Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 1)

by Hildie McQueen

  Aurora Middleton loses her best friend and a chance of love at the same time. When confronted with how horrible her life will become, she makes a decision that brings a monumental change. Moving west, leaving all she’s ever known will either be a fresh start or the beginning of something worse.

  Evan Jones left his life of high society firmly back east. Now the small town doctor has a comfortable life in the Laurel, Montana. When a storm hits, he offers Aurora Middleton and her friend a place to stay all the time resenting the attraction he feels to a woman that reminds him of a life he’d purposely left in the past.

  Two Other Stories I know you’ll enjoy!

  Beneath A Silver Sky – What happens with a young woman’s first love is a hardened man?

  Trouble follows Brogan Hage into Silver City, Idaho, when injuries force him to seek medical attention. An unexpected offer has him thinking about settling in the bustling town. Between outlaws showing up and a beautiful passionate woman, the hardened lawman is not sure which is more dangerous.

  Town doctor’s daughter, Sarah Sutherland, finds herself fiercely attracted to the wounded U.S. Marshal in her care. The fact he has a reputation for ruthlessness does not stop her from falling in love.

  Under A Silver Moon – Lucas McKade and Camille Johnston, attempt to leave the past behind only to find true happiness, comes only they face it. The shadows of the past fall over Silver City, Idaho casting its darkness over a man and a woman attempting to start anew.

  When US Marshal Lucas McKade, new deputy of Silver City, Idaho decided to settle down, he didn’t consider bringing complications to the town. Against every instinct he seeks out apothecary owner Camille Johnston, a woman who calls to his basic nature to protect and to make his.

  Camille knows that eventually the secrets of her past will come to haunt, yet she hopes to keep things hidden as long as possible and enjoy her lonely but peaceful existence in Silver City. The new deputy brings with him desires she’d thought firmly shut away. A relationship of any kind would mean dangerous consequences.

  About the Author

  Whether a rancher, a highlander or a hunky cowboy, you will fall in love with Hildie McQueen’s heroes!

  Hello Dear Reader. Writing is my dream come true. There is nothing I love more than bringing my characters and stories to life and sharing them with you.

  I thoroughly loved writing Wilhelmina and Marcus’ story. If you enjoyed Wilhelmina, A Winter Bride, please recommend it to your friends and family and leave me a review.

  I love hearing from my readers and am always excited when you join my newsletter to keep abreast of new releases and other things happening in my world. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

  Newsletter sign up: http://goo.gl/PH6D00

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorHildieMcQueen

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildiemcqueenwriter/

  Email: mailto:Hildie@HildieMcQueen.com

  Website: http://www.HildieMcQueen.com

  Keep Calm and Read On!!

  First Chapter for

  Aurora,

  A Romantic Bride

  by Hildie McQueen

  Chapter One

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1872

  With each click of silverware and every indignant sniff, Aurora became more convinced her decision to run away from it all was the right one.

  Mrs. Jameson, her soon to be mother-in-law’s calculating gaze shifted to her and Aurora’s blood ran cold. What would the dragon expect of her now? Not yet a member of the elite Jameson family and already the burden to become a “pillar” of society grew heavy.

  “Aurora, I expect your help in planning the spring ball. It will be our first social event with you as part of the family. We can’t disappoint.”

  Disappoint whom? Every suck up in town would attend and pronounce it the best event ever. Of course, there would be whispers in smaller circles criticizing every detail, from the decorations to the outfits they wore. None, however would openly criticize a member of the Jameson family for fear of being found out and ostracized from society.

  Aurora’s own closest friend Wilhelmina had been tarnished and subsequently sent away because of one of the Jameson’s.

  Assuring a pleasant smile Aurora met the woman’s gaze. “Of course.” Fortunately her reply was with a much stronger voice than she’d thought possible as mentally she’d already moved away and could care less about any ball or what the people they associated with thought about.

  Her family was prominent and included in every guest list in the area. Not because they had a lot of money, but mainly because of her father’s title. His aristocratic lineage was of high value and since Aurora was the eldest of the only two daughters, whoever married her would be the next Duke of Edenton.

  Her mother, who constantly fawned over Mrs. Jameson, for whatever reason smiled primly. “Of course both of us will help. Anything you need, all you have to do is ask. It’s such a wonderful thing for our two families to join.”

  Ever since Aurora had become engaged to Milford Jameson, one would think it was her mother who wore the five-carat monstrosity weighing Aurora’s left hand. Her mother constantly fell over backwards to accommodate any request by the Jameson’s, especially the matriarch.

  Her father on the other hand, was the opposite, expecting everyone else for the most part to direct his social life. If left to his own, he’d remain in his study reading and scribbling ideas about social economic findings. Not surprisingly, he had little to say on the marriage and for that Aurora was grateful. He listened to her lament on the idea of marrying someone she didn’t love with a gentle pat on the shoulder.

  Once in a while when she’d asked if there was a way out of the predicament, he’d comment. “We all have to do what is expected,” which of course didn’t help her feel any better.

  This night her father was much more interested in the lively conversation with the male in attendance on the expansion of the railroad towards the northwest interjecting he’d known all along it would be a good investment eventually.

  The damned railroad was the main reason Aurora found herself in the dreadful situation of marrying the stone-faced man who’s calculating gaze met hers every so often. A constant reminder of what he’d told her to expect after the meal.

  He demanded she allow him more access to her body. Not quite so far as to take her virginity, for he pronounced he’d not pursue full intimacy until after the wedding, but enough to satisfy him. Whatever that meant.

  Although he was not unattractive and power did add appeal to Milford Jameson, it was his demeanor that she found unpleasant. He rarely smiled and usually kept his eyes half closed, as if bored and his voice, it irritated her so much.

  When he spoke, instead of a deep masculine sound, it was shrill, a higher pitch then one would expect from a man. Silly things Aurora found annoying, probably because of the forced marriage to him.

  She pushed food around on her plate, her appetite gone once the reminder of Milford doing who knew what to her struck. She slid a glance to her father and considered feigning illness.

  Her plan was in place to leave Philadelphia. She’d stolen away items to a cousin’s house one bag load at a time, then later, using the excuse of gifting Esther clothing, she’d taken dresses and shoes.

  Thank God she could rely on her wonderful cousin. Esther was a beautiful vibrant woman, who understood Aurora’s situation perfectly. Just seven years earlier at the tender age of sixteen her cousin was married to a much older man in her family’s effort to gain social standing.

  The man had turned out to be a miserly sort who doled out just enough money to barely pay for necessities. As a result, although her sisters had gained invitations to social affairs, Esther had never set foot at social events again. Her clothing became dull and old since her husband refused to pay for new clothing, claiming she already owned too many.

  Thanks to Esther’s marriage, her family’s gain had been the demise of he
r otherwise happy life. In spite of her situation, Esther became industrious in finding ways around her husband’s stinginess and had developed beautiful soap making skills. The sales of her soaps brought her income, which she saved and used to purchase small necessities.

  Aurora shivered at the thought that although the Jameson’s would most definitely ensure she maintained an up to date wardrobe, like Esther, she’d give up happiness in exchange for marriage.

  The entire engagement had come to be quite unexpectedly, to Aurora anyway. She’d been forced into the marriage when her father’s investment of the entire family fortune was lost on a railroad venture.

  Now just a few short month’s later, his investment had paid off and her family was once again wealthy. However, it was too late for her and afraid to lose social status, her parents could never request the retraction of the engagement.

  Of course the Jameson’s had jumped on the opportunity to gain a title for their eldest son, Milford, who’d pronounced Aurora to be an attractive woman who’d fit perfectly in the role of his wife.

  Role indeed, she mentally kicked him under the table.

  When Milford’s startled gaze met hers, she gasped. “Sorry, my leg cramped,” Aurora fought not to giggle at having actually kicked him.

  “Are you unwell? You haven’t touched your food. Excited about something perhaps?” His attempt at humor only made her want to throw up the little food she had eaten.

  “I am a bit uneasy tonight. Something didn’t quite sit well with me,” Aurora replied with a pointed look satisfied at noting the tight lines around her intended’s mouth.

  “I’m sure you’ll feel better later.” He looked away, dismissing her for the moment.

  Aurora looked around the table. With painted on smiles and nods at whatever boring dribble the person next to them said, it was evident the only person enjoying the evening was her father. The triumphant air at no longer being financially dependent on the Jameson’s had him positively glowing.

  She loved the often-distracted man like no one else. From his crooked spectacles, to the unruly mop of hair and lopsided cravat, he never pretended to be anyone special. Yet he had the title, the one thing every one of the pretentious people around the table coveted.

  As the meal finally ended and people congregated in circles to drink and continue conversing, Aurora fortified herself for time alone with Milford.

  “Oh my goodness!” someone cried out as her soon to be mother in law fell limp to the floor. The matriarch, who was not above theatrics to get attention, or ensure there was some sort of talk of the dinner afterwards lay on the thick carpet in a perfect pose ensuring her face was dramatically full of despair.

  Milford, his brother Earnest and the husband rushed to her side as she lifted a hand to her brow.

  “Darling, let us help you to the bedroom. You must have over taxed yourself tonight,” Mr. Jameson exclaimed, his gaze meeting someone’s across the room. Aurora followed his line of sight.

  Gertrude Mansfield’s, a woman Aurora heard was the man’s latest lover, met his gaze and her lips curved as if holding back a secret while she watched the drama unfold.

  Women coo’ed at Milford’s mother as he and his father helped her to the stairway, and not a second later they moved away and reached for a fresh cocktail. It was well understood. They were to remain until Mr. Jameson returned to give an update on his wife’s health.

  The conversation buzzed as Aurora moved closer to the patio doorway.

  “I hope you are paying attention to your mother in law’s lessons on how to keep your social events forefront on society’s lips.” The woman, Gertrude had come to stand next to her.

  She was pretty in a no-nonsense sort of way, her dark hair pulled up into a tumble of curls. Gertrude rolled her eyes and curled her upper lip. “All she had to do was feign a headache and excuse herself if she was bored of our company. Of course that would not have made for gossip fodder.”

  “It does cut our evening short, which is distressful for some of the guests. This way she cannot be blamed.” Aurora said immediately regretting her slip. “However, I’m sure she overtaxed herself today.”

  The woman smiled and Aurora immediately liked her. “Perhaps this is a good time for me to slip away. I find myself with a headache.”

  Gertrude lifted an eyebrow. “I can certainly understand why.”

  Not wanting to ponder what Gertrude knew, Aurora nodded and hurried away.

  She went to her father, who stood next to doors leading outside through the gardens. “Enjoy the rest of your evening father. I’m going home. I have a headache.”

  He looked around the room and huffed. “Quite so. I’ll join you.” He motioned for her mother who shook her head. “Ah well, she’ll ride home with the Patterson’s I’m sure as she will remain until the end to ensure our hostess is not in grave danger of sudden death.” He mumbled and Aurora laughed gaining astonished looks.

  “Come Father before you get me in more trouble.”

  Continue reading Aurora: http://amzn.to/2giUJ2G