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The Wedding Season: An Anthology (Love Inspired Historical) - Softcover

 
9780373828739: The Wedding Season: An Anthology (Love Inspired Historical)
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Much Ado About Nuptials by Deborah Hale

Plagued with a jaded heart, Sebastian Stanhope, Viscount Benedict, won't let his half brother rush into marriage. He must convince the bride's stubborn—if charming—governess, Rebecca Beaton, to help sever the engagement. Only, Rebecca is determined to encourage the engaged pair...and show Sebastian the blessing of true love.

The Gentleman Takes a Bride by Louise M. Gouge

Surely Elizabeth Moberly was born to be a nobleman's bride. She can't possibly be attracted to the untitled stranger who interrupts her cousin's wedding. Yet Elizabeth finds herself drawn to Philip Lindsey's tender heart and strong faith. And if Philip has his way, he'll convince Elizabeth the only title she needs is Mrs. Lindsey, beloved wife.

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About the Author:
Deborah Hale spent a decade tracing her Canadian family to their origins in Georgian-era Britain. In the process, she learned a great deal about that period and uncovered enough fascinating true stories to fuel her romance plots for years to come. At the urging of a friend, Deborah completed her first historical romance novel and went on to publish over fifteen more. Deborah lives in Nova Scotia, a province steeped in history and romance! Visit her website at: www.deborahhale.com

Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical romance and women’s fiction. Married to David Gouge for 52 years, she is mother of four amazing adult children and grandmother of eight absolutely perfect grandchildren. With a BA in Creative Writing and a master's degree in Liberal Studies, Louise taught composition and humanities at Valencia College in Kissimmee, Florida. Now happily retired from teaching, she writes full time.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:
The Cotswolds, England 1814

"M iss Leonard, I presume?"

The question, posed in a rich, firm baritone voice, startled Rebecca Beaton as she stooped to pluck a fragrant purple hyacinth in the garden at Rose Grange. Had Hermione decided to abandon her sketchbook and venture outside to help gather flowers?

Rising, Rebecca scanned the garden. But she saw no sign of her former pupil, to whom she now served as companion.

The only other person in sight was a well-dressed gentleman, presumably the one who had spoken. He was tall and broad-shouldered with dark brown hair, a high brow and a proud, jutting nose. His piercing slate-blue eyes regarded her with a mixture of surprise and disapproval.

But that was ridiculous. How could he possibly disapprove of her when he did not even know who she was?

Realizing he must have mistaken her for Hermione, she was about to correct him when he rushed on. "I beg your pardon for presuming to address you without a proper introduction, Miss Leonard. But since we might soon be quite intimately connected, I hope you will permit me the liberty of introducing myself."

How was Hermione going to be intimately connected with this gentleman?

Again he refused to give Rebecca an opportunity to inquire, but continued speaking as if he did not care whether she objected. "I am Sebastian Stanhope, Viscount Benedict. I have just come from London after learning, to my considerable dismay, that my brother has gotten himself engaged to you."

So that's what this bewildering visitation was all about. Rebecca felt on firmer ground at last, though it grieved her to hear the viscount was displeased with his brother's betrothal. She must explain his mistake at once and fetch the real Hermione to speak with him, though she feared such an interview would upset the dear girl.

But Lord Benedict still refused to let her get a word in. "I am certain you have many fine qualities, Miss Leonard. Indeed, I can understand how your beauty must have secured my brother's admiration."

Her beauty? Even if his lordship had paused just then to let her speak, Rebecca doubted she could have produced a sound. Her teachers at school had always impressed upon her and the other girls their deficiencies of appearance. Whenever she peeped in the looking glass long enough to check that she was neat and tidy, all she saw was an unattractive square jaw, unmanageable hair of a commonplace brown shade and brows far too full and dark for beauty.

Was the viscount trying to flatter her or mock her?

He sounded sincere enough in his brusque, imperious manner. "I am pleasantly surprised to discover you are not some green girl barely out of the schoolroom."

That must be a polite way of implying she was so firmly "on the shelf" it amazed him that she'd managed to secure any marriage proposal. Even if his lordship had put the case in so blunt a manner, Rebecca could not have disputed it. With her lack of fortune and beauty, she'd never had much hope of securing a husband. Each passing year had only whittled away at whatever unlikely dreams she might have had. Dreams of a poor but kindly curate, perhaps, or a widower who needed someone to care for his motherless children and could not afford to be particular.

Firmly turning her thoughts from such modest romantic fancies, Rebecca forced herself to concentrate on what Lord Benedict was saying. "Your manner of dress suggests a character not afflicted with frivolity and I approve your reticence. It is refreshing to meet a woman who does not chatter on like a magpie."

Rebecca barely stifled a hoot of laughter. Though no magpie, she would have had plenty to say for herself, if only his lordship would give her an opportunity. The viscount was certainly talkative enough, though she could hardly compare the mellow resonance of his voice to that of a squawky bird.

"My brother's taste in women has clearly improved." He swept a glance from the toes of her shoes up to the crest of her bonnet. "Still, I fear it would be a terrible mistake for him to marry you."

"Why is that?" Rebecca managed to squeeze in the question when Lord Benedict paused for breath, though she wondered why she hadn't used the opportunity to reveal her true identity.

His lordship started at the sound of her voice. Had he begun to think she might be mute? Or was he not accustomed to having his pronouncements questioned?

Whatever the cause of his surprise, he quickly recovered from it. "For a number of excellent reasons, I assure you. Though my brother is a fine young fellow in many respects, he is impulsive and changeable in his affections. You are not the first woman with whom he has fallen in love. Fortunately I was able to end his other dalliances before they reached the troublesome stage yours has."

Lord Benedict was a fine-looking gentleman of great consequence who had paid her more compliments in five minutes than she had received in her whole life. Yet Rebecca found herself forming a decidedly poor opinion of him.

For one thing, it sounded as if he was trying to run his brother's life. For another, she did not care for the way he dismissed Mr. Stanhope's feelings for Hermione as a meaningless dalliance without ever having seen them together. She had seen the way the young gentleman looked at Her-mione and spoke to her. Though admittedly no expert in matters of the heart, Rebecca believed she could recognize the difference between a transient fancy and true love.

His lordship must have sensed she was not swayed by his reasoning.

"There is also the matter of your birth and fortune." He dismissed the fine old manor house with a flick of his gaze. "The woman my brother weds will one day be Lady Benedict. It is not a position that should be assumed by someone who is unprepared for the demands it will entail."

Once again Rebecca had a chance to get a word in, and once again she let her curiosity get the better of her. "Why will your brother's wife become Lady Benedict? Surely, if you have a son one day..."

She lowered her gaze, chiding herself for raising such a delicate subject with a man she'd just met. A man who didn't even know who she truly was.

"I will have no sons, Miss Leonard, nor daughters either. Carrying on the family line is a task I will leave to my brother and his wife, which is why it is of the utmost importance for Claude to choose his bride wisely."

The viscount's answer piqued her curiosity further still, but this time Rebecca refused to indulge it with more questions. It was clear Lord Benedict wanted his brother to select a wife using his head rather than his heart, and the only qualifications should be fortune and rank. Hermione Leonard might not be the daughter of an earl with a large dowry, but she was well bred and accomplished. What was even more important, in Rebecca's opinion, she would make a loving wife and devoted mother.

Lord Benedict reminded Rebecca of the haughty relatives who had tried to prevent her parents' marriage. "Is that everything you wish to say, sir?"

"Not quite. I have an important request to make of you. After hearing me out with such civility, I hope you will be inclined to grant it."

"Request?" Rebecca arched one eyebrow.

The viscount thrust his arms behind his back and drew himself up to his full, impressive height. "Having heard some of my reasons for opposing the match, I must ask you to promise you will not wed my brother."

Though her conscience prodded her to explain his mistake, Rebecca could not bear to expose poor Hermione to this dreadful man without proper warning. Besides, Lord Benedict would discover the truth soon enough. "I give you my word, sir. I will not marry your brother under any circumstances."

"Truly?" Her reply seemed to take some of the starch out of the viscount. "Just like that? You're certain you won't change your mind?"

"Entirely certain." Rebecca reminded herself she was telling the truth. "After everything you've said, nothing could induce me to make such a match."

Once he believed he'd gotten his way, Lord Benedict became far more affable. "That is very sensible of you and most obliging. I came here fearing I might have a fight on my hands. Many women, once they'd accepted a marriage offer from a man with my brother's prospects, would have clung to it against all appeals. Your willingness to act in everyone's best interests speaks well of your sense and character."

His cordiality made Rebecca begin to regret misleading him. Lord Benedict had misled himself, she reminded her nagging conscience. She'd never once claimed to be Hermione. If he'd given her an opportunity to speak in the beginning, rather than rattling on in that arrogant manner, he would soon have learned of his error.

"If you will excuse me, sir, I must retire." If she stayed in the garden any longer, Rebecca feared Hermione might come looking for her and expose the whole mistaken identity.

"Of course." His lordship paid her the compliment of bowing very low. "I will not detain you any longer."

With that, he marched away looking greatly pleased with himself, while Rebecca hurried into Rose Grange to tell Her-mione everything that had transpired.

"You did what?" The Honourable Claude Stanhope hurled down his silver fork with such force it might have chipped his china dinner plate.

Leaping to his feet, he glared down the length of the dining table at his half brother. "How dare you speak to Miss Leonard without my knowledge, let alone demand she break our engagement?"

"I did not demand anything of the lady." Sebastian continued to consume his helping of roast pork with a better appetite than he'd had since he learned of his brother's latest romantic entanglement. "I simply explained the situation and requested her cooperation. To my surprise, she was most agreeable."

"Agreeable?" Claude huffed. "She's a perfect delight! A...

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  • PublisherLove Inspired Historicals
  • Publication date2011
  • ISBN 10 037382873X
  • ISBN 13 9780373828739
  • BindingMass Market Paperback
  • Number of pages288
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