The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline

by Jan Davis Warren

“Sarah will have much more important things on her mind with this being her first child. She needs you, not me, to be there to hold her hand when her time comes.”

  “Your father is not going to be pleased to be trapped in close quarters with three talkative females for such a long journey.” Lady Evangeline smiled and straightened in the saddle. “We’ll discuss this further once you are home.” She gave them both a dismissal nod. “Gentlemen.”

  “Mother, I could keep them company.” Elise turned to her mother for approval.

  John frowned and shook his head.

  His mother caught the gesture, and sent him a smile understanding before she turned to his sister. “I’m afraid not. You’ve neglected the last of your packing and need to finish. That means bringing nothing you can not wear. Understand young lady? No tools, no—.”

  “But I…” Elise gave a big sigh, but then submitted to the lecture.

  His mother was still talking as they rode away. He dreaded keeping something this important from his parents, but it was necessary if he were to fulfill his plan.

  “What’s this about you needing to help me track down whatever is killing the sheep before you can leave?” William continued to watch Elise as she rode away. “I don’t need your help for a job I’ve done plenty of times, but you’re always welcome to join the hunt.” Being the gamekeeper for the castle and surrounding two hundred acres kept William busy training the men in his charge to guard the estate against predators and poachers, a serious crime that would result in the death of man and beast if caught. “What is the real reason for not going with your family?”

  “I have decided…” John rubbed the sweat off his brow and quickened his pace.

  “Decided what?” William drew his attention from Elise to John.

  “I’m going to become a monk.”

  “What?” William caught up to his friend and took John’s arm to halt him. “You cannot! You’re the sole male heir of your family line. You have a solemn obligation to marry.” He smiled and released him. “Your mother will not allow it.” As if the subject was closed, he turned and resumed the journey to the castle.

  “I am serious.” John walked beside his friend, his voice lowered to assure his words wouldn’t carry beyond them. “I vowed that if you and I lived after being struck down in battle, I would devote my life to serving God and the church.”

  “I appreciate your earnest prayer on my behalf, and I am most grateful to God for His divine intervention, but don’t tie me to your vow. I plan to marry and have many children to carry on my father’s line.” He slapped John’s shoulder and laughed. “You would do well to follow my example.”

  “Would you marry to forget Elise? Or are you planning to marry her in spite of your lack of title and numerous other objections?”

  “Let’s leave your sister out of our discussion, please.” His laughter was once again replaced by a scowl. “I know she’ll be waiting to pester me about this fool leg. There will be endless questions and demands to try it again after she does one thing and then another.”

  “Your protests are exaggerated. You’re a free man who could say no without penalty. I suspect you love every minute of her fussing over you, simply to be in her presence.” John’s comments were met with continued murmurs of denial until they arrived at the castle, where William hurried off to the stables to escape Elise until he was ready to be found.

  John slipped inside the castle by the servants’ entrance to avoid running into his mother, then sought the sanctuary of his room. He would need to spend time in prayer before he met his family for the evening meal.

  Deceiving his parents was not his intent, but the truth of his plan was his to keep until the right time.

  And this was not that time.

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  About the Author

  Jan Davis Warren is a mother, grandmother, and a young-at-heart great-grandmother. Her wonderful husband passed away the same year she won the ACFW Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense. That win and many others are encouraging reminders that God wants her to continue writing even in the tough times.

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  Learn more at www.janwarrenbooks.com.

  Acknowledgments

  I love learning about different periods in history and the people that lived them. My research, using several avenues, books and internet for information on the year 1186 England, left me frustrated by the vague, often contradictory and unverifiable facts. The world-wide pandemic made it impossible to personally travel to the region and research the area first hand. Therefore, The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline is written intentionally as a work of fiction. Any errors you devout historians find in the content are strictly mine and I ask for your indulgence and forgiveness.

  Medieval Historical Romance is not my normal genre, although I enjoy reading them. Lady Evangeline’s story would not leave me alone until I wrote it, thinking one and done, even after several of my beta readers suggested I write a sequel. No way. (Famous last words)

  After I submitted The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline to Wild Heart Books, the publisher, Misty Beller asked if I could write two more and make it a series. Book 2 and 3 were already whispering to me, stirring my imagination with the promise of unique characters and adventure, which I had no plans on pursuing until her request. Secrets became a three book series, which I hope will bless many readers. Thank you, Misty and Wild Heart Books, whose professional staff helped this book to shine, from cover to content.

  Writing is a solo journey that requires a village to teach and hone the craft of storytelling. I found this out over the years as I grew from newbie to published. The amazing process that starts with the first stirring of the imagination to the finished book, still awes me.

  I must acknowledge my wonderful family, Shelley, Paul, Whitney, Kent, Kayla, Cole, and Arin for their continued encouragement. Many thanks to my first critique group, Inspy Crits, Margaret, Vickie, Gloria and Therese. You are such talented writers who have generously shared your knowledge, wisdom and encouragement with me and so many others. You continue to inspire me to be a better writer. To my Fantasy-for-Christ, online critique group, you are such a blessing. Thank you! To my beta readers, thank you ladies, your excitement over this story blesses me beyond words. To my good friend, Berta who is always willing to listen to a problem passage so I can polish the edges, thank you.

  My biggest thanks goes to the One who started me on this journey, who also saved me, filled my heart with His love and continues to stir my imagination to overflowing, Jesus, my awesome Lord and Savior. You are the ultimate love story. John 3:16

  Want more?

  If you love historical romance, check out the other Wild Heart books!

  * * *

  Marisol ~ Spanish Rose by Elva Cobb Martin

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  Escaping to the New World is her only option...Rescuing her will wrap the chains of the Inquisition around his neck.

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  Marisol Valentin flees Spain after murdering the nobleman who molested her. She ends up for sale on the indentured servants' block at Charles Town harbor—dirty, angry, and with child. Her hopes are shattered, but she must find a refuge for herself and the child she carries. Can this new land offer her the grace, love, and security she craves? Or must she escape again to her only living relative in Cartagena?

  * * *

  Captain Ethan Becket, once a Charles Town minister, now sails the seas as a privateer, grieving his deceased wife. But when he takes captive a ship full of indentured servants, he's intrigued by the woman whose manners seem much more refined than the average Spanish serving girl. Perfect to become governess for his young son. But when he sets out on a quest to find his captured sister, said to be in Cartagena, little does he expect his new Spanish governess to stow away on his ship with her six-month-old son. Yet her offer of help to free his sister is too tempting to pass up. And her beauty, both inside and out, is too attractive
for his heart to protect itself against—until he learns she is a wanted murderess.

  * * *

  As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Marisol and Ethan.

  Waltz in the Wilderness by Kathleen Denly

  * * *

  She's desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help.

  * * *

  Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother's death, so she'll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend's unexpected assistance is a blessing she can't refuse.

  * * *

  Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it's been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancé is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

  * * *

  When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

  Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green

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  Elizabeth Covington will get her man.

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  And she has just a week to prove her brother isn't the murderer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She'll show the good-looking lawman he's wrong, even if it means setting out on a risky race across Texas to catch the real killer.

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  Rett doesn't want to convict an innocent man. But he can't let the Boston beauty sway his senses to set a guilty man free. When Elizabeth follows him on a dangerous trek, the Ranger vows to keep her safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose conviction and courage leave him doubting everything—even his heart?

  Copyright © 2020 by Jan Davis Warren

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means - photocopied, shared electronically, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, or other - without the express permission of the publisher. Exceptions will be made for brief quotations used in critical reviews or articles promoting this work.

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  The characters and events in this fictional work are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, Kings James Version.