by Jane Peart
She remembered what she and Duncan had talked about earlier.
“If you agree, darling, I should like to call the baby Cameron. They have been such good friends.”
Cameron, she repeated to herself. Yes, she liked the name. It sounded strong and honorable, a fine name for their son and the heir to Montclair.
As difficult as it might be to imagine now, one day that small baby would be a man, and Montclair would be his. And one day he would bring his bride here, and they would have children—sons, who would then bring their brides here to this beautiful house that Duncan had built, which they were making into a home at last.
Perhaps, Noramary thought dreamily, there would be daughters, too, to be betrothed under the spreading branches of the newly planted elms or married in the lovely garden.
Noramary smiled to herself as she closed her eyes. Montclair would become legendary, like the love she and Duncan shared, triumphing over hardships, heartaches, trials. Montclair, like their love, would survive through all the years to come.
She twisted the heavy gold and amethyst ring on her finger, the traditional ring given the Montrose brides, thinking of the other women who would wear it.
She, Noramary Marsh, had been the first bride to come here… but not the last… no, not the last… she sighed happily.
Family Tree
In Scotland
Brothers GAVIN and ROWAN MONTROSE, descendants of the chieftan of the Clan Graham, came to Virginia to build on an original King’s Grant of two thousand acres along the James River. They began to clear, plant, and build upon it.
In 1722, GAVIN’S son, KENNETH MONTROSE, brought his bride, CLAIR FRASER, from Scotland, and they settled in Williamsburg while their plantation house—“Montclair”— was being planned and built. They had three children: sons KENNETH and DUNCAN, and daughter JANET.
In England
The Barnwell Family
GEORGE BARNWELL first married WINIFRED AINSELY, and they had two sons: GEORGE and WILLIAM. BARNWELL later married a widow, ALICE CARY, who had a daughter, ELEANORA.
ELEANORA married NORBERT MARSH (widower with son, SIMON), and they had a daughter, NORAMARY.
In Virginia
Since the oldest son inherits, GEORGE BARNWELL’S younger son, WILLIAM, came to Virginia, settled in Williamsburg, and started a shipping and importing business.
WILLIAM married ELIZABETH DEAN, and they had four daughters: WINNIE, LAURA, KATE, and SALLY. WILLIAM and ELIZABETH adopted NORAMARY when she was sent to Virginia at twelve years of age.
About the Author
Jane Peart, award-winning novelist and short story writer, grew up in North Carolina and was educated in New England. Although she now lives in northern California, her heart has remained in her native South—its people, its history, and its traditions. With more than 20 novels and 250 short stories to her credit, Jane likes to emphasize in her writing the timeless and recurring themes of family, traditional values, and a sense of place.
Ten years in the writing, the Brides of Montclair series is a historical, family saga of enduring beauty. In each new book, another generation comes into its own at the beautiful Montclair estate, near Williamsburg, Virginia. These compelling, dramatic stories reaffirm the importance of committed love, loyalty, courage, strength of character, and abiding faith in times of triumph and tragedy, sorrow and joy.
About the Publisher
Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, newmedia products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan(www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.
Share Your Thoughts
With the Author: Your comments will be forwarded to the author when you send them to [email protected].
With Zondervan: Submit your review of this book by writing to [email protected].
Free Online Resources at
www.zondervan.com/hello
Zondervan AuthorTracker: Be notified whenever your favorite authors publish new books, go on tour, or post an update about what’s happening in their lives.
Daily Bible Verses and Devotions: Enrich your life with daily Bible verses or devotions that help you start every morning focused on God.
Free Email Publications: Sign up for newsletters on fiction, Christian living, church ministry, parenting, and more.
Zondervan Bible Search: Find and compare Bible passages in a variety of translations at www.zondervanbiblesearch.com.
Other Benefits: Register yourself to receive online benefits like coupons and special offers, or to participate in research.
