The Gentleman's Bride Search Read online

  “Of course,” Evangeline murmured, her imagination fired by the possibilities. “With an education, those children will truly have new hope, just as you did.”

  “There is only one difficulty,” said Jasper.

  To her questioning look, he replied, “I have no experience in education. I would need someone to organize a school for me.”

  Now it was his look that asked the question.

  “Me?” The prospect of assisting him in such vital work appealed to her. “But what about my school? Am I supposed to simply forget about it?”

  “No, indeed!” Jasper reached for her hands and clasped them in his. “Such a place is badly needed and there is no one better qualified than you to bring it about. But could we not combine your school and mine? I have a vacant building we could fix up nicely for the purpose. It is on the outskirts of town where the air is healthier.”

  Combine the work that was so important to each of them and help one another achieve their dreams? It sounded too good to be true.

  Jasper seemed to mistake her speechless amazement for resistance. “I know I once told you I wanted a wife who would always see eye to eye with me and never argue. But you have shown me that intelligent opposition can yield a compromise that is better than either original idea. I believe this is such a compromise. Are you willing to give a little to gain so much for us both and for those we care about?”

  Evangeline found her voice again. “It is a truly inspired idea. I am willing to recommend it to my friends. I believe they will be in favor of it since a building would be one of our greatest expenses. But is that all you are asking—for me to establish this combined school?”

  “I must admit there is more to it.” Jasper’s eyes sparkled with eagerness even as the set of his full, dark brows conveyed apprehension of laying his heart open to rejection once again. “The truth is, I love you, Evangeline. Not as a convenient mother for my children, but as the delightful, determined woman who is more than a match for me in so many ways!”

  His words made her throat tighten, but the final barrier around her heart began to crumble.

  Before she could answer, he continued. “I know you are afraid that you will lose yourself if you become part of a family again. But I do not believe that will happen any more than it did when you brought together your circle of friends. Look how well that turned out. I hope that if I can prove myself capable of being the kind of husband you need and deserve, you will change your mind about marrying me.”

  Evangeline glanced out at the garden, where Marian was supervising their children at play. Their children. Suddenly her heart acknowledged its long-denied secret wish for Emma, Matthew, Alfie, Owen and Rosie to belong to her.

  Overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude for this second chance, Evangeline raised Jasper’s hands and pressed her lips to them. “I am no longer so afraid of what I might lose by giving you my heart. It belongs to you now along with all the love it can hold. Whenever you choose to propose to me again, I shall be honored and delighted to accept.”

  His dark, rugged features glowed with joy as bright and tender as that which overflowed from her heart.

  Jasper released her hands only so he could open his arms and gather her close. She raised her face to his and kissed a man she loved with her whole heart, keeping nothing back.

  A brief lifetime later, when Jasper held her, his cheek pressed against her hair, he murmured, “Is it too soon to propose yet?”

  Evangeline burrowed deeper into his embrace. “Not a moment too soon.”

  Epilogue

  Manchester, England

  October 1817

  An enthusiastic crowd had gathered to watch Hannah, Countess of Hawkehurst, untie a large ceremonial ribbon stretched across the main entrance of a large, handsome stone building.

  After a brief speech about how she and her fellow trustees had met and grown close during their years at school, she announced, “Today it is my honor and pleasure to declare the Faith and Friendship School now officially open!”

  The spectators applauded, none louder than Jasper Chase, while Evangeline stood by his side beaming.

  Her friend the countess stepped out of the way to let the crowd stream inside for a tour of the school and refreshments. Soon the only ones left outside were the original circle of friends and their husbands. Grace, Lady Steadwell, had christened them “glass slipper brides” after the heroine of her stepdaughter’s favorite fairy tale.

  Rebecca, Lady Benedict, shook her head with an air of amazement and admiration. “Well done, Evangeline! You more than made up for any earlier delays by getting this place running so quickly.”

  Marian, Hannah, Grace and Leah nodded.

  Jasper spoke up in Evangeline’s defense, even though he knew she was more than capable of standing up for herself. “The responsibility for any delays rests entirely with me, ladies, and I beg your pardon with all my heart. Though I may not have recognized my feelings for your friend in the beginning, I was wise enough to know that I did not want to lose her.”

  The gentlemen all smiled at him as if they understood perfectly. Though most of them where noblemen, Jasper had found them all fine fellows and looked forward to getting to know them better.

  “Enough, my dear.” Evangeline gave his arm a playful tap then grasped it warmly. “You will make me blush.”

  To the others, she added, “I did want to make up for lost time once we had come to an understanding. But I cannot take all the credit. Mr. and Mrs. Brookes and his sister provided invaluable assistance. In fact, once the school is running smoothly, I may turn over the day-to-day operation to Miss Brookes.”

  The ladies murmured in agreement. They had met Abigail earlier and clearly believed she would make a fine headmistress.

  Glancing toward Jasper, Evangeline continued. “I must not forget to acknowledge the help of a certain gentleman. We could never have accomplished what we did without his energy, enthusiasm and practical advice.”

  The Duchess of Northam gave a dignified nod, lightened by a mischievous grin. “It sounds as though you have more than atoned for any delays you may have caused, Mr. Chase. It is clear that you and your bride-to-be make an excellent team.”

  When Jasper, Evangeline and Marian Radcliffe all laughed, the duchess protested, “What is so amusing? For once I did not mean to make fun.”

  “I will explain later,” Mrs. Radcliffe murmured to her friend.

  “Hadn’t we better get inside?” Lady Steadwell suggested. “Before the children devour all the food.”

  “An excellent idea, my dear,” said her husband as he offered her his arm.

  “Speaking of the children...” The Duke of Northam addressed Jasper as he and his wife followed the Steadwells. “My son Kit was delighted when we received your invitation. He has enjoyed exchanging letters with your children and could hardly wait to meet them in person. I hope someday your family will pay us a visit at Renforth Abbey.”

  “Thank you, your grace.” Jasper marveled at the thought of a former bobbin boy rubbing shoulders with a duke. “That is very kind of you.”

  “Please call me Hayden,” the duke replied, “or Northam if you prefer. After all, we will soon be like family.”

  “Very soon indeed.” His wife winked at Evangeline with unladylike glee. “To think we shall all be married—entirely confounding the predictions of our teachers.”

  “Now, Leah,” Jasper’s bride-to-be responded. “I do not believe our teachers are the only ones who would be surprised to see the two of us married.”

  The other ladies nodded and chuckled.

  “I am as amazed as anyone.” Evangeline squeezed Jasper’s hand and smiled up at him. “I never expected to wed and have a family...especially such a large one, but I could not be happier that I soon shall.”

  Jasper’s
heart echoed her words. The past three months had been the happiest and most fulfilling of his life, working side by side with Evangeline, to realize their hopes and dreams, being a full-time father to his children and making them part of his world.

  As he had foreseen, once Evangeline overcame her fears and committed herself to loving him and his children, she had plunged in, holding nothing back. The only thing left to crown their joy was for them to stand before the Lord and pledge themselves to one another.

  * * *

  “Wasn’t yesterday a wonderful celebration?” said Hannah as she and her friends helped prepare their intrepid leader for her wedding. “It was the achievement of a dream and our final triumph over our past.”

  “So it was.” Marian caught her friend in a warm embrace. “And today will be another.”

  Leah draped a gauzy lace veil over Evangeline’s bonnet. “I have not seen such a beautiful bride since I looked in the mirror on my own wedding morn!”

  Evangeline laughed with the others. “It is thanks to all of you that I look remotely presentable for my nuptials. I was so busy preparing for the school opening that I scarcely thought about getting ready for my wedding.”

  “My dress fits you perfectly,” said Rebecca. “It means a great deal to me having you wear it today.”

  “The same goes for my veil,” said Hannah.

  They had all contributed something to her wedding attire—Grace a sapphire pendant, Marian a pair of dainty kid slippers and Leah a lavish bouquet of roses from the greenhouse of Renforth Abbey.

  Once Evangeline was ready, they all kissed her and wished her the joy in marriage that they had found.

  “I am certain I shall have it in abundance,” she replied confidently, “if these past months have been a foretaste.”

  The friends walked together to the nearby chapel where Jasper and their wedding guests were waiting. In the vestibule, Emma and Rosie greeted the bride.

  “You look lovely,” said Emma with a happy sigh.

  “So do you, my dearest.” Evangeline caressed her cheek.

  “After the wedding, may we call you Mama?” asked Rosie.

  Evangeline nodded with a sidelong glance at Emma. “If you wish, but only if you really want to. Now I think we had better head in before Matthew and Alfie get too restless.”

  The girls walked ahead of her up the aisle, Rosie strewing fragrant petals of her namesake flower.

  At the foot of the altar stood Jasper and his sons, all looking very handsome. The radiant smile on Jasper’s face and the warm glow of love in his eyes made Evangeline feel she was the happiest and most fortunate woman in the world.

  Reverend Mr. Brookes opened his prayer book and cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  When he asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Evangeline answered in a firm, clear voice, “I do.”

  Behind her, she heard whispers and muted chuckles from their guests, but Jasper gave a decisive nod to signal his approval of her unorthodox declaration. She was giving herself in marriage to him just as he was giving himself to her, to share the rest of their lives.

  As they repeated their vows, she and Jasper stared deep into each other’s eyes, making private, unspoken promises about respecting, supporting and challenging one another in the years ahead.

  The children cheered when Mr. Brookes pronounced them husband and wife.

  “To think,” said Verity when the ceremony had concluded, “two matches came out of your house party at Amberwood. There may be another, for I hear Mr. Webster is courting Mrs. Leveson!”

  “I do not wonder that my wife’s matchmaking efforts were such a success.” Jasper seemed to savor those words. “Even if the result did not turn out exactly as she planned!”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from FAMILY ON THE RANGE by Jessica Nelson.

  Dear Reader,

  With this story, I come to the end of the GLASS SLIPPER BRIDES series, which makes me a little sad. I have enjoyed getting to know Rebecca, Marian, Grace, Hannah, Leah and Evangeline, discovering how each was marked by her experiences in a harsh charity school and seeing how they have overcome their pasts to find love and a happy future.

  Evangeline Fairfax is the most resistant to marriage of all her friends. She believes the responsibility of a family will interfere with the Lord’s work she feels called to do. She also fears marriage will curb her strong will. Widowed mill owner Jasper Chase does not want his children to lose their capable, caring governess. But if Miss Fairfax is determined to leave, perhaps he should find a wife to manage his home so he can devote himself to improving the lives of his workers.

  When Evangeline organizes a house party to find her employer a suitable bride, Jasper begins to realize he need seek no further than...her. But can he persuade the wedlock-shy governess that her special calling may include a loving family?

  Deborah Hale

  Questions for Discussion

  Even though Evangeline has worked for Jasper for several years, they only begin to truly know one another as she is about to leave. Is there anyone in your life you wish you knew better? What is holding you back and how might you overcome those obstacles?

  Evangeline believes it is the Lord’s will for her to set up a new charity school. Have you ever felt a Divine call to do something? Were you eager to follow the call or ambivalent? How did it turn out?

  The character of Jasper Chase is modeled after pioneering social reformer Robert Owen. Do you think it is possible for businesses to remain competitive in today’s economy while applying Christian principles to their operations? What are some ways they might accomplish that?

  Though she lives during the Regency era, Evangeline Fairfax faces the modern woman’s dilemma of trying to “have it all,” including marriage, children and a meaningful career. How do you strike a balance in your life between family and work? Does your faith play a role in achieving a balance that works for you?

  Jasper wants to shield his children from the harsh realities of life in industrial England. Why do you think that is? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

  Evangeline reflects on how her teachers criticized her and her friends, and how easy it was to dismiss the criticism of the others but not of herself. Have you ever experienced that? Was there anything that helped you overcome it?

  What advice about courting would you give Jasper Chase?

  When Jasper and Evangeline confide in one another about their pasts, they realize they have more in common than they ever expected. Has that ever happened to you? How did it change your relationship with that other person?

  Through most of the story, Jasper believes that differences between a husband and wife can lead to conflict and unhappiness in the home. Why does he feel that way? Do you agree? Why or why not?

  Evangeline’s friend Marian tells her that the Lord may be a teamster as well as a shepherd. What metaphors for God are most meaningful to you? Why do you think that is?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

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  Chapter One

  June 1920

  Oregon

  “Bag the body and don’t forget to ink his prints.” Special Agent Lou Riley moved away from the man who had met his demise in the bowels of an illegal liquor operation. He slipped Wrigley’s peppermint gum into his mouth and gnawed on it as he thought through his circumstances.

  This dead witness meant more time on assignment trying to track down the one who’d hired the foreign bootlegger to do his dirty work.

  Prohibition in Oregon wasn’t a thing to be trifled with. After a decade of chasing murderers, traitors and thieves in his job as special agent for the Bureau of Investigation, Lou guessed helping the local police track speakeasies and distilleries served him well enough.

  Better than the more dangerous spying he’d done until this past year.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the stress of a hard day’s work combined with personal pressures. Day before last he’d left his secluded ranch to tackle this assignment. His housekeeper, Mary, had everything under control at home, but he couldn’t shake his unease. Over a year ago his niece and his best friend, Trevor, had married, and ever since he’d been thinking about the past. About people long gone. And lately, when he saw Mary, a strange tension filled him, which was odd because they’d always had an easygoing rapport in the twelve years she’d been his employee.

  Not that his job ever kept him home with her for long.

  Grimacing at the kink in his left shoulder, he wheeled around and left the dim building. An overcast afternoon greeted him, heavy with mist and promising rain. He nodded to one of his field agents as he picked his way to the bureau’s automobile.