by Rachel Hauck
The light shifted, dropping lower, sparking off delicate blue china cups. Corina laughed, reaching for the nearest one. “Adelaide served me tea in these cups. She said King Stephen I had them made for him and Queen Magdalena.”
“I never heard of these cups.” Stephen picked up the second cup. “Things like this are kept in the royal archives.” Turning his cup over, he whistled low. “Corina, the crown and the sword . . . the House of Stratton cipher.”
“She said King Stephen I and Queen Magdalena served the people with a set of these.”
He made a face as he studied the blue-and-white cup. “Funny thing . . . it feels perfect in my hand. As if I’ve held it a hundred times.”
“There are so many ‘funny things’ about this, Stephen.” Corina looked toward where the Manor had once been. She missed the warm golden light of the front window. The sense of beckoning, “Come to me.”
“The Manor is gone, but the tiara, the cups remained,” Stephen said. “I feel as if I’ve stepped into some divine wrinkle in time.”
Corina laughed softly. “Our own fairy tale.”
“What do you think it all means. A tiara and teacups?”
Suddenly all of Adelaide’s diatribes about true love converged into a single truth. “That if we want to be royals and have all the benefits and authority, to be respected, then we must be willing to drink of these cups, to serve the common man. Be like Jesus. Lead through serving.”
A sober-faced Stephen rose up, holding his cup. “I feel as if we should pray or something, you know? Thank the Lord. Seek his guidance.” He held out his hand to Corina. “If we’ve been given a gift. To know what he’s asking of us. Honor the One who honors us.”
Corina slipped her hand into his, tears sweeping across her eyes. “I feel rather undone.”
They stood together in silence, heads bowed, in the middle of the sidewalk under the Cathedral City sky.
Then, as Stephen began to pray, “Teach us how to be royal and humble, Holy Spirit,” the cathedral bells began their six o’clock cadence, their call to prayer pealing through the delicate, crisp fall night.
THE LIBERTY PRESS
1 December
The King’s Office announced today that a rare diamond tiara, lost from King Stephen I’s era, has been found.
“We’re delighted to have a return of this treasured family heirloom,” said a spokesman for the palace. “Princess Corina discovered the rare piece while touring an old inn in the city and returned it to the family jewels. The royal family is thrilled to have Queen Magdalena’s crown safe where it belongs.”
The palace has reserved the tiara for use by the new Princess of Brighton, HRH Princess Corina.
Well, how do you like that? Corina smiled as she folded the newspaper, dropping it beside the bed, as she reached to turn out the light. She paused with a sigh as thick snowflakes fell past the window through the palace lights.
Adelaide, Brill, wherever you are, thank you for watching over me. Over us.
Stephen had called Nathaniel and declared a snow day tomorrow, mentioning something about a snow fort and snowball fight.
Oh, there was so much to learn and love about him.
She snapped the lamp switch and burrowed under the covers, curling against the strong body of her warm, gently sleeping husband.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Corina has a pretty amazing secret. But it’s overshadowed by a tragedy. We all respond differently to hardship. How would you have responded if you were Corina?
2. Not only is Corina’s joy brought down by immense sadness, her family falls apart. Corin felt she needed to be there for them. What about you? Would you put your life on hold for five and a half years to “be there for your family.” Is there a limit to how much we give to others to our own detriment?
3. Prince Stephen is dealing with the pain of Afghanistan by forgetting who he really is—a prince. He spends his time on the rugby pitch. In dealing with disappointment, it’s easy to run, or get angry. How have you learned to deal with disappointment, or devastation?
4. A lot of times we don’t like the identity we’ve been born with, or even marry into. Stephen struggles to step into his identity as a prince. Is there some aspect of your life you struggle to identify with? How can you be more accepting to the roles God has given you?
5. Corina’s family is wealthy but her father made her work for her money. Then when she wants to splurge on the painting for Stephen, she has the cash she needs. How fun is that? Even if we don’t earn a lot of money, we can live in a way that allows us to have extra, to be givers. What about you? Do you live in a way you can “give?”
6. In the midst of her sorrow, Corina hears a God whispers to love well. Doesn’t it seem to be the opposite of what we want or expect from God when seeking comfort? But it’s exactly what she needed. A mission. A holy command. Talk about a time in your life when God spoke life to you in the midst of sorrow.
7. Adelaide and Brill are unusual characters, no? To me they symbolize God’s interaction in our lives. Talk about a divine moment in your life—even if it seemed rather ordinary at the time.
8. This is the third book I’ve talked about the Brighton pastry “puffs.” Don’t they seem delicious? What do you envision them to taste like? What’s your favorite pastry?
9. How about that dress, the Diamatia? Then Corina’s mama donates it for charity and turns Corina’s room into a quiet room. She is trying to keep her son alive by changing nothing of his. Do you see where she’s coming from and how she might inadvertently treat Corina like she was gone too?
10. What does the Manor symbolize about Corina’s spiritual journey? If you could “show” your spiritual journey in the physical world, what would it look like?
11. Stephen has a pretty dynamic encounter with the Lord at the archbishop’s house. What was the significance for him in that moment? Have you had a similar experience?
12. After Stephen has his “come to Jesus” meeting everything changes. It’s so true of scripture that He makes all things new. And for Stephen it freed him to be who he was called to be. How can you have a moment like this in your life?
13. In the end, Stephen and Corina have their happily ever after. Did the story end in a satisfying way for you?
14. What was your favorite part about the book?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book, in some way, has empty spaces. I have empty spaces. Ones that only the Holy Spirit can fill.
I found myself in a physical battle while creatively struggling with this story. Not a good combination. Yet through it all, by God’s grace, I maintained my writing goals until my deadline, climbing to my office every day after a weak night of sleep, facing the page and writing despite my feelings, despite physical weakness.
As I prayed over this book, I felt the Lord would fill the “empty spaces” for each of you, telling you His own unique story to your heart. So ask Him. “Lord, what do you have for me as I read this book?”
God loves story. And He loves to speak to us through every aspect of our lives. So, see what He has in store for you as you read!
The good news is the physical struggle I faced has subsided and I’m back to myself. Prayer and the Word do work for all areas of our lives. Sometimes it requires a bit of warfare, but God is so very willing and able.
Special thanks to:
My publisher, Daisy Hutton, for her graciousness and understanding. We had to push the release out three months, a first for me, but it was needed to regroup. Thank you so very much, Daisy, for your friendship and partnership. I’m honored to work with you.
My editor, Becky Philpott, who was the first to get the call, “I’m not doing very well.” This being our first book together, I’d have chosen a different scenario, but I couldn’t control the extenuating circumstances. Becky, you graciously stood with me, cheered me, and read a very, very rough manuscript, returning to me with both praise and suggestions. You bless me, friend. Thank you so much for bein
g all an editor can be.
To the entire HarperCollins Christian Publishing team, thank you! What a joy! Marketing Director Katie Bond, we’re going on seven years together, friend! What a joy.
To Karli Jackson, Elizabeth Hudson, Becky Monds, Amanda Bostic, Kerri Potts, Jodi Hughes, and Kristen Vasgaard.
And to the amazing Jason Short, Ayannah Mers, and your team for all the great work you do on behalf of the authors. Thank you!!
Susan May Warren, my writing partner, for being on the other end of the phone so many times. Especially one Thursday evening when I called so boxed up I wasn’t sure I could write another word. Ever. You set aside your family dinner and hammered out the romantic journey with me, encouraged me, and reminded me almost daily, “You can do this. The Lord has got this!” I’ve always been honored and grateful for your friendship and partnership, but that night, you were a lighthouse on a dark, stormy sea. I’m so thankful to the Lord for you, friend!
Beth Vogt, my other lighthouse, who got the call, “I’m on page two hundred and the hero and heroine haven’t met yet!” This is never a good thing in romance world. You brainstormed the story with me on a Saturday night, lending me your doctor husband’s medical expertise on high ankle sprains. Thank you so much, Beth and Rob.
My agent, Chip MacGregor, for your support, wisdom, and friendship. I appreciate you so much.
Jean Bloom, my line editor, for your suggestions and insight.
To everyone who prayed for me in the hard season, especially my church family at Church on the Rock and Freedom Christian Center. Thank you. Prayer changes everything.
To my husband, Tony, for being amazing, for praying over me, for reminding me of who I am in Christ, for challenging me to stand and fight, for loving me. I cannot imagine this life without you.
To my Grandma, mom and sister, and my brothers. Love you all.
To Cara Putman for ideas and help. Thanks, friend.
To the readers who make it possible, and fun, for me to do my job. Thank you!
To Jesus, who partners with me on every book, who gives me ideas, help, and well, everything I need to do what He’s given me to do. I write for You!
To everyone who is hurting or finds themselves in a difficult place—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Know this, He loves you, He’s there for you and hears your prayers. There is nothing too big for Him to handle. Just trust. Believe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times, and Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.
VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.RACHELHAUCK.COM
TWITTER: RACHELHAUCK
FACEBOOK: RACHELHAUCK
