Dawn Crandall [Crandall - Enchanting Nicholette

Publishers Note:

This novel is a work of fiction. References to real events, organizations, or places are used in a fictional context. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Enchanting Nicholette

www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com

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ISBN: 978-1-64123-088-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-64123-089-6

2018 by Dawn Crandall

Whitaker House

1030 Hunt Valley Circle

New Kensington, PA 15068

www.whitakerhouse.com

Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Names: Crandall, Dawn, 1977- author.

Title: Enchanting Nicholette / Dawn Crandall.

Description: New Kensington, PA : Whitaker House, [2018] | Series: The

everstone chronicles ; 5 |

Identifiers: LCCN 2018030227 (print) | LCCN 2018031720 (ebook) | ISBN

9781641230896 (e-book) | ISBN 9781641230889 (paperback)

Subjects: | BISAC: FICTION / Christian / Romance. | FICTION / Christian /

Historical. | GSAFD: Christian fiction. | Love stories.

Classification: LCC PS3603.R3743 (ebook) | LCC PS3603.R3743 E56 2018 (print)

| DDC 813/.6dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018030227

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanicalincluding photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systemwithout permission in writing from the publisher. Please direct your inquiries to permissionseditor@whitakerhouse.com.

This book has been digitally produced in a standard specification in order to ensure its availability.

It was in looking up at him her aspect had caught its lustrethe light repeated in her eyes beamed first out of his.
Charlotte Bront, Villette

Saturday, June 3, 1893 Boston, Massachusetts

I suppose you have a new wardrobe ordered from Paris, oui ?

I glanced at the girl sitting across from me in my carriage as we drove up the street toward Brittle Brattle Books, wondering, for the life of me, how Id come to the point of being so terribly desperate for company.

My carriage companion, Sylvie Boutilier, was the youngest daughter of my father-in-laws second wife, whom hed married the previous summer. Because we were of a similar age, I ended up being the one who had the privilege of keeping her with me on almost a daily basis.

Not that she was annoying, just so very naive. And fanciful.

In truth, she was unlike me in every way.

She continued, regardless of my silence. Has it been delivered yet?

Yes, its been delivered. Though I couldnt fathom feeling the same wearing my normal, colorful gowns as I had before William had died. The big day was quickly approaching; the cards announcing my reentrance to society were all enveloped, stamped, and ready to send in the mail. Everything had been done weeks before, which gave me the feeling that my mourning period had been as difficult for my mother as it had been for methough I had a feeling she quite enjoyed traveling through Europe for the last two years.

Im so pleased that youre back now, for it seems there arent many young people my age in my stepfathers circle anymore. Monsieur Garrett Summercourt and his wife are trs merveilleux , but they are married. And his brothers, Monsieur Alex and Monsieur Clydeone is a snob and one is affianced. Sylvie touched my arm with her gloved fingertips. At least I have you. We will help each other find husbands, non ?

I didnt answer. I wondered if Sylvie knew how my marriage had endedtoo soon, my husband ripped away with one horrifically mistaken gunshot. I doubted it, but I couldnt bring myself to ask. My whole life had fallen apart two years ago, and I didnt know how to put it back together. Nor did I know how to request anyones help in doing so.

Uncertainties constantly bombarded me, overwhelmed me on a daily basis. I was twenty-two, a widow of two years, my mourning almost complete, and I would soon be reentered into the only society Id ever knownbut as a new person.

Mrs. William Everstone, but without William.

He had loved me. Quite adamantly, in fact. So much so that it had been him whod requested of my father that I marry him instead of his brother Nathan. There was so much more to it, but ultimately, it had been a favorable switchthat is, until the tragedy. Now Nathan was married to his beloved Amaryllis, and I was all alone again.

Youll probably be married again, Nicholette, before I am, Sylvie added.

I doubt that, I stated flatly. Although the idea of remarriage was something Id contemplated for months already, I was certain my mother would faint at the mere thought. And really, who would I marry now? Id grown up much in the last two lonely years, and I wasnt sure what I wanted anymore. Nor how to go about maneuvering the marriage market I had a feeling I would be thrown into soon enough.

Your look is utterly magnifique . Beaucoup plus belle than I with my cheveux roux . She poked aggressively at the loosened strands of dark auburn hair slipping out from under her bonnet, as if her hair wasnt gorgeous. As if she wasnt gorgeous.

At times, I didnt even know what to say to her.

The Summercourt brothers you just mentioned all have red hair, I attempted.

Ah, oui , but they are men.

I didnt see her point, or the point of going on, so I let the subject end there. She went on to ask, Do you know whom you would like to marry?

Um, no. I could feel the tension in my brow increase. I wanted so badly to frown, but I refrained. How would I?

Surely if youve had your eye on someone, you could make them want to marry you. Isnt that how its done?

Not in my experience.

No one Id ever met had been able to turn my head enough to induce thoughts of going against my parents wish for me to marry into the Everstone family. It was what Id always known would happenand Id been quite agreeable to it.

And now what was I supposed to do? The thought of finagling my way through a sea of highly interested prospective suitors made me feel ill. I honestly didnt know what I would do if I met someone who interested me. I had absolutely no practice in flirting. Only following directions.

I took another quick glance at Sylvie.

She was sixteensix years younger than meand she seemed to have such a natural allure, but in a rather likable way. She was so approachable and candid, two terms that would never describe me in a hundred years.

The carriage slowed to a smooth stop, and I looked outside to see the large golden lettering backed by dark green over the multi-paned storefront windows of Brittle Brattle Books.

Sylvie scooted toward the door, which was opened by the groom.

A few minutes, please, Lamont. I reached for the handle, closing the door again. Sylvie, I have a request to make of you, and I hope you wont find it offensive

Oh, I dont think I would! You can ask me anything.

My gaze lingered at the carriage door again, and I bit my lip. Perhaps it was too silly of a thing to ask. What would she think of me? But then she had assumed I would likely be remarried before she married at all. So of course she would want to help meright? And it wasnt as if I were asking her to help me secure a husband; I just wanted to feel more comfortable.

More prepared.