by Jenna Brandt
The French Encounter
Window to the Heart Saga
Jenna Brandt
Contents
Copyright
Description
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Preview of The American Conquest (Book 3)
Acknowledgments
About the Author
A Note from the Author
Also by Jenna Brandt
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locale and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or actual locations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved.
Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Window to the Heart Saga © Jenna Brandt 2017.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author, exception the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email [email protected].
Cover design by Alexia Purdy with photo copyright by 123RF.com © Jennifer Barrow, 123RF.com © Miroslav Pinkava and 123RF.com © Evgeniya Tiplyashina
Description
Window to the Heart Saga: a recountal of the trials, adventures and relationships of the family and friends of Lady Margaret. The first three books detail her journey and spin-off books focus on her friends. The series has compelling themes of love, faith and hope.
The English Proposal (Book 1). Sheltered on her family’s country estate, Lady Margaret, the daughter of an English Earl, is betrothed due to a family promise. Although Henry, the Viscount Rolantry, has been her best friend since childhood and she is expected to marry him, she never felt butterflies until she meets the Duke of Witherton. Against her father’s wishes, Margaret finds herself captivated by the forbidden duke. Caught between family loyalty and her own wishes, Margaret searches for a way to satisfy both her responsibilities and her longings. When tragedy strikes, Margaret finds herself seeking answers at church. But when she finally makes her choice, through her newfound faith, will she be able to live with the repercussions of her decision?
Profoundly romantic and superbly riveting, The English Proposal explores the conflict between fulfilling duties and satiating desires.
The French Encounter (Book 2). Her life ruined, Lady Margaret, Countess of Renwick, must flee from England with her infant son to hide from the man who destroyed her life and from the sister-in-law who hates her. Relentlessly, the duke and viscountess hunt for them, the viscountess planning to take the child to whom she feels entitled; the duke determined to take Margaret for himself. Margaret turns to God, believing he will protect her family and help her find her long-lost twin brother, Randall. While searching for Randall in France, Margaret is pursued by two enticing men: Pierre, the alluring Vidame of Demoulin, and Michel, the powerful Marquis de Beadier. One man promises passion while the other offers security. Will Margaret surrender the chance for love to secure her safety?
Deeply passionate and intensely gripping, The French Encounter weighs the struggle between giving in to temptation and sacrificing for refuge.
The American Conquest (Book 3) Running from a tainted past, Lady Margaret must leave Europe forever and escape across the ocean to America. The plan: to brave the Oregon Trail to reach the Colorado territory where her family’s future awaits. While facing adversities in the new frontier, Margaret must trust God to keep their family safe. Attacked by Indians, the group is saved by Cortland Westcott, a rancher and devoted Christian. Margaret and Cort have an instant connection through their faith, but devastating secrets threaten to cripple the budding relationship. Both Margaret and Cort must confront a past that haunts them to finally be able to make a new life together. Will Margaret finally come to terms with what happened to her, or will she let her past destroy her future?
Will Lady Margaret finally be free from her past, allowing her to embrace her soul mate? Extremely tender and magnificently exhilarating, The American Conquest examines the journey between healing a broken heart and making room for rebirth.
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 4) After Amelie Leclaire's parents pass away in a tragic accident, she must return home to West Linn, Oregon to take over the family bakery. Amelie was training to be a midwife but must give up her plans in an attempt to provide a stable life for her younger sister. Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, is traveling to West Linn on business. A chance meeting at the bakery and Pierre is instantly intrigued by the alluring Miss Leclaire, she on the other hand, is less impressed until she gets to know him. Through many trials and setbacks, will the couple be able to form a lasting relationship or will his past and her financial problems put an end to their potential?
Exceptionally sincere and wondrously engaging, The Oregon Pursuit shows the journey between letting go of a troubled past and finding new hope.
The White Wedding (Book 5) Debbey McCoy is the daughter of the local pastor in West Linn at the end of Oregon Trail. Lord William Almonbury is the second son of an English viscount. Their world's collide when William travels to West Linn for a new business venture. The connection is instant and a Christmas wedding is planned. Debbey always wanted a snow-covered wedding but when the big day is pushed forward due to a family illness in England, will she get the white wedding of which she always dreamed?
A stand alone HEA short story from the bestselling Window to the Heart Saga series, featuring two of the characters from the already released 4th book, novella and upcoming book in 2018.
The Christmas Bride (Book 6) Lucy Rogers traveled west, running from a troubled past. As a new Christian, she meets and forms a relationship with Matthew McCoy, the son of the local pastor. Lucy runs the Trail’s End Saloon while Matthew works for the local saw mill. As they plan their Christmas wedding, Lucy’s past comes back to haunt her. Will her past allow them to build a future together?
The first stand alone HEA novella in the Window to the Heart Saga featuring two characters from the 4th book and short story. A heartfelt, sweet read full of romance, sure to warm your heart this holday season.
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any
of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
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To my husband, Dustin.
We have shared numerous moments of joy and loss,
and through it all, you have been my anchor in the storm.
Here is to twenty years of love and friendship.
Looking forward to twenty more.
Prologue
1863 London, England
“Why are you doing this, Catherine? What has made you not trust me?” Margaret pleaded with her sister-in-law.
“I’ve heard the rumors, Margaret. I know about the night you were at the duke’s estate; how Henry caught you two alone and your state of dishevel. I can’t fathom why my brother chose to hide your infidelity—perhaps out of a misguided sense of duty, maybe because he did not want to let anyone know you had made a cuckold of him, or most disturbing of all, due to his inability to stop loving you—but I won’t pretend you didn’t do it now that he’s gone.”
Margaret flinched at the cold words her one-time friend spewed at her. “I miss him too, Catherine. I know you want someone to blame for his death, but it was bandits that set upon the carriage the night he… he—” Margaret could not finish saying the words.
“The night he was killed. Go on, say it. It’s what happened,” Catherine stated with bitterness. “Henry wouldn’t have been going to get the doctor at all, except to bring him here to see you. And for what? Nothing was wrong with the baby, and your fool’s errand cost my brother his life.”
Catherine’s words hit Margaret where she was most vulnerable. Deep down, she blamed herself as much as Catherine did.
Her fear had caused her to panic. When she had not felt the baby kick for an entire day, she had confided in Henry she was worried the child had passed. It had been her concern that had sent Henry to fetch the doctor in the middle of the night. If he had not been out so late, the bandits would not have been able to accost his carriage in Hyde Park.
In the days that followed after Henry’s death, Margaret often wondered what happened to her husband that night. Did he try to fight them off? Did he give them what they wanted, but they killed him anyway? They left no survivors, and without any witnesses to ask, Margaret was left with only questions and regret.
“I’m taking over the Rolantry family affairs, which means I get to decide what happens to you.”
“You can’t do this,” Margaret protested. “The child I’m carrying is the heir to the Rolantry family.”
“If the child is Henry’s, but that is most definitely in question. It could just as easily be the Duke of Witherton’s bastard.”
Margaret flinched at the hurtful false accusation. Quickly, she defended the unborn baby. “This is Henry’s son, and the future Viscount Rolantry.”
“Well, we shall see quite quickly if the baby is not what you claim it to be. If the child is Henry’s, I will be taking it and raising it as the Rolantry heir without your help.”
“You cannot take my child!”
“I can and I will. If you try to fight me, I will reveal everything surrounding your sordid past with the duke and ruin you. Then both you and your child will have nothing. If you want this baby to have a future, you will relinquish your claim to it.”
“You are doing this out of a mistaken idea of who I am. I loved Henry; I still do. And I was faithful to your brother.”
“Is that so? Then why did one of the servants tell me the duke was spotted exiting from this residence just two days past. It is the reason I came here; to make certain you knew I would not tolerate you behaving in such a manner. What possible reason did he have for coming here other than to continue your vile dalliance now that my brother is dead? Or perhaps to check on his baby?”
Margaret stiffened under the allegations as her mind drifted back to the night the duke ambushed her at the Rolantry London estate.
“What are you doing here?” Margaret blasted, looking up from the window she sat by. “Why would my servants let you in under the circumstances?”
“Because they knew it would be unacceptable for them to refuse entry to a duke who was paying his respect to a grieving widow. They know their place,” Witherton stated with a dismissive tone. “Now that your husband is no longer an obstacle, I can make you my wife.” He leaned forward and whispered, “And I promise that I will please you far more than he ever did.”
She leaned back in loathing and slapped him with all her might. The crack resounded through the room. “You have no idea what Henry and I shared. I will never be your wife!”
He raised his hand to slap her back but restrained himself. “How dare you hit me. I will have you, Margaret. This I vow. You will never escape me!”
Shoving him away, she screamed, “If I ever see you again, I will call the constable! Get out of my house!” She pushed past him and fled the room, crying with fresh tears over all she had lost.
“You have no idea what you are talking about, Catherine. He came here uninvited and I promptly told him to never bother me again. It sounds like you would rather believe the lies of others than believe me.” Margaret forced the tears back, not wanting to cry since she knew it was not good for the baby.
“You can save your breath, Margaret. Henry told me months ago he suspected you still had feelings for the duke. And when I overheard the servants gossiping about your secret rendezvous with the duke in the garden during my ball, I knew it was true. I suspected at some point that you would try to persuade me with your lies, but I won’t fall for it. I will never forgive you for what you have done. Never!”
Margaret reached out, wanting to make Catherine understand, but Catherine stepped back, visibly disgusted with Margaret and not wanting to even be touched by her.
“Once the baby is born next month, I will come back and make the decision of what will be done with it. You better hope and pray that it is Henry’s child, because if it is not, you will have to figure out how to survive on your own. Additionally, there is the possibility that the duke will want to lay claim to his bastard.”
Margaret sucked in a deep breath and held it tightly. Panic began to consume her and, suddenly, the room started to spin. She gripped the edge of the windowsill to balance herself. What was she going to do? She knew the baby was Henry’s, but even that would not keep her child in her arms.
She suspected an additional reason Catherine was determined to acquire Henry’s heir was because it would secure Catherine’s future as the head of the Rolantry family. The only way Catherine would remain in control of the Rolantry fortune would be through an heir. She needed Margaret’s child in order to hold on to her brother’s title and wealth.
Trembling from fear, Margaret knew she had to figure out a way to keep Catherine from trying to destroy her and take her child. Desperately trying to think of a way of making Catherine give up her claim to the baby, she realized she had one bit of truth that could make Catherine back down. Margaret said as delicately as she could, “Catherine, you have forgotten one thing. I know the truth about you. I was the one who came up with the idea of turning you into a legitimate sister to Henry and heir to the Rolantry title. If you try to take my child, I will be forced to tell everyone the truth. You would lose everything and possibly even spend the rest of your life in prison for perpetrating a fraud on the nobility. Is taking away my son really worth losing everything you have?”
Catherine glared at Margaret for several long seconds before replying in a spiteful tone, “First, I owe it to my brother to make sure that his son is not raised by the likes of you. Secondly, who do you think everyone will believe? A bitterly disgraced harlot who caused her own husband’s death or a grieving sister who has an unblemished reputation? You can make all the allegations you want, but given your history with the duke, no one will believe you.”
Margaret hated to admit it, but Catherine was right. Even though she knew the truth, she
could not use it to help herself if no one believed her because of her scandalous past.
“Take good care of my nephew and enjoy him while you have the chance. I suggest you use this time to prepare yourself to hand him over to me once he is born. You may have taken my brother from me, but you will not succeed in keeping his baby.”
With those final ominous words, Catherine turned around and walked out of the London estate.
Margaret knew it would be easy to blame God for what happened. To be honest, a few months back, she would have. Now, she chose to lean into God and allow Him to carry her burdens.
Her faith in God and the life of her child were the only things that got her through the initial days after the death of Henry, and her faith would get her through this difficult time as well.
Margaret found herself sitting at the windowsill again. It was the only thing that brought her comfort. She would stare out, searching for something—anything that would ease the pain. But all she saw when she looked out the window were dirty streets filled with faceless people who looked just as miserable as she felt.
It was hard coming to terms with the fact that all her plans for a future with Henry were never going to come true. Her girlish dreams of growing old with him and raising horses and babies on their country estate would never come to pass. She was left clutching at memories that were already beginning to fade.