The Ties that Bind: An emotional and addictive historical timeslip novel (The Hands of Time Book 6) by Irina Shapiro

Author:Irina Shapiro [Shapiro, Irina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: 2024-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

FORTY-THREE

Charles did not rush home. Instead, he found a secluded spot and settled beneath a leafy tree. It was a glorious afternoon, and the slanted rays of the sun cast a golden light on the clearing. Charles removed his hat and turned his face toward the sky, drinking in the warmth and the church-like silence. He so rarely got any peace these days. It was heavenly to just sit beneath the tree with no one asking anything of him, complaining, crying, or sulking. He’d always thought that it must be awful to be alone, but in small doses it was bliss.

He enjoyed a brief nap before turning his mind to the problem at hand. He would feel an absolute villain if he allowed Bethany to be disgraced and punished. Even if his name was never bandied about in connection with hers, he was a man of honor and owed her a debt. Charles rested his arms behind his head and watched the clouds floating above. Finding a husband in Jamestown was no simple matter. There were plenty of unmarried men among the indentures, but they were in no position to marry, legally or financially. Charles mentally cast his eye over the church congregation. Doctor Jacobson would be a desirable candidate, having recently lost his wife, but being a medical man, he’d suspect that Bethany was already with child, and that simply wouldn’t do. Despite his promise to Alec, Charles had no intention of revealing Bethany’s pregnancy unless he absolutely had to.

The man Bethany married had to believe that the child was his and had simply come a bit earlier than expected. Bethany wasn’t that far along, so at this point, the scheme could still work. But how could he entice someone to marry his mistress without telling them the truth of the situation? Why would a man who is not in any way connected to Bethany Warren be trying to arrange a marriage for her and offering a financial incentive? Tongues would start to wag within five minutes of his approaching the first would-be bridegroom, making the situation even worse. Charles had to be very discreet, and only approach anyone he thought would be open to his proposal. Charles closed his eyes and tried to envision the single men he knew.

There were two men in their seventies, so Charles crossed them off the list, along with a dozen teenage boys who were too young for Bethany. Their parents would not wish them to marry a widow several years their senior. No, it had to be a widower. Cousin Wesley? Charles thought, but instantly dismissed Wesley Gaines as a candidate. Wesley had made Harry his heir, but if he married Bethany and she was delivered of a boy, Harry would no longer inherit his grandfather’s estate.

David Strong? No, there was talk that he’d beaten his wife to death. He was a violent man who liked his drink, and he had three teenage sons who were as brutish as their sire.

Ethan Bartlett? Charles sat up, suddenly hopeful.

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.