The Lost Heiress
Page 40
Brook rested her head on his shoulder. “Sometimes it still feels so unreal. One of your stories.”
He thought so nearly every morning, when he awoke with her in his arms. “This one must be called ‘The Life of the Duchess.’ And there are many adventures yet to be spun in it—all of which have the happiest of endings.”
She smiled up at him, then glanced back toward the house for which Worthing strode. “And no doubt quite a lot of excitement we would all rather do without.”
“You wouldn’t know what to do with a boring life. If no danger found you, you’d create some.”
At that she laughed, tossing back her head so it could blend with the music of wind and surf. Then she sighed. “I suppose it’s time we leave for Azerley Hall.”
“Mm.” He smoothed back the curl that had blown into his face, tucked it behind her ear. “Cayton’s note said Adelaide is excited to get to know you better.”
“And I her. Though I don’t know if I have it in me to be anything but polite to Cayton. Not seeing how Melissa still mourns the loss of him.”
“He at least recognizes that he made a thorough mull of everything. Perhaps there’s hope for him.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Shall we, then?”
He expected another sigh, another grumble about Cayton. Instead, she grinned in that way only Brook could, the way that nearly stopped his heart. And she held up the key to the Rolls-Royce that had been, a minute ago, in his pocket. “I’ll drive.”
There was nothing for it but to laugh and chase her down the hill.
Author’s Note
I often say a book has been with me for a long time … but no book has been with me as long as this one. When I was twelve, Brook’s story began in what I was determined would be my first completed novel, entitled Golden Sunset, Silver Tear. I finished it a year and a half later. After nine other published books, nineteen years, four titles, and countless rewrites, I’m beyond ecstatic to see Brook and Justin’s story in print. And with Bethany House, the first publisher I queried about it at the age of fourteen!
One of the first revisions I made to the story as a teen was to change the opening setting from a fictional kingdom to Monaco, after learning of the Grimaldis’ longest monarchy in history. Though there was obviously never a Brook in that rich family, she fits well with the actual history. Prince Louis, who I billed as her father, was always at odds with his father, Prince Albert—largely because he refused to marry and instead kept an actress as his mistress. Their one daughter, Charlotte, was adopted into the Grimaldi family legally so she could be named the crown princess, and the principality could be kept from the hands of the next nearest relative—one Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany.
The biggest change Brook and Justin underwent, though, was when I decided to change the setting of the story from the 1860s to the 1910s. The credit there belongs to my fabulous agent, Karen Ball—and the change was one of those that, once I’d thought of how to do it, earned an “Of course! How could I have missed this all these years? This is when Brook was supposed to have lived!” The changing times and ideas perfectly fit the spirit Brook had always had, and though it required a complete overhaul of the story, it was one I took joy in.
For those wondering about the red diamonds, let me assure you that, though the Fire Eyes are fictional, the information shared about such jewels in general is true. They really are the rarest jewel in the world, and the largest red diamond is only five carats.
On a similar note, while I set my heroine’s home in a real area and descriptions of Whitby and Yorkshire are taken from research, Whitby Park and Eden Dale are fictional locations, as are the other homes mentioned.
Like any story, The Lost Heiress couldn’t have been written without help and input. Thanks to Patrick Collins of the National Motor Museum in Brockenhurst, UK, for taking the time to answer my questions about the Rolls-Royce that later became known as the Silver Ghost—and going above and beyond by scanning pages of its manual for me! And I’m also so grateful to my English reader, Elisabeth Allen, for volunteering to read over the manuscript and make sure no Americanisms worked their way into the story. You were a real godsend, Elisabeth! I also had to tap the immense knowledge of the British Raj of my Irish-born friend, Christine Lindsay—thanks so much for patiently answering my questions about what rank Henry should have, and what Deirdre would call her parents. And of course, Wendy Chorot for reviewing all my French for me—thanks, flower!
I’m so blessed to be surrounded by encouraging family and friends, from my parents (who told me my thirteen-year-old version of this book was great) to my husband, David (who has read so many versions of it, it’s amazing he hasn’t gone cross-eyed). I’ve had priceless input on these characters over the years from critique partners (Stephanie!) and agents and editors, all of whom contributed to the story I ended up telling. And I can’t begin to say how grateful I am to Charlene and the team at Bethany House for believing it was Brook’s time to be published. Karen S., I still can’t get over coming full circle on this after so many years since that pitch at my first conference!
The Lost Heiress has become, in my mind, a symbol of determination—a lesson in how, when we’re chasing our dreams, we should never stubbornly cling to the way we think our goals need to play out … but we should never give up on those loves the Lord has given us. I hope you enjoyed getting to know my first heroine. Over the years her name has changed, along with her station, her home, and her family. But her spirit is still the one I envisioned when I first sat down as a preteen with a pencil, a stack of loose-leaf notebook paper, and the determination to write a book. May her story be to you just a portion of what it has been to me all these years.
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two small children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of ten historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She makes her home in the breathtaking mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
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