by Grace Walton
Jess lovingly rubbed her hands over the neat, round mound of her belly. “I’m sure you’re making too much of my pregnancy, Nancy,” the beautiful young aristocrat soothed.
“I agree with Miss Jess,” huffed Tirzah. “They ain’t no shame in a married woman carrying a babe. Specially one that’s wanted as much as this one is.”
The black woman had made the voyage across the demon Atlantic Ocean under duress. She’d never been a good sailor. And she was purely tired of all this fussing and primping. Nothing was going to make Miss Jess any more beautiful than she was. The girl had fairly shone with an inner angelic light ever since she’d married the Duke of Maitland. And the babe she was carrying only added to her astounding splendor. All the fancy clothes in the world couldn’t add to her beauty a whit.
Course, that fine white gown Miss Jess was wearing didn’t hurt. It was almost a match to the one they’d sewn for Rory out of the China silk they’d found in the attic of her plantation house all those years ago. This one was constructed of priceless satin. And it was encrusted with so many jewels, Tirzah wondered if the slim girl would be able to make her way up from the deep court curtsey she’d been practicing all across that wide awful ocean.
“It’s just not the done thing. A woman, especially a high-born woman, stays hidden away when she’s enceinte,” the twitchy servant droned on.
Her arrogance was annoying. But Jess dared not give her the upbraiding she so richly deserved. The new Duchess of Maitland was at pains to do nothing that would humiliate her beloved husband.
But the Duke, who entered the receiving room just in time to hear the spiteful maid belittle his wife, was not so constrained.
“Go fetch your wages from my steward,” he ordered with a hard, cold glare. “Your services are no longer required.”
“But your Grace,” sputtered the alarmed woman. “She has no idea how to go along.” The hapless woman had the poor judgement to point at Jess with an accusing finger. “You will be made a laughing stock in front of the whole court.”
Finn scowled down at her. “She is the Duchess of Maitland and your better in every regard. I will require your apology before you take your leave.”
“I humbly beg your pardon, Milord.” The beleaguered woman sank into a deep curtsy.
Finn snapped his fingers in disgust to get the maid’s attention. “Not to me, you silly twit. Make your apology to my wife, the Duchess.”
“Of… of course, Your Grace.” Nancy stumbled over both her words and her feet as she rushed to make another equally impressive obeisance to Jess. Then the poor frightened woman scurried from the chamber like the vermin she was.
“Why didn’t you dismiss that horror?” Finn asked as he made his way to his wife’s side.
Jess smiled at the sight of her handsome husband. He looked awe-inspiring in his formal court suit. It was entirely black except for a pristine white shirt and neck-cloth. And, of course, it was fitted to his superb masculine body like the proverbial glove. Since her arrival in London a fortnight past, Jess had heard more than one stylish matron sigh over the sight of His Grace, the Duke of Maitland.
“I don’t want to do anything to bring shame to you, Finn,” Jess confessed. “And all this is so strange to me. Everyone says what they don’t mean and acts like they’re you’re friend when they may, in truth, despise you. It’s all very confusing. If I knew for certain Connor has delivered that plaguey letter to Mr. Bassett, I wouldn’t have sailed to England in the first place.”
She thought of how she’d entrusted the missive to her brother the night she’d married. It was still a question as to why the spy master and the French pretender hadn’t made an appearance at the Avansley ball. Both had disappeared from Savannah that night. It was troubling. As was the veiled threat made by Hellwise Smithe. Somehow, she was certain the two were connected in some devious way. But Jess didn’t ponder long on Arthur Bassettt’s fate, for her husband distracted her.
Finn’s chuckle was low and intimate. It set the fine hairs on the back of Jess’s neck to rising. Usually when she heard that particular seductive sound they were tucked up, alone, in their huge be-curtained bed. As it transpired, Jess had not needed that night before the wedding talk Dorcas had always promised her. She and her new husband found they were perfectly suited in every regard.
He pulled her from the tufted stool in front of the ornate dressing table. He gathered her into his arms. He whispered into the pink shell of her ear. “You could never be the cause of shame to me, Duchess.”
She shivered involuntarily in his arms. The movement caused him to smile down wolfishly into her eyes.
“You all ain’t alone, you do recall that, don’t you,” the black woman’s voice brought the pair up short.
“I ain’t got no issue with a man and his wife lovin’ each other with they whole heart and body. But they’s a time and they’s a place for what y’all is up to. And this ain’t neither one. We gots us a king to go meet. And Miss Jess, that Nancy done run off for she put your crown on.”
Tirzah held up the cornet. It was a dazzling jewel. One that should, even now, be delicately encircling Jess’s tumble of fairy-like golden hair. Instead, it sat in the fat black woman’s ample hands. The diamonds the making up the pendant and band twinkled in the firelight and flickering candles of the chamber.
Finn had last seen the ducal cornet upon his mother’s head as she’d majestically entered a ball at Maitland House over fifteen years past. Now, his wife would wear it with distinction to meet the king.
“Let me do the honors,” he requested as he held out a steady hand to receive the priceless jewel.
Tirzah smiled wide as she gave him the little crown. She watched as he lifted it. With great precision, Finn settled it upon his beautiful wife’s tresses.
“You are, by far, the loveliest, wisest, kindest, and most alluring woman I’ve ever known,” he said as he raised her hand. He kissed its back and then he pressed a far more intimate kiss into her palm. “How is it that I have been so fortunate as to become your husband?”
Jess smiled up at him through a quick wash of tears. “I often ask myself how have I been so fortunate as to become your wife, Your Grace?”
“Well, I believe both Your Graces better stop your billin’ and cooin’,” scolded Tirzah. “Cause that no-account Griffin is coming down the hall, right this very minute. And I can see he’s draggin’ an Indian girl behind him. And she ain’t none too pleased with him, by the look of her.”
Recipe for Savannah Trifle
Trifle was a very popular dessert during the Regency era. It is quite simple to make. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making custard, whipped cream, & pound cake, you can use instant vanilla pudding, Kool Whip, commercial jam, and Sara Lee frozen pound cake. Though the taste of the real thing is far superior!
Ingredients
3C milk
3/4 C sugar
1T corn starch
3 eggs
1/4C cream sherry, rum, or a non-alcoholic, flavored coffee syrup like Toriani
3/4 lb sliced pound cake
1C whipped cream
Fruits of your choice or a jar of good jam
Nuts of your choice
Directions
Scald milk. Combine sugar & cornstarch, stirring well. Add eggs to sugar mixture. Beat well until blended. Stir some of the hot milk into egg mixture, this is to temper the eggs so they don’t curdle. Add to remaining hot milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick & custard coats a metal spoon. Cool completely. Add sherry/rum/coffee syrup. Put cake, custard, and fruit in layers w/ whipped cream & nuts on top. Garnish with cherries. Fruits that may be used: peaches, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, crushed pineapple – really any fruit/jam that is your favorite. Or even a combination of fruits is nice. I let my trifle sit in the frig over night to develop a nice flavor. This dish is best made in a tall, clear glass bowl so your guests can see the pretty layers. I use a footed Pyrex bowl. But I’
ve seen huge trifles made in crystal punch bowls, served in crystal punch cups for Southern wedding dinners. So beautiful!
Book Club Discussion Starters
Who was your favourite character and why?
Who was the character you disliked the most and why?
Did you personally relate to any specific character on a Spiritual level?
Did the Lord speak to you personally in response to something you read?
If you had to describe your take-away from The Last Broken Promise in one sentence, what would it be?
What is one practical, measurable change you can incorporate into your life as a result of your reading this novel?
About The Author
I’m a forgiven Christian, a happy wife of 39 years, a proud mother of two grown children, and a spanking brand new Grandmama. Over the years, God has been so, so good to me. I’ve been a busy public school teacher, a mediocre opera singer, a toe nail painting dog groomer, a bad caterer, and now it seems a hopeful writer. Because God has blessed me, I’ve been published in many genres- newspapers, magazines, blogs, books, and even screenwriting. One of my scripts, ‘Angel in the Aisles’, won a Silver Telly for excellence in cable broadcasting. Another, a modern day version of the Bible story of Esther, was produced into a full length movie entitled ‘For a Time Like This’. Last year, several of my novels made the best seller lists in their respective categories. And the cover for my contemporary, Birdie Saves The World, recently placed fourth in an international book cover contest- it was the only small press book to do so!
I continue to be amazed at what God can do with the very little I have to offer.
I’m hoping you enjoyed The Last Broken Promise. Writing it, I thought and prayed long and hard about vows and promises. I admit, I’ve broken too many of them in my life. Even though I know how highly God values honesty, I still sometimes fall short in keeping my word. The Bible has a lot to say about the holiness of keeping vows. I am struck by how often I bend and even break simple promises. Most times, sadly, I do it for my own convenience. Sometimes I break faith, with myself, others, and even the Lord just because I’m frightened. Writing The Last Broken Promise helped me realize how I wound myself and others when I don’t keep my promises. Even the tiniest broken vow is a lapse in my faith. My prayer for you, as well as for myself, is that God will show us every time we miss out on keeping a promise. And that His grace will help us all become more diligent in keeping the faith. I want to please the Lord. And I believe learning to keep all my promises will please Him. What do you think? Love Never Fails, Grace Walton
Questions or comments? Contact me at: http://www.gracewalton.wordpress.com
Other Christian Books by Grace Walton
Coming Soon
Beyond Blessed: 100 Steps Towards Simplicity, Frugality, Spirituality, & Peace
Hope’s Reward
Tea Cup Christmas
Available Now on Amazon
Medievals
Mercy’s Heart
Faith’s Keys
Magpie’s Masque
Regencies
The Last Broken Promise
The Last Rose Pearl
Supernaturals/ Dystopian Novels
One Nation Under gods
The Giftlings
Contemporary Romance
Birdie Saves The World
Carried Away
More from This Author
I have other novels in print/eBook-’The Giftlings’, is a paranormal inspirational romance suitable for all ages. If you liked the Twilight series, but want something with a more wholesome Christian message, this might be the book for you. A sample chapter can be read for free by following the link below.
Click here for more details and to buy: http://amzn. com/B0084UZ4SQ
‘Mercy’s Heart’ is a historical inspirational romance set in Medieval England. I call it my Christian Fairy Tale. It’s an amazing love story. So if you like Knights in Shining Armor and love a ‘Cinderella’ heroine transformation, you’ll like ‘Mercy’s Heart’. It is available at the following link.
Click here for more details and to buy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EKVOVTG
My novel ‘Faith’s Keys’ is the sequel to ‘Mercy’s Heart’. It is another Medieval Historical that takes you to the heart of a damaged man’s redemption. And into a woman’s journey for self-worth. Click here to learn more: http://www.amazon.com/Faiths-Keys-ChristKeepers-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00LT6CIOK
If you fell in love with Rafe [Titus’s uncle in MH] and like Magpie [the ragamuffin pseudo squire from that same book], their love story is now available here: Magpie’s Masque.
‘Carried Away’ is my Cowboy Inspirational Romance. It’s a Contemporary. Funny, heartwarming, gritty, and a wild ride from start to finish, ‘Carried Away’ combines all the heart-stopping adventure of an action movie with the quirky charm of a romantic comedy. If you like your Inspirational Romance with an alpha-male and a spunky heroine, you’ll love ‘Carried Away’ Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Carried-Montana-Miracles-Grace-Walton-ebook/dp/B00H8BPTVO
My very favorite Inspirational Romance Novel I’ve penned to date is, ‘Birdie Saves The World’. Its characters are by far the most engaging I’ve written IMHO. I love Birdie O’Brien. She’s the sister-in-the-Lord every woman wants. And the hero Shiloh Buchannan is completely swoon-worthy. If you like your Contemporaries with rich powerful men and innocent, endearing women, this one is definitely for you. Links here, as well as book trailers: www.gracewalton.com http://www.amazon.com/Birdie-Saves-World-Grace-Walton-ebook/dp/B00HBAJLB6
‘The Last Rose Pearl’, my Regency Inspirational Romance, is a longer read as well as one with elements of redemption and regeneration. It’s set in 1813 Savannah, Ga. and London, England. If you like this genre, you’ll enjoy going back to this elegant time period to live vicariously among the lords and ladies of that age. And the love story and adventure are especially compelling.
Here is the purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Rose-Pearl-Country-ebook/dp/B00NF0MJY2
One Last Thing. . .
When you turn the page, Kindle will give you the opportunity to rate this book and share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter. If you believe the book is worth sharing, please would you take a few seconds to let your friends know about it? If it turns out to make a difference in their lives, they’ll be forever grateful to you, as will I.
Love Never Fails,
Grace
