by Jenna Brandt
The English Proposal
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
Preview of The French Encounter (Book 2)
Also by Jenna Brandt
Acknowledgments
About the Author
A Note from the Author
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.
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].
Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Window to the Heart Saga © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Cover design by Alexia Purdy with photo copyright by 123RF.com © anyka and 123RF.com © David Martyn Hughes
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 holiday 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
To my mother, Connie.
You have inspired, encouraged, and believed in me
all my life. You have always been my muse.
Prologue
1853 Brighton, England
It was a warm spring day as four children played tag in the English garden of the Viscount Rolantry’s country estate. Two of them looked identical with their black curly hair, deep violet eyes, and pale white skin, except one was a boy and one was a girl. The third child was a fair-haired boy with remarkable brown eyes and slender build. The fourth boy, with black hair and matching dark eyes, was not from England but was visiting while his French father conducted business.
“I caught you, Mags,” the dark-haired boy, Randall, yelled at his twin sister, using the nickname he had given her.
Sulking, the petite Margaret complained, “Randall, you promised you would try to catch Henry first.”
Margaret tried to pull free from her “captor” but was unable to break loose and screamed, “Help me, help me,” knowing that one of the other boys would come to her rescue.
“I demand you release the lady at once,” yelled the French boy, Pierre.
“I will save you, my love,” the fair-haired Henry cried out as he rushed up and stood between the twins, wooden sword in hand. “On guard, you scallywag. Unhand the princess at once,” Henry taunted.
“You cannot have her. She is mine forever,” returned Randall, as he pulled his own wooden sword free from his waistband and swung it at the other boy.
For several moments, the three boys play-fought around Margaret with their wooden swords until Henry grabbed Margaret’s arm with his free hand and said, “You are wrong. She will be mine! I am going to marry her one day.”
Everyone froze for a moment as all the boys, with the exception of her brother, were smitten with Margaret, but none of them ever discussed it.
The twins looked at each other with wide eyes, and then laughingly, they said in unison, “Ewwww!”
Both nodded, not needing to talk of their plan, then bolted in opposite directions.
Heartbroken, Henry hung his head and walked over to the tree nearby. He leaned against it in discouragement.
Margaret turned to see if any of the boys were chasing her and realized Henry was upset. She went to stand next to him and gently put her hand on his arm, asking, “What is wrong, Henry? We were just playing.”
He looked up to meet her eyes and said with sadness, “You are never going to love me like I love you, are you, Margaret?”
“Do not be silly, Henry. You will always be my best friend.”
Chapter 1
1861 Brighton, England
Lady Margaret Wellesley, daughter of the Earl of Renwick, sucked in her breath anxiously. What was she thinking? She would never be able to measure up to the kind of wife Henry expected. And well, she knew it. Deep down, she worried she would disappoint him.
She arched an eyebrow as she looked at herself critically in the mirror. She tucked and pulled at the folds of her ivory, satin gown to make sure every detail was in place. Her dress had a corseted waist with a full, bell-shaped skirt that tiered down in cascading layers. The corset was accented with tiny rows of shimmering pearls that crisscrossed and complemented her petite frame. The gown was beautiful and she had waited for weeks for it to finally be finished. Coupled with her contrasting raven locks that were accented with strands of pearls woven through and a matching set that lay around her neck and on her ears, she was content with her ensemble.
Margaret made her way from her dressing chamber towards the ballroom. She descended the grand staircase, pausing at the middle flat and resting her gloved hands on the banister. This was her big moment. Tonight, she would finally be presented to society.
Alfred, the family butler, came from around the corner and announced, “Presenting Lady Margaret, the daughter of the Earl of Renwick.”
All the eyes of the assembled guests fastened on the sixteen-year-old girl. She had inherited her late mother’s aristocratic face and delicate bone structure and her father’s Irish white skin and dark violet eyes.
Margaret smiled with graceful ease as she overtly scanned the room for Henry.
“He is not here yet.”
The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Whose voice was that? She had never heard it before. It was deep and resonating.
Slowly, she turned to her left and looked up. Her eyes met the most piercing set of blue eyes she had ever seen. After a second’s pause, she took in the rest of the man who matched the voice.
He was… beautiful. There was no other way to describe the stranger standing before her. He had curly brown hair that enhanced the blueness of his eyes. His face and body were flawless, built perfectly and gleamed golden like ripe olives. And he was so tall; he towered over her.
Dashing in his formal attire, Margaret stared at the striking stranger, wondering who was he. She had never seen him before, and she knew everyone who socialized in her circle.
“To whom are you referring, my lord?” she asked with naiveté.
“Why, to your betrothed, certainly… or have you forgotten him already? Not that I mind, considering that it puts my task much more in the realm of attainability.”
“I have not forgotten because I have not the intent or a good enough reason to do so,” she informed.
“That is because you have not met me until now. I am going to change everything.”
Margaret was rather astonished by the stranger’s blatant statement but did not want him to realize it. She opted to counter instead. “Why, sir, you presume I plan to get to know you.”
He smiled with a hint of slight cockiness and held out his arm to her. “It seems that you are without escort this eve. Let me be of assistance. I would be honored if you would allow me to accompany you to dinner.”
Hesitantly, she put her hand in the crook of his arm and said, “Thank you, good sir, I would be—”
But she was broken off midsentence by a voice from behind that she recognized all too well. “That will not be necessary. I have arrived, and I will be escorting Lady Margaret.”
She stiffened automatically out of reflex, not liking Henry finding her here like this. It could appear improper, and in their circle of acquaintances, appearances meant everything.
Turning around expeditiously, she put on her most endearing smile. “Good evening, my lord. I am glad that you have arrived.”
“Yes, by all means, the lady was waiting for you so anxiously upon these stairs,” the gentleman stated with a hint of sarcasm.
Henry stepped forward and gently but firmly took Margaret’s hand, putting it on his own arm. Margaret looked up at her betrothed and saw the man she had known since she was a little girl. He was tall and of a slender build but had an elegant grace that surrounded him. He had straight blond hair that was slicked back tonight for the ball, matched with strong brown eyes and a warm smile. Most women would consider him to be very appealing, and some had even said so when they thought Margaret was not listening.
The two men stood toe-to-toe in their regal dress suits, and moments ticked by as Henry stared at the man across from him. Finally, Henry stated coldly, “Lady Margaret, may I introduce to you the Duke of Witherton.”
Without realizing it, she took in a deep breath and held it tightly. She had heard about the duke. His name was Richard Charles Townsend III, Duke of Witherton, and he and Henry were bitter enemies stemming from their time in the military. Richard was older by a few years and had a greater title, and by all rights assumed he deserved to be commissioned first, but Henry received the position and rank that Richard had sought. Henry and the duke ended up in one fight after another until finally they decided to end what little contact they had altogether.
What was he doing here? She had to know. Of course, her father had invited him. The entire ton had been invited. But the duke never went anywhere, least of all to parties of those whose titles were o
f a lesser nature.
“Your Grace, you do us a great honor by being here. Although, I must say, I am surprised to find you here considering that you have never attended one of our gatherings before,” she said pointedly.
“My lady, you are correct, and it has been to my disadvantage, so it seems,” he said while looking at her meaningfully. She blushed and looked away, receiving his message all too clear.
Trying to sound convincing but failing, Margaret replied, “You exaggerate, sir. We have nothing in the country worthy of your time.”
Margaret leaned into Henry’s support and kept her eyes averted, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing.
“On the contrary, I had been told that there was something here that would fit my, shall we say, tastes. And I see that I was well informed. I see something that I fancy and is quite worth my time.”
And with that, before either Margaret or Henry could react, Richard took Margaret’s free hand gently and bent over to kiss the top of it.
Then the most unexpected thing happened: Margaret felt this fluttering feeling in her stomach, almost like…. No, she was imagining it because she had worked herself up so much for tonight. She could not have felt butterflies! It was impossible, and especially not by a kiss from this man she was supposed to hate!