A Sensible Match
From Vintage Romance Publishing
Purchase at
Barnes and Noble or
Amazon.com
Abby’s parents want her to marry a man she’s
never met. But how can Abby marry someone who’s secretly insulted
her? The only solution is to make sure he doesn’t propose. After
all, Abby knows that the only sensible match is a love match.
Excerpt:
“Take a risk, Abby. You can’t live here all your
life. You can’t choose to be so stubborn, so alone.” Edwin pleaded,
but his words came out harshly.
Abby did not hear this as desperation from a rejected suitor, but as
a halfhearted effort to fulfill his word. If he were in love with
her, why wouldn’t he talk eloquently and joyfully? Why couldn’t he
just say that he cared? What a blessing that he did not know what
love was.
Abby fired up. “Risk? You talk of risk when you are now not leaving
your home. You have given up your calling to minister, because it is
expected of you to become a lord. What risk have you made?” She had
found another way to drive him away. Her words were bitter and
sarcastic to hide the vulnerable self she was inside.
“Are you afraid,” Edwin asked bitterly. “Afraid of anything new? You
like to have control, even over your life and emotions. You like to
pick and choose to whom you show charity, always the Good Samaritan
that never feels a thing. What if God calls you to do more, be more
than you already are?”
Edwin paced and came back to her.
“Why is wealth so bad or a title so wrong? Are you unable to forgive
that I have them or that I wouldn’t forsake them for you? You have
made your choice and I would know the reason why.”
Courting
Constance
(Sequel to A
Sensible Match)
Coming July 31,2010, all
rights reserved.
If marriage was an
occupation then Constance was determined to enjoy her search for
employment. Men after all made it easy to fall in love. Sadly,
though, they also made it just as difficult to stay in love.
Constance was not going to settle for an ordinary life as a wife.
She just had to convince a certain someone as well as herself that a
wedding could be the beginning of some adventures instead of the end
of them.
Excerpt
How sweet you are,” she
said irrepressibly. “You have always looked out for my best
interests.”
Sir Geoffrey bowed. “I am so very pleased to do so. For I see that
you have changed and so much for the better.”
She looked at him puzzled, curiously waiting for his next words.
He raised an eyebrow and glibly explained, motioning to the cup he
had returned to her. “See, you now accept what I have to offer, no
matter how humble.”
Constance considered him cautiously, reassessing the unexpected
stranger before her. This man didn’t seem like the same one who had
treasured her and once thought nothing good enough for her. At one
time, he would never have insisted she drink the nasty water that
she wanted to gag upon now. He would have taken it for her.
He nodded and continued, as if amused by some secret joke. “And you
have become quite devout and pious as well, I see.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant, but she wasn’t afraid of him.
“Sir? You have the advantage of me because I do not understand your
splendid and unexpected compliments.”
His gray eyes sparkled and she could swear he was enjoying their
battle, though she didn’t see how. She almost felt annoyed, but
reminded herself that he couldn’t play with her emotions. She firmly
commanded them and would one day command his too.
“Modest now too,” he answered softly with a touch of humor. “I
remember how much you once loved my gift and yet you now refrain
from wearing such a gaudy trinket in the very place that it would
fit the best. Isn’t it scriptural for a woman to refrain from
wearing pearls and gold?”
Constance couldn’t help fighting back. “Judge not, lest ye be
judged,” she retorted.
“I am proven right,” he instantly replied. “You have been studying
the Bible.”
She had to try something different for he was definitely trying to
provoke her. He seemed immune to her smiles and charm. Why not play
the girl he thought he wanted then?
“My dear sir.” She curtsied and then sighed. “I am honored you would
find virtues in me that are so fine and yet unmerited.”
“I have been known to have that fault,” he said sarcastically,
showing her for a moment the anger that still burned within him.
