Fairest of Them All (Marriage by Fairytale Book 4)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Maud shrugged. “I got used to holding them ever since Sheridan’s taken an interest in them. He wasn’t able to catch this one.” She turned and showed it to the lad.

  Sheridan leaned forward so far that he would have fallen over if Evander hadn’t been holding him. Sheridan reached into her cupped hands and petted the bug.

  Viola shook her head. “I hope you’re not thinking of keeping that thing in a jar. I don’t like those things in the manor. I always worry they’ll get loose.”

  “Better a bug than a mouse,” Maud replied.

  Viola shivered.

  Sheridan let out an excited squeal and jumped off Evander’s lap. He ran out of the gazebo as fast as his little legs would take him.

  “I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Evander assured Viola as he stood up. “He’s not interested in it anymore.”

  “A young boy’s fancy is fleeting.” Maud let the insect go.

  Evander followed Sheridan, wondering what had gotten his son all worked up. He caught up to him and picked him up. “Where are you going?”

  “Tabbie! Allen!” Sheridan pointed to the north of the property.

  Evander looked over and saw the familiar carriage coming toward the manor. “You have good eyes.”

  He paused and called out to Maud and Viola that Tabitha and Allen had arrived. Since Sheridan was impatient, he walked on ahead with the boy. Tabitha had written and said she would come by with Allen to see the newest addition to the family.

  The carriage was at the entrance, and Tabitha and Allen were being greeted by the staff by the time Evander got there. Evander noted the baby in Tabitha’s arms and quickened his pace.

  Tabitha was the first to notice him. “Now we can’t surprise you. You’ve already seen our daughter.”

  “I didn’t know you were expecting a child. You didn’t say anything to me or Viola about it.” Then, thinking it fun to tease her, he asked, “Did you even bother telling your husband?”

  Allen nodded. “Yes, I knew, but she swore me to secrecy.”

  “I did. He didn’t feel right about it, but I promised him no one would be upset with him.” She gave Evander a pointed look. “And you won’t be, will you?”

  “No, but I can’t say what Viola will do,” Evander said. “She still talks about your elopement from time to time.”

  “But that happened years ago,” Tabitha replied in surprise.

  “I know,” Evander said, “but she keeps wondering how she missed the little clues that would have let her know you and Allen were in love. It doesn’t help that Maud says it was obvious.” His gaze went to the baby she was holding. “How old is she, and what’s her name?”

  “She’s five months old, and her name is Rachel. I thought I’d name her after my mother.”

  “She would have liked that. It’s an excellent way to remember her. She was a good lady.” His gaze went to Allen. “You would have liked her.”

  “Are my eyes deceiving me?” Viola asked as she and Maud reached them. Viola bypassed Evander and stared at the baby in Tabitha’s arms. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to have a child?”

  “I wanted to see the look on your face when I surprised you,” Tabitha said with a laugh. “I wasn’t there when you heard about the elopement, and since your sisters say they’d never seen your eyes so large or your mouth fall so far open, I was sorry I missed it.”

  “She almost fainted, too,” Maud added.

  “Well, this only proves we have a lot to catch up on,” Evander said. “We should go inside. I’m sure you two would like something to eat and drink after traveling all the way here. I’ll also need to arrange for your rooms to be ready and get something to make Rachel comfortable.” He looked at Sheridan. “That is your niece. You’re not only a big brother to Blanche, but you’re an uncle to Rachel.”

  Maud turned to Viola. “That makes you a grandmother. I suppose you could say you’re a step-grandmother, but that only gets complicated.”

  Viola’s eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped. “A grandmother?”

  “You better take my little sister before Viola drops her,” Tabitha told Maud.

  Maud did.

  Tabitha gave Rachel to Allen, and then she went to Viola and put her arm around her shoulders. “Since you’re so old, you can lean on me.”

  Viola gasped. “I’m not old. I just had a baby a couple of months ago.”

  “Whatever you say, Grandmother,” Tabitha teased.

  “Oh, I think I’m getting a headache.” Viola rubbed her forehead. “I just can’t comprehend all of this. My daughter’s too young to be an aunt, and my son’s too young to be an uncle. This is all happening too fast.”

  “She’ll adjust to it,” Maud assured everyone. “It took her a few days to fully accept the elopement. She’ll come to accept this, too.”

  The others laughed, and they headed for the manor. Evander was secretly as overwhelmed by thinking he was a grandfather. Viola wasn’t the only one who was going to need to get used to it. But it was worth it. Everyone was happy, and that was what mattered most.

  Coming Early 2020!

  The Duke’s Secluded Bride

  (Marriage by Fairytale Series: Book 5)

  Most gentlemen wait to get married because they want time to enjoy being a bachelor before taking on the responsibilities of a married gentleman. Baldwin Darby, the Duke of Edmondstone, isn’t one of them. The life of a rogue never appealed to him. He’s wanted nothing more than to fall in love and live a quiet and uneventful life ever since he could remember. It wasn’t by choice that he hasn’t married yet. He’s just not very comfortable around ladies, which makes the marriage mart difficult for him.

  So when his acquaintance mentions a sister at his country estate who is ready for marriage, he jumps at the chance for an arranged marriage. He’s been told she is extremely shy and that it takes her time to open up around strangers, so he might find her a bit strange when he initially meets her. But this doesn’t bother him. He’s a patient gentleman and can give her time to get used to him.

  What he doesn’t count on, however, is just how strange everything is when he gets to the country estate. There were many things his acquaintance had left out, and it’ll leave him wondering if he made a mistake in marrying a lady without getting the chance to know her first.

  *This is loosely based off the Rapunzel fairy tale.

  Already Available in the Marriage by Fairytale Series

  The Marriage Contract (Book 1)

  On her wedding day, Patricia Cotter, the widowed Lady of Pruett, signed a contract agreeing to the following:

  1. She would never look at her husband’s face.

  2. She would never remove the sheets covering the mirrors.

  3. She would never ask her husband about his past.

  In return for doing these things, she will have a secure place for her unborn child and her worries will be over. She has nothing to lose by agreeing to her husband’s terms. Yes, she’s heard the rumors about Mr. Stephen Bachman. He was said to have killed his first wife, though there is no proof condemning him of the crime. He is aloof and never leaves his manor. He is practically a prisoner in his own home.

  But as she gets to know him, she begins to believe her husband isn’t the beast everyone’s made him out to be. There just might be a gentleman worth loving beneath his hard exterior. The question is, can she get him to let go of the past so he can open himself up to the possibility of a fairytale romance?

  ***

  One Enchanted Evening (Book 2)

  Lewis Cotter, the Earl of Pruett, has just inherited his title, and his first order of business is to find a wife. He never thought he would need to get married, but after the death of his older brother, it’s up to him to secure the estate.

  While he has to marry for money, he doesn’t want to marry just anyone. He wants a love match. But he doesn’t even know where to begin in finding the perfect bride. And worse, he has a terrible time being romantic. He
doesn’t know the first thing about being a suitor.

  His friend offers the perfect solution to his problem. He’ll host a masquerade ball and invite all of the available wealthy ladies in London to attend. Then, Lewis can meet them, and the masks will help Lewis overcome his shyness.

  Miss Marcy Shoemark hadn’t originally planned to go to the ball. She’s a lady’s maid. She has no money to offer a prospective husband. But when she finds out the purpose of the masquerade ball is for Lewis to find a wife, she decides to attend it. She’s been secretly in love with him, and this is the one chance she has to get him to know her as a lady, not as a servant who’s out of his reach.

  Her plan works. She manages to get his attention. But sooner or later, the masquerade has to end, and she has to reveal the fact that she’s only a servant. Will he still want to marry her once he discovers the truth? Or will he choose a wealthy lady who can secure his estate?

  ***

  The Wedding Pact (Book 3)

  On her 21st birthday, Ophelia was due to marry her guardian. Only she didn’t know it.

  Miss Ophelia Crowe has led an extremely sheltered life. After her parents died when she was five, she went to live at her guardian’s country estate. She went on to live a life where everything was managed for her. From what she could wear to what activities she could do, each and every day had been carefully structured by the servants.

  The problem was, she didn’t know who her guardian was.

  Until the morning of her 21st birthday when the maids present her to him looking more like a doll than a lady who would like to have a say in her future. And a doll is exactly the way he treats her. She comes to realize just how much he’s structured her life so that she’s been trained to be the kind of wife he wants.

  Well, she’s decided she won’t marry him. In a bold move, she runs off on a horse in the night in order to escape the fate everyone has set out for her ever since she was a child.

  All Vicar Julian Roskin wants is to lead a quiet life. He’s caused enough trouble in the past. He doesn’t need any more problems. But, late one night, his safe and predictable world is turned upside down when a beautiful young lady ends up on his doorstep in need of protection. Protection, in this case, will require him to marry her.

  Reason tells him not to do it. Nothing good can come from marriage to a lady he doesn’t know anything about. But something about her demands he take her up on her offer. Dare he take the risk, or should he do everything he can to send her back?

  This is loosely inspired by the Little Red Riding Hood story.

  All Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

  (Chronological Order)

  Regencies

  Marriage by Scandal Series

  The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife

  A Most Unsuitable Earl

  His Reluctant Lady

  The Earl’s Scandalous Wife

  Standalone Regency

  Her Counterfeit Husband (happens during A Most Unsuitable Earl)

  Marriage by Deceit Series

  The Earl’s Secret Bargain

  Love Lessons With the Duke

  Ruined by the Earl

  The Earl’s Stolen Bride

  Marriage by Arrangement Series

  His Wicked Lady

  Her Devilish Marquess

  The Earl’s Wallflower Bride

  Marriage by Bargain Series

  The Viscount’s Runaway Bride

  The Rake’s Vow

  Taming The Viscountess

  If It Takes A Scandal

  Marriage by Fate Series

  The Reclusive Earl

  Married In Haste

  Make Believe Bride

  The Perfect Duke

  Kidnapping the Viscount

  Marriage by Fairytale Series

  The Marriage Contract

  One Enchanted Evening

  The Wedding Pact

  Fairest of Them All

  The Duke’s Secluded Bride

  Historical Western Romances

  Pioneer Series

  Wagon Trail Bride

  The Marriage Agreement

  Groom For Hire

  Forced Into Marriage

  Nebraska Series

  Her Heart’s Desire

  A Bride for Tom

  A Husband for Margaret

  Eye of the Beholder

  The Wrong Husband

  Shotgun Groom

  To Have and To Hold

  His Redeeming Bride

  Forever Yours

  Isaac’s Decision

  Misled Mail Order Brides Series

  The Bride Price

  The Rejected Groom

  The Perfect Wife

  The Imperfect Husband

  Chance at Love Series

  The Convenient Mail Order Bride

  The Mistaken Mail Order Bride

  The Accidental Mail Order Bride

  The Bargain Mail Order Bride

  South Dakota Series

  Loving Eliza

  Bid for a Bride

  Bride of Second Chances

  Montana Collection

  Mitch’s Win

  Boaz’s Wager

  Patty’s Gamble

  Shane’s Deal

  Native American Romance Series

  Restoring Hope

  A Chance In Time

  Brave Beginnings

  Bound by Honor, Bound by Love

  Virginia Series

  An Unlikely Place for Love

  The Cold Wife

  An Inconvenient Marriage

  Romancing Adrienne

  Standalone Historical Western Romances

  Falling In Love With Her Husband

  Kent Ashton’s Backstory

  Catching Kent

  His Convenient Wife

  Meant To Be

  The Mail Order Bride’s Deception

  Contemporary Romances

  Omaha Series

  With This Ring, I Thee Dread

  What Nathan Wants

  Just Good Friends

  Across the Stars Series

  Suddenly a Bride

  Runaway Bride

  His Abducted Bride

  Standalone Contemporaries

  Substitute Bride

  Co-Authored Romances

  Historical Romance Anthologies (with Janet Syas Nitsick)

  Bride by Arrangement

  A Groom’s Promise

  Thrillers

  Return of the Aliens (Christian End-Times Novel)

  Late One Night (flash fiction)

  The Very True Legends of Ol’ Man Wickleberry and his Demise - Ink Slingers’ Anthology

  Fantasies

  Enchanted Galaxy Series

  A Royal Engagement

  Royal Hearts

  The Royal Pursuit

  Royal Heiress

  Nonfiction

  Writing Tips Series

  11 Tips for New Writers

  The Emotionally Engaging Character

  Where to Find Ruth

  My Monthly Newsletter: https://ruthannnordinnewsletter.com Great for if you want a quick monthly update on what books I’m working on.

  My Blog: https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com Great for if you want a more personal connection with what I’m writing, my thoughts on writing/publishing, and other topics that pique my interest.

  My Website: http://www.ruthannnordin.com Great for a quick look at what books are due out soon and what books I have already published according to genre. This is an overview of all I do.

 

 

 
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