Love's Second Chance Series Box Set One by Bree Wolf

Author:Bree Wolf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bree Wolf
Published: 2018-05-25T06:03:38+00:00

Chapter One − A Blessing in Disguise

Twelve Years Later

“Have you heard?” Madeline Jeffries exclaimed, almost choking on her tea as the words flew out of her mouth. Coughing, she tried to regain her composure, her dark curls bouncing up and down with each fit.

“Heard what?” Ellie asked, setting down her teacup. She flexed her right hand to loosen her tight muscles and then absentmindedly massaged the scarred tissue between thumb and index finger. Would she ever regain the flexibility she used to have?

Two years ago, a candle left unattended had burned down half the house, almost claiming the life of Ellie’s little brother Stephen. Although Ellie had been able to save him, she had paid a dear price. While the house had since been restored to its former glory, Ellie’s skin still spoke of the day that had changed her life.

“Frederick Lancaster is returning from the war.”

At his name, Ellie’s eyes snapped open, her tense muscles forgotten. “He is?” she gasped before trying to lend her enquiries a nonchalant air. “Was he injured?”

Madeline shrugged, taking another careful sip now that she had shared her news. “I do not know. If he was, I believe it was nothing too severe. Otherwise, I am certain I would have heard of it.”

Closing her eyes, Ellie took a deep breath. Although they had not spoken in years, Ellie had never been able to forget the honourable youth who had saved her reputation that hot afternoon long ago. Her mother had never found out, and neither Frederick or rather Rick−as she secretly thought of him−nor his friends had ever let anything slip of her daring adventure that day.

“I am glad that he is well,” Ellie couldn’t help but say. Her friend, however, didn’t seem to think it an odd statement as she continued sipping her tea. “I worried that something might happen to him especially now that his father has passed. I am sure he will be of great comfort to his mother.”

“I suppose so,” Madeline said. “Unfortunately for him, he is not returning to claim a title. He is still the same man he was before his father passed, and as a second son, he will always be.”

Ellie frowned. “Even if he had inherited the title, he would still be the same man. He would only have different responsibilities.”

Madeline laughed. “These responsibilities−as you call them−are what make and break a man. If he had inherited his father’s title, he would now command his family’s assets and could choose any woman he wanted for his bride. Her dowry in turn would allow him to further his family's standing, which he then could pass on to his heir.” Madeline shook her head. “A title is the fine line between significant…and worthless.”

“He is not worthless!” Ellie snapped. “How can you speak so?”

“I’m sorry, Dear Elsbeth. I did not mean to offend your delicacies, nor did I mean to offend him. I am certain Frederick Lancaster is a marvellous man. I was merely pointing out that as a second son, his possibilities are severely limited.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.