by Jenna Brandt
The American Conquest
Window to the Heart Saga
Jenna Brandt
Contents
Copywright
Description
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
30. Preview of The Oregon Pursuit
Also by Jenna Brandt
Acknowledgments
About the Author
A Note from the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locale and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or actual locations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author, exception the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email [email protected].
Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Window to the Heart Saga © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Cover design by Alexia Purdy with photo copyright by 123RF.com © Edward Fiske and 123RF.com © sergeyp
Description
Window to the Heart Saga: a recountal of the trials, adventures and relationships of the family and friends of Lady Margaret. The first three books detail her journey and spin-off books focus on her friends. The series has compelling themes of love, faith and hope.
The English Proposal (Book 1). Sheltered on her family’s country estate, Lady Margaret, the daughter of an English Earl, is betrothed due to a family promise. Although Henry, the Viscount Rolantry, has been her best friend since childhood and she is expected to marry him, she never felt butterflies until she meets the Duke of Witherton. Against her father’s wishes, Margaret finds herself captivated by the forbidden duke. Caught between family loyalty and her own wishes, Margaret searches for a way to satisfy both her responsibilities and her longings. When tragedy strikes, Margaret finds herself seeking answers at church. But when she finally makes her choice, through her newfound faith, will she be able to live with the repercussions of her decision?
Profoundly romantic and superbly riveting, The English Proposal explores the conflict between fulfilling duties and satiating desires.
The French Encounter (Book 2). Her life ruined, Lady Margaret, Countess of Renwick, must flee from England with her infant son to hide from the man who destroyed her life and from the sister-in-law who hates her. Relentlessly, the duke and viscountess hunt for them, the viscountess planning to take the child to whom she feels entitled; the duke determined to take Margaret for himself. Margaret turns to God, believing he will protect her family and help her find her long-lost twin brother, Randall. While searching for Randall in France, Margaret is pursued by two enticing men: Pierre, the alluring Vidame of Demoulin, and Michel, the powerful Marquis de Beadier. One man promises passion while the other offers security. Will Margaret surrender the chance for love to secure her safety?
Deeply passionate and intensely gripping, The French Encounter weighs the struggle between giving in to temptation and sacrificing for refuge.
The American Conquest (Book 3) Running from a tainted past, Lady Margaret must leave Europe forever and escape across the ocean to America. The plan: to brave the Oregon Trail to reach the Colorado territory where her family’s future awaits. While facing adversities in the new frontier, Margaret must trust God to keep their family safe. Attacked by Indians, the group is saved by Cortland Westcott, a rancher and devoted Christian. Margaret and Cort have an instant connection through their faith, but devastating secrets threaten to cripple the budding relationship. Both Margaret and Cort must confront a past that haunts them to finally be able to make a new life together. Will Margaret finally come to terms with what happened to her, or will she let her past destroy her future?
Will Lady Margaret finally be free from her past, allowing her to embrace her soul mate? Extremely tender and magnificently exhilarating, The American Conquest examines the journey between healing a broken heart and making room for rebirth.
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 4) After Amelie Leclaire's parents pass away in a tragic accident, she must return home to West Linn, Oregon to take over the family bakery. Amelie was training to be a midwife but must give up her plans in an attempt to provide a stable life for her younger sister. Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, is traveling to West Linn on business. A chance meeting at the bakery and Pierre is instantly intrigued by the alluring Miss Leclaire, she on the other hand, is less impressed until she gets to know him. Through many trials and setbacks, will the couple be able to form a lasting relationship or will his past and her financial problems put an end to their potential?
Exceptionally sincere and wondrously engaging, The Oregon Pursuit shows the journey between letting go of a troubled past and finding new hope.
The White Wedding (Book 5) Debbey McCoy is the daughter of the local pastor in West Linn at the end of Oregon Trail. Lord William Almonbury is the second son of an English viscount. Their world's collide when William travels to West Linn for a new business venture. The connection is instant and a Christmas wedding is planned. Debbey always wanted a snow-covered wedding but when the big day is pushed forward due to a family illness in England, will she get the white wedding of which she always dreamed?
A stand alone HEA short story from the bestselling Window to the Heart Saga series, featuring two of the characters from the already released 4th book, novella and upcoming book in 2018.
The Christmas Bride (Book 6) Lucy Rogers traveled west, running from a troubled past. As a new Christian, she meets and forms a relationship with Matthew McCoy, the son of the local pastor. Lucy runs the Trail’s End Saloon while Matthew works for the local saw mill. As they plan their Christmas wedding, Lucy’s past comes back to haunt her. Will her past allow them to build a future together?
The first stand alone HEA novella in the Window to the Heart Saga featuring two characters from the 4th book and short story. A heartfelt, sweet read full of romance, sure to warm your heart this holiday season.
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
For more inform
ation about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter
To my children: Katherine, Julianne, Dylan, and Nicole.
You are the center of my heart and joy of my life.
Being your mother is my proudest achievement.
Prologue
1865 Paris, France
Why did this always happen? Why did she always loose the people she loved?
“Margaret, I need you to hear this. You and your son are the best things that have ever happened to me. I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love the two of you.”
Her husband, Lord Michel Robineau, the Marquis de Badour, had been in and out of consciousness for the past two days. In the past hour, he had rallied, Margaret suspected to say goodbye.
“What am I going to do without you, Michel? You are everything to me. I need you.”
“You are strong, Margaret, so strong, and I know you can survive without me. You will for Henry’s sake. I want you to make me a promise. I want you to leave Europe and never come back. Take this and use it to start over,” he handed her an envelope. “Go to America like you had planned and do not let your past define you.”
“I will, Michel. Whatever you want, I will do it.”
His breathing was slowing down, and she could tell he was using every bit of strength to finish what he needed to tell her.
“I love you, Margaret.” He reached out to touch her, and Margaret took his hand in her own.
“And I love you,” Margaret declared.
“Kiss me… one last time,” he choked out.
Margaret leaned down and pressed her lips to his. She lingered there for several moments before she realized that he was gone.
“No, no, no, no, Michel, please do not leave me! Please, do not go!” She placed her head on his chest as huge sobs racked through her body. The man who had broken through her defenses and helped her find a way to love again was dead.
Everyone she loved, the Duke of Witherton killed. He may have not killed him the moment he pushed his sword into Michel’s shoulder, but it caused the infection that took his life just the same.
What was she going to do? She knew she needed to do something, but she could not make herself stand up from beside Michel’s bed.
God, give me the strength to get through this. I need you right now because I feel like I am going to break into a million pieces without Michel. I need your power to strengthen me and help me.
Margaret exited the room. Outside, her brother, Randall, his wife and Margaret’s best friend, Jackie, along with Michel’s brother, Monte were waiting.
“Is he gone?” Monte asked with a concerned look on his face.
Swallowing several times before she answered, she pushed out, “He is.”
Stepping forward, Monte yelled at her, “This is your fault. You did this to him.”
She flinched under the admonishment. She wanted to refute what he said, but part of her knew it to be true. If Michel had never met her, he would still be alive.
“What is that in your hand?” Monte demanded, grabbing the envelope from her. He tore it open and scanned the documents.
“What is the meaning of this? Did you talk him into doing this?” Monte accused, shaking the documents at her.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Margaret defended.
“Although he left me his title, the Marquis de Badour, he left the rest of the family fortune to you! He has only been married to you a few days, and yet this new will materializes out of no where. You made him change it; I just know it,” Monte spit out.
“It is not so. I did not even know he would do such a thing.”
Randall yanked the papers from Monte’s hands. He flipped to the last page, and after examining it, he explained, “He signed them over a month ago and had them take affect once he married my sister.” After scanning through the rest, he added, “There is a clause that a portion of the fortune is to be set aside for the care of a Lady Marie Robineau.” Randall eyebrows came together in confusion. “Who is that?”
“She’s our sister,” Monte asserted, “and far more entitled to the Robineau fortune than your sister.”
“He also left a portion to you, Monte,” Randall further explained. “It seems he wanted all of the people he cared for to be taken care of.”
“This won’t stand. I am having my lawyers look into this, so they can overturn this fraudulent document.” As Monte stormed towards the exit, he tossed over his shoulder, “I will not let some foreign, money-seeking, harpy steal the family fortune out from under me.”
Though she knew the fortune Michel left her in his will was his parting gift to her, she also knew that Monte would not rest until he kept her from it. She could feel in the pit of her stomach, it was not going to go her way, but she did not care. No amount of money would make up for her loss.
“Everything is packed, but Maggie, another ship does not depart for America until three days’ time,” Randall stated with worry in his voice.
“I know, so we need to go by carriage to the nearest port that has a ship leaving immediately.”
“I will go find out the schedule for surrounding ports,” Jackie said and quietly slipped out of the room.
“You’re sure this is what you want to do?” Randall asked.
“Yes, but you and Jackie do not need to come with us.”
“Do not be silly. You and Henry are our family,” Randall stated. “I cannot imagine letting you slip away to America and never knowing where you are, or whether or not you are safe.”
“Thank you, Rand, your loyalty means the world to me.”
“I am sorry, Maggie, for what has happened over the past week. It is unfair, these turn of events.”
Margaret nodded as she thought about what had happened. Monte had succeeded in overturning the will of her late husband, claiming the wedding was not legal since they had been unable to consummate the marriage.
The first night, they had both been exhausted and she did not want to further hurt his arm which was mending. The next day, the infection set in, rendering everything beyond helping Michel trivial.
Added to the turmoil surrounding her husband’s death, there was the threat that the Duke of Witherton still posed. Mulchere, her private investigator, had reported to her that Witherton was recovering in a nearby estate he owned, but it was only a matter of time before he recovered well enough to come after her again.
“I made the mistake of thinking I could stay here and Michel would be able to protect us. Perhaps if he had lived, that might have been the case, but now we will never know. It seems when it comes to Witherton, the only choice I have is to run.”
“You did not know what was going to happen.”
“You are right, but Michel is dead and it is because of my past catching up with me. I will not make that same mistake again. When we get to America, I am going to bury my past once and for all. Are you sure you are ready to walk away from our titles and life here?”
“You are my family, Mags, and wherever you go, I go. I lived without a title for almost half my life. This will be nothing new for me.”
“Thank you, Rand. I do not know if I could do this without you.”
“I will always be there for you, so you will never have to worry about that.”
Margaret was standing in front of a ship again. Two days later and three towns away, she was about to set voyage and finally leave her past behind. Her heart ached for the two men she loved and lost. Both died under different circumstances, but the cause of their deaths came from one common factor: Witherton. She hated him for what he had taken from her—first her trust, then her reputation, and finally the loves of her life.
But a miracle happened the day after Michel passed away. When Margaret went up to get her son ready for their one-way trip to America, she foun
d him sleeping. She looked at him and realized that not all was lost. He had gotten her through the death of her first husband, and he would help get her through the death of Michel.
God had given her this perfect miracle in the form of her son, and she gathered him in her arms and walked over to the window. She looked out that window and saw a mother bird rebuilding a nest that had been destroyed by a windstorm. She realized that she needed to be like that mother bird and rebuild her own life. She needed to be strong so she could take care of her family. And in order to find that strength, she needed to rely on God, because it was her faith that was going to get her through this season of loss.
And for the first time since she could remember, she felt true hope. Hope for a future that was unrestricted from the shackles of her past. Hope that she could build a life for her family that had meaning and was free from fear. Hope that what had been done to her would not define her. Hope was the gift God gave her in her darkest hour.
“Are you ready?” Randall asked, bringing Margaret back to the present.
Margaret turned to look at her twin and replied, “Yes. It is time for us to start our new life.”
