The Money Moon: A Romance

In Short

The Money Moon: A Romance is a idyllic pastoral romance set in the timeless countryside of Kent. When the affluent American George Bellew sets off to walk away his romantic disappointment, he stumbles upon Dapplemere Farm and its small, charming ecosystem. He swiftly befriends a imaginative young boy, falls deeply in love with the boy’s proud aunt, and uses his vast fortune and quiet ingenuity to save her imperiled estate. The novel has endured as a sweet, optimistic fairy tale about kindness, community, and the transformative power of simple human decency.

The Story

The narrative opens following a disappointment in love. George Bellew, a wealthy young man of leisure, learns that his former love, Sylvia Marchmont, is marrying the Duke of Ryde. Seeking to escape his gloom and clear his head, Bellew embarks on a walking tour through the English countryside. His aimless wandering comes to a sudden halt when he quite literally stumbles upon "Small Porges"—a tiny, coppery-haired boy named George who is out hunting for a mythical fortune to help his aunt.

Small Porges leads Bellew to Dapplemere, an ancient, multi-gabled farm that has stood since the reign of Henry VIII. The farm is run by the boy's aunt, Anthea Devine, a fierce, independent woman struggling under a crushing weight of debt. Dapplemere is burdened by a mortgage of over three thousand pounds held by a grasping corn-chandler named Mr. Grimes, who threatens to sell off the estate's heirloom furniture and evict the family. Bellew, captivated by the enchantment of the farm and instantly smitten with Anthea, contrives to stay on as a paying boarder at four pounds a week, immersing himself in the quiet life of Arcadia.

Life at Dapplemere is filled with eccentric, warm-hearted characters: Aunt Priscilla, a spirited old woman with a sharp mind and a crutch-stick; Sergeant Appleby, a timid, one-armed veteran who has courted Priscilla silently for five years under the guise of admiring her peaches; and Adam, a loyal farmhand who fiercely guards Anthea’s interests. Bellew quietly resolves to save the estate without wounding Anthea's immense pride. To do this, he collaborates with Small Porges on a quest to find a "Money Moon"—a magical time when fortunes are unearthed.

Bellew secretly buys up the auctioned farm furniture through intermediaries and arranges to have it secretly restored to the house. When the threat of foreclosing the mortgage looms large, Bellew travels to London, draws thousands of pounds in gold and notes, and buries a sack in the orchard under the roots of a giant tree named "King Arthur." He then guides Small Porges to "dig up" the buried treasure during the full moon, convincing the boy and Anthea that their prayers for a fortune have been answered.

Although Anthea initially resists Bellew out of pride and a fear of her own growing feelings, the truth of his nobility and devotion eventually overcomes her reserve. After a series of misunderstandings—including a brief, agonizing threat that she might marry another suitor out of financial desperation—Anthea admits her love. The novel concludes in the moonlit garden of Dapplemere, where Bellew and Anthea embrace, their future secured alongside Small Porges and the devoted community of Arcadia.

How It Unfolds

The broken engagement George Bellew learns that Sylvia Marchmont has married the Duke of Ryde, prompting him to abandon his luxurious lifestyle and set out on a rustic walking tour across the English countryside to clear his mind.

Meeting Small Porges While resting along a quiet lane, Bellew is surprised by a small boy who tumbles through a hedge; the two strike up an immediate friendship over bread, jam, and stories of mythical adventures.

Arrival at Dapplemere Bellew follows the boy to Dapplemere Farm, where he meets the proud, beautiful Anthea Devine and secures lodging as a boarder to help ease her immediate financial burdens.

The looming debt Bellew discovers that the ruthless corn-chandler Mr. Grimes holds a mortgage of over three thousand pounds on Dapplemere and intends to strip the farm of its historic furnishings.

Courting Aunt Priscilla Sergeant Appleby, a timid one-armed veteran, musters the courage after five years of silent adoration to accept a ripe peach from Miss Priscilla, signaling the start of their long-awaited romance.

The auction and secret return When the farm’s antique furniture is put up for sale, Bellew secretly bids on the items and works with the farmhand Adam to return every piece to its original place before Anthea notices.

The quest for the Money Moon Bellew travels to London to secure a heavy sack of gold and banknotes, hiding it near the roots of an ancient oak tree so Small Porges can "discover" it under the full moon.

Unearthed treasure Small Porges digs up the hidden sack in the orchard, believing his prayers have been answered, which effectively clears Dapplemere’s debts and frees Anthea from financial ruin.

Love in Arcadia Anthea finally sets aside her fierce pride, admits her long-standing love for Bellew at the old sun-dial, and accepts his proposal to build a life together.

The People

George Bellew ("Big Porges") A rich, easygoing American who initially wanders into the countryside to nurse a bruised ego after losing his former love. He wants purpose and happiness, which he finds by using his immense wealth quietly to solve the troubles of Dapplemere Farm. Through his devotion to Anthea and his bond with her nephew, he transforms from a bored man of leisure into a deeply committed protector and partner.

Anthea Devine The proud, hardworking mistress of Dapplemere Farm who wants above all else to save her ancestral home and raise her young nephew. Her fierce independence stands as her greatest obstacle, making it difficult for her to accept help or acknowledge her feelings for Bellew. By the end, she learns to surrender her rigid self-reliance, accepting Bellew's love and the security he brings.

Small Porges (Georgy) Anthea's diminutive, coppery-haired nephew, who possesses an unshakeable faith in fairy tales, magic, and answered prayers. He wants a fortune to save his aunt from poverty and a father figure to complete their family. His naive determination drives much of the plot, ultimately leading Bellew to stage the "Money Moon" treasure hunt.

Sergeant Appleby A gentle, one-armed military veteran who has spent five years attempting to express his love for Miss Priscilla under the pretext of inspecting her peach trees. His extreme diffidence keeps him from speaking, but with a little encouragement from Bellew and Anthea, he finally steps forward to win Priscilla’s hand.

Miss Priscilla Anthea's sharp-witted, affectionate aunt who manages the household from her armchair with the help of a crutch-stick. She sees through everyone's pretenses, encourages the romance between Bellew and Anthea, and eagerly awaits the Sergeant's slow-moving courtship.

In Its Own Voice

"Four pounds a week! So Anthea stood, lost in frowning thought until meeting his frank smile, she laughed."

Anthea struggles to balance her intense personal pride against the desperate financial realities of running Dapplemere Farm.

"'It's an awful big place to dig up a fortune in!' said Small Porges, glancing about."

Small Porges approaches the vast orchard with total faith, entirely convinced that his prayers for a miracle will be answered under the full moon.

"'Time, and youthe do flee awaie, Love, Oh! Love then, whiles ye may.'"

Bellew reads the ancient inscription carved into the worn garden sun-dial, reflecting the central imperative that guides his romance with Anthea.

What It's Really About

Underneath its fairy-tale plot of hidden treasure and knightly rescue, The Money Moon is a gentle meditation on the nature of wealth, generosity, and pride. The novel contrasts the cold, transactional world of high society and mortgages with the organic warmth of Arcadia, arguing that true riches lie in human connection and selfless giving. Bellew’s journey shows that money only gains true value when it is used to preserve beauty, ease suffering, and bring joy to others. Meanwhile, Anthea’s arc explores the danger of hubris; her stubborn pride nearly destroys her happiness until she learns that accepting help is not a weakness, but an act of trust and love.

Why Read It Today

The Money Moon offers an unabashedly optimistic escape into a sunlit, pastoral England where good intentions always triumph and chivalry is alive and well. Reading it feels like stepping into a warm, golden afternoon; it is a story governed by simple virtues, cozy hearths, and playful humor.

The book is ideal for readers who cherish classic romance, cozy country aesthetics, and stories of unexpected family bonds. However, modern readers should be prepared for its unapologetic sentimentality and slow, deliberate pacing. The narrative relies heavily on period conventions—including dialect-heavy dialogue from rural characters like Adam, idealized depictions of country life, and a romantic structure where coincidences routinely resolve major conflicts. Yet, despite these idyllic liberties, the story’s genuine warmth, crisp dialogue, and sweet affection between Big and Small Porges leave a lasting, comforting impression.