackle responsibilities such as discipline, problem solving strategies, and nutrition. All in all, daycare is a valuable resource for families by providing quality childcare and early childhood education services.

What services do daycare centers offer near me in Bristol, VA?

Daycares near you in Bristol, VA provide a range of services that allow children to grow and develop in safe, secure environments. Daycare centers are staffed by qualified professionals who create a caring atmosphere that teach kids lessons fundamental to their well-being, and typically include activities such as playtime, meals, and learning opportunities designed to prepare young minds for the world ahead.

What should I look for in a daycare center near me in Bristol, VA?

Finding the right daycare center near you in Bristol, VA for your child can be an overwhelming experience, but the process can be streamlined with a clear understanding of what to look for. It’s important to consider factors such as certification and accreditation, as well as any health and safety protocols that are in place. Factors such as cost, accessibility, and the quality of care provided are sure to be top of mind as well, and ultimately, selecting the best daycare center will depend on finding one that meets your expectations and your child’s specific needs.

What questions should I ask when looking for a daycare for my child near me in Bristol, VA?

Some questions you might consider asking daycare centers near you in Bristol, VA include: What are the teacher-to-child ratios? What types of activities do you plan as part of the daily program? Is there an outdoor play area and what safety regulations are in place regarding that space? How often is communication provided to parents regarding their child’s progress or issues that arise? Be sure to ask specifics about any policies related to enrollment fees, tuition payments, health and vaccination requirements and anything else that is important to you and your family as well.

Child Care Centers and Preschools in Bristol VA

Child development centers in Bristol vary in size as well as in scope. While some offer progressive curriculums and the latest advancements for preschools, others are more intimate daycare centers that take a more relaxed approach to childcare.
Whatever your priorities, finding the right daycare center for your child is important. We’ve made the seemingly overwhelming task easier by collecting basic information such as size, location, and licensing information for child development centers in Bristol into a single location.
Simply click on the links below to learn more about Bristol childcare centers that are dedicated to providing families with safe, quality childcare.
You can also read reviews about various childcare providers to learn more about which is the right choice for your family. We always welcome comments and corrections, to better the browsing experience on our site.

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Childcare Network #123

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 644-9480

At the heart of any successful program is a curriculum foundation that not only effectively meets a full range of outcomes and objectives, but also supports teachers in a way that allows them to confidently provide new and exciting learning opportuni …

Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire -Virginia Unit

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 669-8921

THE CODE: I believe in God and the right to worship according to my own faith and religion. I believe in America and the American way of life…in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe in fair play, honesty and sportsmanship. I believe i …

Antioch Baptist Church

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 591-1803

Antioch Academy Preschool maintains a non-discriminatory policy based on race, color, and national origin in the administration of its admission and educational policies. In order to be accepted for admission in to Antioch Academy Preschool, parents . ..

Girls Incorporated of Bristol

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 669-8686

“The purpose of the corporation is to enable and empower youth to be productive members of society. The Corporation also inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.”

State Street United Methodist

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 466-8505

Spring Garden Preschool exists as one of the ministries of State Street United Methodist Church. Our primary focus is a Christian Environment, Socialization, and Self-Esteem. We have an open door policy which enables you to contact the church staff a …

Sullins Academy PreSchool and Children’s Center

Bristol, VA 24202 | (276) 669-4101

Our Mission To ensure success for our children in the global community, the mission of Sullins Academy is to provide a positive educational environment, fostering academic excellence while maintaining a commitment to the core values of integrity, hon …

Apple Academy of Central Presbyterian Church

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 669-9328

Apple Academy of Central Presbyterian Church is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 100 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 month – 12 years 11 months. The provider does not participate …

Benhams Child Development Center

Bristol, VA 24202 | (276) 466-9122

Benhams Child Development Center is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 54 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 3 years – 5 years 11 months. The provider does not participate in a subsidiz …

Bristol Child Development Center

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 591-1439

Bristol Child Development Center is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 90 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 month – 5 years 11 months. The provider does not participate in a subsidiz …

Children’s Inc. – by Girls Inc. Bristol

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 696-9732

Children’s Inc. – by Girls Inc. Bristol is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 75 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 5 years – 12 years 11 months. The provider also participates in a sub …

Dreams-High Point Elementary

Bristol, VA 24202 | (276) 645-4780

Dreams-High Point Elementary is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 50 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 4 years – 12 years 11 months. The provider also participates in a subsidized chi …

The Nurtury Developmental Child Care and Preschool, LLC

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 466-4873

The Nurtury Developmental Child Care and Preschool, LLC is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 63 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of Birth – 12 years 11 months. The provider also partici …

Victory Children’s Center

Bristol, VA 24202 | (276) 669-3008

Victory Children’s Center is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 105 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 month – 12 years 11 months. The provider also participates in a subsidized child …

Creative Learning Center

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 466-6490

Creative Learning Center is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 120 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 2 years 6 months – 6 years 11 months. The provider does not participate in a subsid …

North Bristol Baptist Church

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 644-9148

North Bristol Baptist Church is a Religious Exempt Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 65 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 year – 12 years 11 months. The provider does not participate …

St. Anne Catholic Church

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 669-0048

St. Anne Catholic Church is a Religious Exempt Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 72 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 3 years – 12 years 11 months. The provider does not participate in …

TLC Childcare, LLC

Bristol, VA 24201 | (276) 644-4771

TLC Childcare, LLC is a Child Day Center in Bristol VA, with a maximum capacity of 44 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 month – 12 years 11 months. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

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Outdoor recreation – without harm to health rackets, swimsuits, and go … somewhere! It is not difficult to find places for recreation in our small country, it can be more difficult to organize everything so that an attempt to relax in nature does not cause harm to health.

Going to nature, firstly , think: who exactly will go with you? Given the hot weather, and the presence of biting, poisonous and not so insects and reptiles, it is better to leave pets with someone, excluding those that are already used to such trips. Riding in a car and being outdoors for many hours will also not always benefit young children and people with poor health.
Second , take care of sufficient (at least 6 liters per person or animal) amount of drinking water! Many vacation spots have tap water, but should you drink it? If there is no other way out, such water must first be boiled.
Thirdly, , if you are bringing raw food that you are going to cook with you – for example, shish kebabs – you need to disinfect the meat. The easiest way to do this is to add to it, even at the pickling stage, a teaspoon of alcohol or vodka. The fish can be properly salted. And also – for meat, and for fish and for vegetables, spices such as garlic, mustard, saffron, red and black pepper, cloves are very suitable . .. All of them will not only give food a new taste, but also save it from harmful bacteria .
Cooked food must not be left open. It is best to store it in a cooler bag, in plastic boxes. Moreover, this also applies to various sauces, ketchups, mayonnaise – they, even in sealed packaging, should not be left in the heat. Bottles of drinks, especially carbonated ones, should also be kept chilled.
Fourth, , we must not forget that besides people, wasps, bees, mites, snakes, scorpions, and other representatives of the fauna live in nature, which you don’t really want to meet. Ordinary ants will also cause a lot of trouble.
So, before settling down somewhere on the grass, in a shady place, look around carefully: are wasps buzzing nearby, are ants crawling, and are there several holes in the ground or in an old stump – exits from scorpion nests? Do not sit on stones, especially those overgrown with moss, and on fallen trunks. You can’t leave shoes unattended – they can also climb in there . .. brilliant green, and any other medicines that you may need.

Sixth, , keep an eye on children and animals, especially small ones, but already able to run well. If you leave the baby unattended, the rest can turn into a tragedy.

10 interesting facts about nature

10th place : Cap mushrooms known to all grow in 3-6 days, die in 10-14 days. Mushrooms that make up lichens live up to 600 years.

9th place : Ceratonia ( Ceratonia ) from the Caesalpinia family always produces the same seeds, always weighing exactly 0.2 g. Jewelers have used such seeds as weights since antiquity. This measure was called a carat.

8th place : Most often lightning strikes oak, spruce and pine, less often birch and hardly touches poplar, elm, hazel.

7th place : So many insects live on Earth that there are about 250 million for each person. 80% of insect species are herbivores, 15% are predators, 5% are bloodsuckers, corpse-eaters, kaloeds. Insects annually devour 25-30% of the world crop. Analysis of the contents of the stomachs of female mosquitoes caught around settlements shows that 80% of these insects feed on the blood of domestic animals.

6th place : One bee family harvests up to 150 kg of honey during the summer. To collect 1 kg of honey, a bee must visit about 10 million flowers and bring up to 100,000 flowers. servings of nectar.

5th place : Bumblebee flight speed – 18 km per hour; dragonflies – up to 96 km per hour.

4th place : Some birds lose their ability to fly during the molt. So, for example, ducks cannot fly for 20-35 days, swans – almost 1.5 months.

3rd place : The ostrich is the only bird with a bladder.

2nd place : Storks ( Ciconia ) during flights can periodically fall asleep on the fly for 10-15 minutes.

1st place : Lapwing (Vanellus) is quite a common bird in our region. A feature of the lapwing is his ability to give himself an enema, using a long beak into which a portion of water is collected.

The authoritative American magazine Forbes conducted a survey among experts in areas such as urban planning, architecture and sustainable development, asking them to name the most beautiful cities in the world.
According to the results of the survey, Paris was named the most beautiful city in the world, Rosbalt reports with reference to Kleo.ru.
The most famous Parisian sights are the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees and the Grand Palace. Plus, there is one of the best hotels in the world – Ritz. For more than a century, the hotel, created by the architect of the Palace of Versailles, delights with legendary service.
Second place went to the Canadian city of Vancouver. The city’s most famous landmarks are the Coast Ranges and Stanley Park. Experts interviewed by Forbes also noted other parks and green areas of the city.
In third place is the largest Australian city of Sydney, its famous attractions are the harbor and the Harbor Bridge located in it, the Sydney Opera House, and Bondi Beach.
This is followed by the Italian Florence – the Basilica of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Ponte Vecchio bridge, Piazza della Signoria. In fifth place is Venice – canals and gondolas, St. Mark’s Basilica, no cars.
The second half of the top ten looks like this:
* Cape Town (South Africa) – Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Victoria and Alfred Port;
* San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge;
* Chicago – Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile area, Lake Michigan coast;
* New York – Central Park, Empire State Building skyscraper;
* London – Big Ben clock, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and the Cambridge Chapel at King’s College, a tributary of the Great Ouse, Center for Mathematical Sciences;
* In tenth place is the capital of Japan, Tokyo: the most famous sights are the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Tower.
Previously, a rating of cities with the highest level of information technology development was published. The rating was compiled by the American non-profit organization Intelligent Community Forum, which is engaged in research in the field of IT and innovative technologies.
For the rating, the seven most developed cities in this respect are selected annually from 400 applicants around the world. In 2009The top seven looks like this: Bristol (USA, Virginia), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Fredericton (Canada), Issy-les-Moulineaux, Moncton (Canada), Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn (Estonia), Rosbalt writes “.

Unmasked read online by Virginia Henley (Page 16)

Chapter 14

— This is some kind of nightmare! King Charles threw his pen on the table and looked around at the mountains of mortgages, bills of sale and other documents piled up in front of him. – What to do now? He glanced at Chancellor Hyde. “I want to return the confiscated properties to my supporters, but that, as it turns out, is easier said than done.

The Chancellor nodded in the affirmative:

“Yes, Your Majesty. The confiscated estates must be returned to the former owners, but anyone who can produce a deed of sale of the land must be considered the rightful owner of the property.

— And everyone agrees with that? the king asked.

— Yes, your majesty! – the audience answered almost in unison.

Carl picked up another document from the table and waved it in front of Hyde’s nose:

— Another horrible paper… Monk handed me his list of Privy Council members, consisting of forty Presbyterians and other rebels. And among them – only two royalists! The general has now taken a lot of power, and I simply must include him in this list, but I will not introduce the rest of the people he proposed to the council under any circumstances.

“Yes, yes, I agree, Your Majesty,” Hyde nodded hastily. Taking the paper from the king, he added, “I’ll take care of it myself.” I think I’ll make the best of it.

“I’m sure you will,” Karl replied with a smile. “I know you are a born diplomat, Chancellor Hyde, and you do your job well. But in this case, I propose to wait and tell Monk the bad news for him only after I have raised him to ducal dignity, adding to this the appropriate estate. No matter what anyone says, I’m really grateful to Monk. And I’m going to reward him generously.

The king got up and went to another table with geographical maps laid out on it. At this table sat the Earl of Bristol, who was making a list of the Crown’s possessions. Looking at him, Carl asked:

— How are you with the cards, George? The king took one of them and muttered: “Is this all my property in and around London?

“Most of it, at least, sire,” the Count replied.

“Well, let’s see…” The king carefully looked at the map. “But, for example, Albemarle. This estate is worth about nine thousand pounds, not to mention a luxurious house. I propose that Monk be given the title of Duke of Albemarle. Carl returned to his chair at the first table. Glancing at Hyde, he ordered: “Prepare the appropriate decree, Chancellor.

“You asked to be reminded of Newcastle, sir,” Jermyn said.

– Damn it! My good old friend has come to London and I am going to invite him to Whitehall tomorrow to thank him for all he has done for me. From now on, the Earl of Newcastle will become a duke. As for the vacated titles, one of them can be transferred to his son Henry, thus raising the latter to the peerage. I think the title of Marquess of Mansfield would suit him perfectly in that sense.

“But all their estates were confiscated,” Hyde reminded the king.

– Yes, that’s right. But now Nottingham, Bolsover and Welbeck must be returned to them immediately.

Jermyn coughed in embarrassment and took out a document with stamps from a pile of papers.

— What is it, Henry? Karl asked.

“It’s strange, sir, but this document shows that Bolsover belongs to the Earl of Eglinton,” Jermyn replied. “Look…

Karl looked through the papers and exclaimed in amazement:

“God Almighty, complications again!” It turns out that the castle was confiscated and given to some member of Parliament, who, in turn, sold it to Eglinton. And if the bill of sale is executed in accordance with all the rules, then Eglinton will have guaranteed rights to this property.

— Unforeseen complications, right? murmured Edward Hyde.

— Wrong word! That’s horrible! the king exclaimed. He went to the door and beckoned to his page, Will Chiffinch. “Search for the commander of my guard, Captain Montgomery, immediately and bring him here.

Will found Lord Montgomery in the armory where the guards were trying on new equipment. He immediately followed the page, and Karl, greeting him in a friendly way, immediately got down to business:

“You see, Greysteel, there are questions about your property …

— If Bolsover Castle is what you mean, sir, I only learned of it myself from my father’s will. As it turned out, my parent bought it for five thousand pounds from Parliamentary General Fleetwood.

— So you have a bill of sale?

– Quite right, sir.

“That’s the problem, my friend,” Karl muttered with a sigh. “Newcastle has returned to England, and I have invited him to Whitehall to-morrow, in order to duly reward and return his estates confiscated by Cromwell. Looking meaningfully at Graysteel, the king continued: “So, in this connection, the following comes to my mind … If you were to marry the daughter of Newcastle, which, by the way, your guarantee obliges you to do, then Bolsover Castle would go to the Cavendish. That is, the problem would resolve itself. I’m right?

Yes and no, sir.

Carl looked at Graysteel carefully. Then he silently took him by the hand and led him into a small room adjoining the hall.

“Now speak, my friend,” said the king. “No one here can hear us.

— Sir, I did my best to marry Velvet, but she…

— But she refused you, right? The king frowned. – And for what reason?

– On the eve of our wedding, she discovered that I was acting as Monk’s spy. And she thought I betrayed you, ser. She called me a traitor…

— But why the hell didn’t you talk to her?

— First of all, she is partly right. And secondly, and more importantly, I don’t want to explain anything to her. She must believe in me as much as she believes in you, sir. Unconditionally.

Carl laughed merrily:

— How badly you know women, my dear! They are ready to ride us if we only let them. But you knew very well that Velvet is a very wayward girl. And therefore, he should have understood that it was necessary to keep her in line. Carl clapped Graysteel on the shoulder. – Well, I’ll talk to her myself. So consider your single days to be over. You will be married in Whitehall Chapel!

Greysteel didn’t want Velvet to marry him on the king’s orders, but he knew there was no point in arguing. And he silently bowed his head, expressing obedience to the royal will.

After reading the message with the royal coats of arms just delivered to her from the palace, Velvet immediately went in search of her father and found him in the library – fortunately, without his wife.

– Father, I’m invited to Whitehall tomorrow.

“Looks like his majesty wants you to join us for dinner,” the count said.

– Not a word about this in the letter. It is only said that I am invited to an audience at eleven o’clock. Strange that I was invited and not Lady Margaret.

– Nothing strange. His Majesty has decided not only to reward me, but also to give my children what they deserve.

– Please don’t tell Margaret about this. I don’t want her to get into…

“Margaret and Kristin have a lot of things to do tomorrow,” her father interrupted. “They are going to pay a visit to Her Majesty. Queen Henrietta Maria decided to settle in St. James’s Palace.

Velvet nodded and winced involuntarily; she was afraid of the queen and tried her best to avoid her when she came to visit Princess Minetti in the palace of Saint-Germain.

When the Earl of Newcastle arrived with his daughter at the Palace of Whitehall, they were immediately greeted by Progers, the chief royal steward and secretary. And then King Charles appeared in the reception hall, accompanied by his beloved spaniels. Velvet greeted him with a wide smile, curtsied, and then leaned over to caress the dogs.

Karl took the count into a friendly embrace and exclaimed:

— Glad you’re back home, William! Believe me, you were like a father to me. I’m not talking about the huge sacrifices you made on the altar of the Stuart cause. I can hardly ever repay this debt to you.

— Your Majesty, it is my greatest honor to serve you.

“I also invited Henry to join us at dinner,” continued the king. “In the meantime, William, I would like you to rate some of the horses I am about to purchase for the royal stables.

Newcastle grinned:

— With great pleasure, sir.

The king looked at Velvet:

— Mistress Cavendish, may I ask you a favor? Will you take my dogs for a walk while I go about my business? The corridor behind this door leads to the rose garden. Take a walk there for now, I’ll join you soon, okay?

“Yes, of course,” Velvet replied, gasping for joy. Of course, Charles wanted to be alone with her! – Come on, dogs!

She opened the door and the spaniels followed her decorously into the garden.

— Now, William, I would like you to take a look at my new bay gelding first. He is very tall and his name is Rowley. Progers will show you his stall. For the time being, I will talk to your daughter for a few minutes, and then I will immediately come to the stable.

The dogs, jumping out onto the lawn, immediately started a game called “bite and run”, and Velvet went to the luxurious rose bushes, exuding a wonderful and completely unique aroma. When the tall figure of Charles appeared from the side of the palace, the girl’s heart began to beat loudly.

He walked up to her and called her the name she had hated since childhood.

– Lady Elizabeth, when I invited you to join the royal court, I expected to replenish my staff of court ladies with a married woman.

– But, Charles…

– You can call me “sire”. ..

Velvet’s throat is tight; she completely forgot that the king is very changeable, so that, along with warmth and friendly disposition, he could also demonstrate coldness.

“Marriage is not possible, sir,” she replied, looking down.

— Is it really impossible? As far as I know, Lord Montgomery has made you an offer. However, for reasons unknown to me, it was rejected.

– He betrayed you, sir. Served as a secret agent for Monk. They exchanged encrypted messages. You brought a traitor closer to you!

– You don’t know anything about this case, milady. And they should not know, since this is an extremely secret matter. Montgomery acted as an intermediary in my negotiations with Monk. Over the past year, he risked his life dozens of times, secretly crossing the Channel in both directions.

Velvet flinched and grabbed her throat.

“But I… had no idea about that, sire,” she muttered.

— Be that as it may, you need to apologize to the Count.

– Count? But I didn’t know that Graysteel’s father was dead.

– And your apologies, my lady, must be sincere if you want to be the Countess of Eglinton. And one more thing … – A cheerful spark shone in the eyes of the king. “I want to bring to your attention that Lord Montgomery owns Bolsover Castle quite legally. Therefore, in order to return the castle to the Cavendish family, you will have to marry him. I think Graysteel would be happy to give you Bolsover as a wedding present.

Karl picked a dark red rose from a bush and presented it to the girl with a gallant bow.

– I will be very happy if your wedding takes place in the very near future. You will make a charming countess, Velvet.

She froze, as if petrified. The king called his dogs with a whistle and went to the exit from the garden.

Velvet didn’t know how long she stood by the rose bushes. All her thoughts and feelings were in complete disarray, and she did not even understand how she got to her father’s carriage, which was standing at the front entrance to the palace. She sat in the carriage for an hour, perhaps two; Finally, her father appeared before her and exclaimed with a joyful smile:0005

– Dear, congratulate me! His Majesty has most graciously awarded me the Order of the Garter! Besides, I’ve been raised to the dignity of a duke!

— Oh, congratulations, father!

Velvet was really happy for him.

— But that’s not all, dear. His Majesty has most graciously granted your brother Henry the title of Marquess of Mansfield. We Cavendishes are truly in favor with our king.

“Yes, indeed…” Velvet muttered.

It was clear, however, that, unlike the rest of the family, she was not in favor with the most merciful sovereign. Moreover, the only way she could win back his favor was if she married Graysteel Montgomery.

— In addition, King Charles has assured me that Nottingham Castle, as well as Welbeck Abbey, will be returned to us by act of Parliament.

Velvet held her breath. My father didn’t say a word about Bolsover Castle. But Karl hardly told him anything about this possession. Most likely he made it clear that the return of the castle entirely depends on his daughter.

— Tell me, father, did the king say anything about my marriage?

Yes, I did. He expressed the hope that the wedding would follow immediately. Montgomery has become an earl, and, therefore, he is now a very profitable match, and besides, dear, you have not grown younger in recent years.

Her father’s last words rang in her ears for a long time. As for everything else, Velvet tried not to think about it. She decided that she would think things through when she was in her bedroom.

At dinner, the dowager countess listened for a long time to the story of Newcastle, who described in every detail the meeting with the king. When he finished, he suddenly frowned and grunted:

“I think Karl has firmly decided that the murderers of his father will be put on trial for treason.

Everyone nodded in agreement, after which Kristin, obviously wanting to change the subject, turned to Velvet with a smile and asked:

— How was your day, dear?

The girl involuntarily sighed.

— Well… I was entrusted with walking the royal spaniels. Then I spent probably at least an hour walking around the Whitehall grounds, admiring the picturesque views. – With these words, she put a napkin on the table and rose from the table. “Excuse me, but I have to go. Tomorrow night there is a reception at the Palmers’ to which I have been invited, and I still have a few finishing stitches left to do on my evening gown.

All alone in her bedroom, Velvet fell into deep thought. Her first thought was to Rowhampton, where a few months ago – and it seemed to her like an eternity ago – she and Graysteel had been truly happy. Then she sincerely believed that she had fallen in love with him without a memory, and the days and nights spent with him only strengthened her in this confidence. And then … then she suddenly found the uniform of an officer of the army of parliament in his wardrobe and found encrypted letters in his desk … And she decided that he was a traitor.

When she brought charges against him, he denied nothing. But why, why didn’t he explain anything to her? Perhaps the whole point is that Montgomery is too proud to deny anything or justify himself, especially in front of a woman.

Velvet tried to put herself in Graysteel’s shoes and realized what a terrible insult her accusations must have seemed to him, especially since he had risked his life more than once to help Karl in his struggle.

Yes, I insulted him terribly, Velvet thought, feeling herself blush with shame. “And of course, I owe him an apology and beg for his forgiveness.” She immediately took out paper and pen and wrote a short message to Graysteel, asking permission to visit him. And then, as she laid down her pen, she suddenly remembered Charles’ words about Bolsover Castle, that the castle was Graysteel’s rightful property.

— I wonder how he managed to become the rightful owner of Bolsover Castle? It just can’t be… Nevertheless, the king is absolutely convinced of it,” Velvet muttered, biting her lips. “Well, that swarthy devil Greysteel will have to show me the proof before I believe him!”

And then Velvet suddenly realized that she was setting herself up against her fiancé on purpose.

— What if he really has evidence? Worse, what would happen if he lost all desire to marry me?

Filled with doubts and forebodings, Velvet finally went to bed, but sleep did not come, and she tossed and turned in bed for two hours before she could doze off. And before dawn she had a dream in which she stood between two silent tall men with black hair. But instead of approaching her, they suddenly turned away from her and headed in the opposite direction.

Chapter 15

Dressed in a lovely green silk dress trimmed with silver ribbons, Velvet sat across from Christine in the carriage that sped them to the Palmers’ house on King Street. She had been waiting all day for an answer to her note sent to Montgomery, and was terribly disappointed that her expectations were in vain.

This power-hungry demon seems to be punishing me by making me wait for an answer, she thought. “No doubt he wants to bring me to my knees in this way.”

Unbeknownst to her, Graysteel had written to the Dowager Countess the day before, informing her that he would attend the evening at the Palmers’. He also asked Kristin to take Velvet to the evening – but not to tell her that she would be there too.

“If you were a married lady, dear, you could go wherever you please without taking a boring old lady like me as a companion,” said the Dowager Countess with a smile.

— Oh, my lady, I feel very good in your company, so I apologize for the fact that I sometimes have to drag you out of the house in the evenings. – Here Velvet suddenly remembered the words of the king during the audience and asked: – Is it true that at the royal court it is preferable to have married women rather than maidens in the court staff?

– Maidens were in fashion at the court of Queen Elizabeth, but since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, times have changed. Christine looked out of the carriage window. “King Charles is about to marry, and married ladies from the most noble families should adorn the queen’s court. Such, for example, as the Countess of Suffolk.

Velvet sighed softly. She always loved Charles, and in childhood she even believed that he would marry her. Nevertheless, the idea of ​​becoming one of the court ladies of the new queen seemed to her very attractive.

— Now that you have explained everything to me, milady, I certainly understand why married ladies are preferred to be hired as courtiers. By the way, I would be the Countess of Eglinton now if there hadn’t been such a monstrous misunderstanding between me and Montgomery, Velvet added mentally.

– This is Whitehall! Christine exclaimed. “And King Street is just around the corner, so we’ll be at the Palmers in a few minutes. I think their house is an impressive sight.

Getting out of the carriage, they saw other guests invited to the evening at the Palmers.