The Viscount's Wife: Christian Victorian Era Historical (Window to the Heart Saga Spin-off Book 4) Read online

  The Viscount’s Wife

  Window to the Heart Saga

  Jenna Brandt

  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 Period Images and 123rf.com

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Epilogue

  Also by Jenna Brandt

  Acknowledgments

  Note from the author

  About the Author

  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 book four focuses on the cousin of her best friend. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with a supremely gratifying conclusion in book 3 and 4.

  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). Ruined by a night she will never forget, 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, planning to take the child to whom they both feel entitled. 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 past scandal, 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?

  After enduring immense hardships, 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 Viscount’s Wife: (Book 7) Lord William Almonbury is the spare heir, allowing him the freedom to travel the world and marry for love. Inheriting his father's viscountship was never in the cards, but when both his brother and father become ill, William is summoned home to take over the family affairs.

>   When Debbey met and married William Almonbury in America, his nobility was part of his past. She never imagined due to unforeseen circumstances, she would not only move across the world, but suddenly become a viscount's wife. Thrust into a world unlike anything she could have ever imagined, Debbey must learn to navigate being the new Viscountess Braybridge.

  Will William be able to handle the pressures of his new title? Can Debbey win the hearts of William's friends and family? Or will their new life in England destroy their hope for a happy marriage?

  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

  Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter

  For all the star-crossed lovers out there.

  Being different should be celebrated.

  Prologue

  Mid-January 1871

  Port of New York

  Debbey Almonbury’s hand gripped the boat railing as she looked out over the ocean. In the distance, she could see the faint structures of the New York docks disappearing. The boats in the port swayed in the breeze, and just beyond, the buildings of the city were fading away.

  She was exhausted from the whirlwind of travel since her marriage to her husband, Lord William Almonbury. As the second son of a viscount, he had left England to make a name for himself in America. While he finalized a business venture in West Linn, Oregon, a chance encounter brought Debbey and William together.

  She had lived a simple life as the daughter of the local pastor, wanting only to marry and raise a family in her hometown. Debbey had never imagined she would be moving across the world after marrying an English nobleman.

  “I promised you an exciting and adventurous honeymoon traveling to England,” William stated as he wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist from behind. He nestled the side of his face against her red locks which were piled on top of her head.

  Debbey thought about her husband’s statement. She wasn’t sure she would describe it as adventurous as much as taxing. It had been a grueling week going by stagecoach from West Linn, Oregon, to Promotory, Utah, with limited breaks and accommodations.

  For the next part of the trip, William had secured passage on the United States Transcontinental Railroad headed east to New York. To her surprise, the experience on the train had been much more agreeable than their stagecoach stint. Despite being new, the railroad tended to be reliable unless weather conditions interfered, which unfortunately for them, had been the case. The reoccurring problem of snow resulted in the train suffering significant delays, causing their time on the railroad to lengthen considerably. William, however, made sure to find activities for them to enjoy in attempt to keep her mind off of missing her home or worrying about meeting his family.

  “Are you excited concerning your arrival in England in two weeks’ time?”

  “I feel a whole myriad of feelings on the matter,” Debbey stated. “I’m not sure excitement would be a sentiment I would use to describe how I’m feeling.”

  “You need not worry,” he stated as he pulled her around to face him, “My family will love you as I love you.”

  As she looked into her husband’s beautiful blue eyes, she wanted to believe him. She knew he believed what he said, but she also remembered the story of her best friend Amelie’s wealthy European family. Amelie’s grandfather had been upset when Amelie’s mother had married below her station, and refused to condone the union. William was of noble birth. She worried his parents would not accept his choice to marry an American woman from a working-class family.

  “I am concerned about traveling to England during the winter months,” William stated. “I have heard grumblings of iceberg sightings. There is a real possibility looming we may encounter icy conditions on this voyage.”

  “Should we have waited to leave?” Debbey pondered.

  “I do not see how. My mother insisted I return home at once. My family has never worried themselves with my whereabouts, let alone insisted in such a manner for my return.”

  Debbey heard the concern in her husband’s voice which prompted her to ask, “How bad is it, William?”

  “I am not certain. My mother has been vague in her telegraphs; stating only that I needed to reach England as quickly as possible to handle the family’s affairs.”

  With a nod, Debbey reached out and placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder, then leaned against his chest. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

  “Everything will be alright,” William had promised his wife just a few hours earlier. He had tried to sound convincing, not only for her sake, but for the doubting part of himself. He worried about what would happen when they arrived in England. His mother would have never sent for him if she could have handled things by herself. It meant whatever sickness ailed his brother and father was significant enough they could not manage the family affairs.

  William was the spare heir, and well he knew it. He had always lived in his older brother Andrew’s shadow. Nothing William did could trump Andrew’s accomplishments. If he competed in sports, they always compared his abilities to his brother’s. When they were both in school, his grades were never as good as Andrew’s. On the few occasions he did better, their parents readily had reasons to excuse away the discrepancy.

  Both his mother and father had doted on Andrew. William never felt like he or his sister, Clara, mattered. It was the driving factor as to why he left Europe after boarding school. He wanted to escape the feeling of never being good enough.

  William finished getting ready for dinner, buttoning his shirt, and placing his ascot on top. As he combed his hair into place, William sent up a silent prayer to God. Lord, I need your strength in order to handle whatever awaits us when we arrive in England. Help me to know what to do and let my family fall in love with Debbey as I have.

  He took one final look in the mirror before he knocked on the door between his stateroom and Debbey’s. Moments later, she opened it, her jade eyes sparkling. A loving smile played across her face.

  Debbey tried to hide her fatigue from lack of sleep. The constant nausea kept her awake at night. Apparently, she hadn’t developed her “sea legs.” She wondered how long it would be before she established an ability to tolerate being on the ship. Several of the passengers who were well-traveled had informed her it could take days to adjust to long durations at sea. Debbey’s stomach had tightened at the notion of feeling sick for such a long period of time.

  As they joined their dinner companions in the great saloon, Debbey forced herself not to yawn. William held out the cane-backed chair for her as she glanced around the impressive room. Debbey appreciated the pattern of neatness with intricate paneling and molding swelling towards the ceiling and an exquisite chandelier. The table was set with sparkling glasses, silver cutlery and the finest set of white plates trimmed in gold. Debbey glanced around at each place-setting which had four forks, a soup spoon, and several glasses for various beverages. Even at the Moores’ lavish parties back in West Linn, Debbey had never seen such a formal table.

  The other five couples greeted them in turn. Debbey tried to keep the names and titles straight, but she was not used to such an endeavor. She had known the same handful of people all her life and was unaccustomed to the barrage of names she was expected to remember on a daily basis now that she was with William.

  Everyone began to chat as the servers brought out the first course, a soup with a French name Debbey couldn’t repeat even if she tried. The next several cour
ses of meats, fowl, and desserts passed, each paired with a wine or liquor.

  “Your topaz necklace is simply divine, Lady Annabelle,” one of the younger blonde women at the table stated. “It complements your gown perfectly.”

  The women made it a habit to wear their finest gowns and jewels for the evening meal. Debbey had a limited wardrobe as they had been unable to purchase any new dresses or gowns before they left Oregon. The women had yet to repeat any of their outfits since they began the voyage. Debbey was already on her second round with all her outfits. She felt inferior to the women around her. She never broached the subject with William, knowing it would only upset him, particularly since nothing could be done about it aboard ship.

  “Isn’t that the same dress you wore the other night, Lady Almonbury?”

  She should have known Lady Annabelle Stenal wouldn’t allow Debbey’s lapse in new attire to go unmentioned. The women seemed to enjoy making Debbey uncomfortable. She glanced down at her navy-blue gown and tried her best to smooth out the wrinkles before responding. “It is indeed, Lady Stenal. It’s my husband’s favorite and I wore it to please him.”