A Letter in the Wind Launch & Giveaway

Excerpt

As this is part of the Mayhem and Scandal collection, there is disaster and then a scandal. Long-time Rose Fairbanks readers will not be surprised that there is a forced marriage scenario–but with several twists. The following excerpt is Easter Day, just a few days before Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage and while both are secretly pining for the other.

Elizabeth blushed furiously at his words. She knew he meant them teasingly, but she longed for another embrace and his touch. Even the slightest sign that he cared for her provided a balm to her broken heart. He grew silent, too, and his nervous gesture emerged.

After a moment, he spoke again. “Forgive me. I am unused to teasing and tried too hard to be a carefree youth.” He stared straight ahead. “Of course, I would never touch you without your permission. I do not want you to think that you will have to put up with my constant attention.”

Elizabeth’s brows furrowed. Was he saying that because he assumed it was what she wanted? Or was he merely attempting to be a gentleman? How could she tell him she thrilled at his touch and wished it would never stop?

Then, a more unsettling thought emerged. What if the distance was his desire? He had been courted by the most beautiful women Society could offer. They had all been wealthy and educated. Elizabeth paled in comparison.

They reached the summit, and Elizabeth pointed to a fallen log she often sat upon. They affixed their eyes on the horizon, waiting for the sun to rise and bathe them in glorious light.

At last, the moment came, and Elizabeth could not hold back a gasp of wonder. She did not often feel in unity with the Lord, but today, she marvelled at the love He must have to send His Son to die for humanity’s sake. It defied all human logic.

For several minutes, she and Darcy sat in silence. She closed her eyes and allowed the sun’s light to wash over her as she recalled the Light of the World. She had attended church all her life but felt closer to God here on this hill than in stuffy chapels.

When she opened her eyes again, this time with a soft smile and peace in her heart, she noticed Darcy watching her closely. She blushed.

“Did you pray?” he asked.

“Not really,” Elizabeth shrugged. “Sometimes I just sit and think about Him. If I can calm my movements and mind, I can feel His nearness. Sometimes, I just want to drink that in.”

“That sounds so…”

He trailed off for a moment, and Elizabeth thought he would condemn her. Her beliefs and practices were unusual, and her mother never condoned them.

“That sounds so liberating,” he said on an exhale. “I often get so busy doing what is right, what the Church teaches, that it is done out of custom.” He frowned. “My family always said our prayers together…but it was mere lip service. The effects of Jesus had not entered into them. Perhaps they needed to adopt your practice and sit in His presence more.”

“My family is surely the opposite of yours. My mother’s childhood was fraught with religious disputes. Her parents had belonged to the Church, but her mother died while she was young. When my grandfather remarried, his new wife was Unitarian. My Uncle Gardiner was raised that way, but Mama and Aunt Philips stayed with the Anglican church. Papa’s family only attended on the major holidays and did nothing at home.” Elizabeth stared into the distance. “Strangely, I suppose I was not too different from you. I saw the effects of lives that desperately needed something real. My aunt Gardiner encouraged me to find my own faith.”

“It must have been difficult for her to convert.”

“I think in many ways it was,” Elizabeth said. “She loves telling her story. You should ask her about it.”

Darcy nodded and pulled a small book out of his breast pocket. “I know we will attend service in a few hours, but it is my custom to read the usual psalms before matins.” He chuckled. “Maybe I dislike getting them out of order for the Holy Days.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Would you read them to me?”

She looked at the beauty of God’s creation as her betrothed’s warm voice washed over her. The first chapter stole her breath. David praised God for making him and loving him despite his faults. The psalm explained that God only makes good things and had made him, too. Her heart squeezed at the thought.

She did not realise she had begun to cry until she felt Darcy’s hand cradle her cheek. He gently dabbed at the tears with his handkerchief.

“God made you and watched over you in your mother’s womb, my love.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, making Elizabeth take a shuddery breath. “I praise Him for making you—every bit of you. Precious are all my thoughts of you, Elizabeth.”

He pulled her into his embrace. A spark of hope lit in Elizabeth’s heart. Maybe she was not so broken and unlovable after all. She wanted to believe Darcy’s words about her, but she had been disappointed by her family, who should have loved her no matter what. How could he mean those words when he did not love her…at least not romantically, not as she desired. He did not even believe in the concept.

Despite that, she gathered strength from his presence and his care. Unfortunately, despite how heavenly it felt in his arms, they had to return to Longbourn. She needed to find the fortitude to withdraw…and then carry on as though her heart was not simultaneously shattered yet beating ferociously.

“We should go,” Darcy whispered into her hair where he had rested his head.

She nodded, and he released her and then helped her to her feet. Instead of placing her hand on his arm, he looped his fingers through hers this time. Elizabeth felt too much to speak at all on the return walk. While she could not describe what had occurred between them, she knew she was not alone. Darcy was at her side. With him, she could bear whatever the next few days would bring.

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Blurb

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Giveaway

I’m offering a few different prizes with six chances to win! There are three different bookmark styles and tea samples from Regency Tea Trading Co. I will also be offering a free ebook. For the grand prize I will be offering all of the above as well as a signed print copy of the book.

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