by Jen Turano
“That’s ridiculous; you belong in England. You possess an esteemed title.”
“I have no need of that title anymore,” she said softly.
“But . . . you have to marry me,” he sputtered.
“I can’t marry you, Lawrence. I don’t love you.”
“I don’t love you either, but that doesn’t mean we can’t marry. We used to rub along quite nicely together.”
“While that certainly sounds enticing, the whole ‘rubbing along together’ idea, I’m afraid it doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I deserve better.”
“And you believe that Beckett man is better?”
“I do.”
“He only wants you for your money.”
“You’re confusing him with you,” Eliza said. “You only wanted me for my money. You never knew the real me or even wanted to learn about me.”
“But I’ve come all this way to fetch you home.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go back. My place is here.”
Grayson stuck his head in the door. “Am I interrupting?”
“Yes,” Lawrence barked.
“Sorry,” Grayson said, striding into the room. “I wanted to check on my sister.”
“She’s being impossible,” Lawrence grouched.
“She does have the tendency to behave that way at times,” Grayson said cheerfully before he sent her a grin. “Mrs. Beckett just informed me of your exciting news. I must say I am happy for you, Eliza.” He turned back to Lawrence. “Did you hear Eliza’s getting married?”
“I might have heard something to that effect,” he mumbled.
Grayson nodded. “Good, but that’s not why I came in here. I think I have a solution to your financial problems.”
Eliza resisted the urge to laugh as Lawrence went from sulky to pleasant in a split second.
“I’m listening,” Lawrence said. “What is your solution?”
Grayson reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ticket. He handed it to Lawrence, who turned sulky once again.
“Eliza told me she was going to give me hers.”
“That is for Mrs. Morgan,” Grayson said. “I have a feeling the two of you would suit admirably, and from what I understand, she’s wealthy in the extreme. You may take my carriage to travel to her residence. Mrs. Beckett was kind enough to give my driver directions to her house. I have to believe Mrs. Morgan will be delighted to see you again and will be only too willing to take on London high society.”
“Mrs. Morgan?” Lawrence mused as he tapped the ticket in his hand for a brief moment and then strode for the door, not even bothering to speak to Eliza again before he disappeared.
“Incredible,” Grayson said with a laugh. “I don’t think he was very distraught over your upcoming nuptials.”
“I don’t think Lawrence is capable of that particular emotion,” Eliza said.
“Mind if I come in?” Hamilton asked, drawing her attention.
“Please do,” Eliza said.
Hamilton stepped into the room, carrying a little girl in his arms, Ben and Piper tagging along at his side. “I thought you might enjoy meeting your niece.”
Eliza shot a look to Grayson. “This is your daughter?” she asked, remembering his confusing statement about calling the girl his daughter “for want of a better word.”
“This is Ming,” Grayson said. “And we’ll talk more about her later, but yes, I consider her my daughter.”
Eliza looked at the dark-haired girl in Hamilton’s arms and couldn’t resist her. She stepped to Hamilton’s side, held out her hands, and found her heart melting when Ming leaned toward her and allowed Eliza to scoop her up. “Aren’t you a little darling?”
Ming Sumner patted Eliza’s face before she stuck her thumb in her mouth and buried her head against Eliza’s shoulder.
“She’s a little shy,” Grayson explained.
Ming lifted her head. “Down.”
Eliza grinned and set Ming down, her grin widening when Ming and Ben, watched over by Piper, scampered around the room. “Yes, I can see she’s incredibly shy.”
“I’ve decided to stay in America,” Grayson said.
“I figured that out when you gave Lawrence your ticket,” Eliza said.
“Why would you give Lawrence your ticket?” Hamilton asked Grayson. “I thought Eliza was going to give him hers. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” he asked, turning to Eliza.
“Of course not,” Eliza said, stepping to his side and allowing herself a small sigh of satisfaction when his arm went around her. “Grayson gave his ticket up so Mrs. Morgan could join Lawrence.”
“That was a wonderful idea,” Zayne said as he strolled into the room, Agatha by his side.
“Why do you say that?” Agatha asked.
“Mrs. Morgan has been known to pursue every available bachelor in the city. I’ve always felt a bit sorry for her, and she’ll be thrilled with an estate to manage and a title to flaunt.”
“My dears, I really must insist you go and change out of those pants,” Gloria exclaimed as she bustled into the room. “Mr. Watson just arrived, and we don’t want the poor man to have an attack. He’s already reeling from discovering his wife helped bring down Eugene and Sally.”
“Did you tell him you shot Eugene?” Agatha asked.
“Did you tell him you’re planning on writing an article regarding tonight’s event for the newspaper?” Gloria countered.
“I’ve yet to actually speak with my father,” Agatha said with a smile.
“You’re writing an article for the paper?” Eliza asked in delight.
“I am. My editor from the New York Tribune was standing on the street outside Daniels’s house, watching the chaos and taking notes. When he actually recognized me and remembered who I was, well, he decided I would be better equipped to write the story since I had inside information. He wants me to present him with a full article that he promised to run on the front page. I really must get busy, as he wants the article turned in later tonight. Would you mind if I took my leave?”
“Of course not,” Eliza replied, “but you might need to secure another ride. I have a feeling your parents are going to want to stay for a while.”
“I’ll see you home,” Zayne volunteered, “but you’re going to have to get out of those pants.”
“Why?” Agatha asked.
Zayne began to whistle under his breath.
A feeling of peace descended over Eliza as Hamilton pulled her close to him. She watched the children as they giggled and played, none the worse for their ordeal, and then her gaze switched to Grayson, the brother who had been returned to her. She felt Hamilton’s lips graze the top of her head and could do nothing to stem the tears that suddenly blinded her.
He loved her and wanted to marry her.
She blinked to clear her eyes and looked up to find Hamilton smiling back at her.
“Happy?” he asked softly.
“Indeed.”
Epilogue
Three weeks later, Eliza stood by a window in the church, watching a light snow fall. She turned as Piper raced into the room, Ben and Ming at her heels.
“It’s snowing,” Piper proclaimed.
“I see that.”
“It makes the day more beautiful, like God is sending you kisses.”
“What a lovely thought,” Eliza said, bending to kiss Piper on the forehead.
“Are you ready to go?” Agatha asked, beautiful in a gown of shimmering blue. “I think Hamilton’s getting a bit anxious.”
“Can I call you Mama now?” Piper suddenly asked. “I know it’s not time, but Ben calls you that, and I just wanted to know if it would be all right if I did the same.”
“Of course you may call me Mama,” Eliza said, blinking back yet another round of tears at how lovely her life had turned. “You are the best daughter a mother could ever hope for, and I love you more than you will ever know.”
“Don’t start crying,” Piper ordered. “You’ll ruin your look.”
/> “Who is crying?” Gloria asked, bustling into the room and coming to a sudden stop when she got a look at Eliza. “Oh, you are so beautiful,” she wailed, dissolving into tears.
“She is indeed,” Mrs. Watson agreed, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Why is everyone crying?” Ben asked.
“That’s what families do at happy events,” Agatha told him.
“Come on, everyone out,” Grayson said, holding open the door as he caught Eliza’s eye.
“Grayson, Ben wants Ming to walk down the aisle with him,” Eliza told her brother.
“Are you sure?” Grayson asked.
“She’s part of our family, and besides, I’ve learned not to argue with Ben when he really wants something.”
Grayson cleared his throat as he watched Ben grab on to Ming’s hand and tug her to their place in line before turning back to Eliza. “This is what you want, isn’t it?”
Eliza smiled. “I’m not changing my mind, Gray. I love Hamilton.”
“Good, because I think he’s perfect for you.”
As Grayson walked her down the aisle a few moments later, Eliza’s breath caught in her throat when she got her first glimpse of Hamilton. He was more handsome than ever in his formal attire, and she still found it hard to believe he was soon to be hers.
Hamilton took her hand when they reached the end of the aisle. Grayson placed a kiss on her cheek and stepped back. The hair stood up on the nape of Eliza’s neck when Hamilton leaned forward and smiled at her.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered and then surprised her by sending her a wink.
She couldn’t help it; she grinned.
The minister beamed at them as he had them repeat their vows, and with every word spoken, Eliza’s grin grew wider. Hamilton returned it and much to her delight, they were soon pronounced man and wife.
“You may kiss the bride,” the minister encouraged.
“Finally,” Piper said loudly, causing everyone to laugh.
When Hamilton’s lips claimed hers, Eliza realized her life was complete, just as she realized God had never deserted her. He had shown her the way back from despair and given her a precious family to call her own along with a precious gift . . . the gift of love.
Acknowledgments
The journey to publication is a fascinating one and filled with people who deserve my sincerest thanks.
To Bethany House, for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.
To my extraordinary editor, Raela Schoenherr, for having such an amazing eye for detail and for imparting suggestions in the kindest possible way.
To Paul Higdon and John Hamilton, for capturing Eliza perfectly with such a gorgeous cover.
To my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, for plucking me out of the slush pile and pointing me in the right direction. You’ve become a friend.
To the Marketing Department at Bethany House, for their diligence in promoting my book.
To my sister, Tricia Gibas, for thinking everything I write is wonderful, even when it’s not.
To Rachel Kortmeyer, whom I know I bore endlessly with my talk of all things writing, but who still remains my friend.
To Karen Bohland, for the “Fabio” tip.
To my critique partner, Kimberlee Gard, for always being cheerful and enthusiastic.
To Carol McMinn and the rest of the ladies at the Parker Library, for knowing where to find the answers I need.
To my son, Dominic, for simply being my son.
To my husband, Al, for all the support and love and for not becoming too annoyed when I interrupt him in midsentence on a regular basis because a plot suddenly flashes to mind and I have to discuss it right there and then. You have all my love.
And, of course, to God, who makes everything possible.
Discussion Questions
Why do some people distance themselves from God, as Eliza did, when their lives are not going as planned?
Mr. and Mrs. Watson are relentless in their pursuit to obtain a husband for Agatha. Is their behavior justified? Should parents put pressure on their children to get married, get a job, have children, etc.?
Hamilton was very affected by his wife’s behavior and subsequent death. Do you think he was truly able to come to peace with what happened to her? Have you ever had to come to terms with poor treatment from a friend or significant other?
Agatha has been forced to assume a man’s name in order to publish her articles. How would you feel about having to pretend to be of the opposite gender to be taken seriously in a profession?
Eliza gave up a life as an English aristocrat to be with Hamilton. Will she have regrets? Would you give up your current life to do something completely different?
Hamilton and Eliza’s friends and family continue to bring up the possibility of a relationship between the two of them. Did you or do you have friends who played or want to play matchmaker for you? Do you appreciate this or does it frustrate you? Why or why not?
Mr. Theodore Wilder is a man of his time and frequently frustrates the forward-thinking women in this story. Does he have any redeeming qualities?
Mr. Watson seems somewhat heartless at the beginning of the story. What caused him to change?
Does Lawrence deserve Mrs. Morgan?
Eliza rediscovers God in the midst of great anger. Why do you think He came back to her then? Is this something that has ever happened to you?
Jen Turano, author of A Change of Fortune, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She pursued a career in management for nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of her son. When she’s not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.
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