The Baron's Governess Bride
Page 24
Later, when Sophie read the lesson without making a single mistake her parents exchanged proud, fond smiles.
At last the service concluded, the parish register was signed and the happy couple left the church hand-in-hand to return to Nethercross for the wedding breakfast.
Once they were settled in the carriage, Rupert leaned back in the seat and gave a warm chuckle mingled with a sigh of supreme contentment. “I must confess, dear wife, that I had an anxious moment or two while I stood at the altar awaiting your arrival.”
“Indeed?” Grace cast him a flirtatious smile, delighted that as a married couple they no longer had to mind so much about propriety. “And what did you have to be anxious about, pray? Did you entertain second thoughts about marrying me?”
She felt secure enough in his affections to jest about a matter she might once have feared in earnest.
“Quite the contrary.” He slipped his arm around her and drew her even closer. “I had an unreasonable fear that you might change your mind or some misfortune might prevent you from keeping our appointment with the vicar. But when I saw you come up the aisle looking so serene and happy, I knew all would be well.”
By now they had driven out of sight of the small crowd of wedding guests gathered in the churchyard. Rupert took advantage of their privacy to seal their union with a slow, sweet, tender kiss.
Grace returned it with all the feeling she cherished in her heart for him. Not long ago, she would have been plagued by fears of what might go wrong, unable to trust in her good fortune. But now she looked forward to their future with faith, hope and love.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Ever since I started writing romance novels, I have enjoyed retelling favorite story types such as My Fair Lady and Beauty and the Beast. But one popular story I had never retold was Cinderella…until now. Though all the stories in my Glass Slipper Brides series have the theme of a poor, servant heroine capturing the heart of a successful gentleman, The Baron’s Governess Bride goes even further.
Governess Grace Ellerby, is a beauty in disguise. Harsh experience has taught her that attractive looks can be a burden and single gentlemen cannot be trusted. At first she is wary of her new employer, Rupert, Baron Steadwell. Deeply grieved by his wife’s death, Rupert refuses to risk his heart again. But for the sake of his daughters and his estate, he needs to remarry. When the girls send their governess to a masked ball, Grace and Rupert see one another in a whole new light! But can they overcome old fears to live happily ever after?
Deborah Hale
Questions for Discussion
Grace discovers that a seemingly harmless deception can turn into a slippery slope as she must work harder and harder to protect her guilty secret. At what point in the story do you think Grace should have told Rupert the truth? How do you think that might have affected the course of their relationship?
Rupert tells his daughter not to judge her new governess by appearance. Do you think he follows his own advice? What judgments does he make about Grace based on her appearance at various points in the story? Have you ever felt you were judged by your appearance? How did that make you feel?
Rupert’s daughters don’t all welcome their new governess with open arms. Why do you think Sophie and Charlotte are resistant to Grace? Have you ever won over someone who didn’t welcome you in the beginning? How?
Grace and the girls all think Rupert’s desire to marry Mrs. Cadmore is a mistake and try to stop him. Have you ever been in that situation with someone you care about? Did you try to stop them or support their decision even though you disagreed? Looking back, do you wish you’d acted differently?
Rupert’s heart is finally beginning to heal after his wife’s death and he doesn’t want to risk it again. Have you ever felt the pain of loss was too high a price to pay for love? Did anything happen to change your mind?
Grace is pleasantly surprised when Rupert supports her authority and decisions as his daughters’ governess. What effect does this have on her self-esteem? What could you do to boost the self-esteem of someone you know?
How does Rupert’s favourite hymn, “I Sing the Almighty Power of God,” reflect his character and faith? How does your favourite piece of sacred music reflect yours?
Grace has received many negative messages about herself over the years that make her feel she doesn’t deserve to be happy. How do you deal with negative messages from your past?
Certain qualities we possess can have both a positive and a negative side. What are the positive and negative aspects of Rupert’s stubbornness? Do you have any qualities that can be negative or positive? How might you channel them in the more positive direction?
Many verses in the Bible speak of people who have eyes but do not see. How does this relate to the characters in this story? Have you ever been “blind” to someone or something then suddenly you saw them more clearly or in a different way? How did that happen and how did it make you feel?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.
You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.
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ISBN: 9781459230958
Copyright © 2012 by Deborah M. Hale
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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