Deeanne Gist - A bride most begrudging

Books by Deeanne Gist

A Bride Most Begrudging

The Measure of a Lady

Courting Trouble

Deep in the Heart of Trouble

A Bride in the Bargain

Beguiled

Maid to Match

A Bride Most Begrudging

Copyright 2005

Deeanne Gist

Cover design and photography by Andrea Gjeldum/Cadmium Design

Interior design by Josh Madison

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible. See Authors Note.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-7642-0072-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gist, Deeanne.

A bride most begrudging / by Deeanne Gist.

p. cm.

Summary: Set in 1640s Colonial Virginia, a marriage of convenience becomes most inconvenient when the bride proves more than the planter had bargained forProvided by publisher.

ISBN 0-7642-0072-0 (pbk.)

1. VirginiaHistoryColonial period, ca. 1600-1775Fiction. 2. Plantation owners spousesFiction. 3. Arranged marriageFiction. 4. Plantation lifeFiction. I. Title.

PS3607.I55B75 2005

813.6dc22

2005004894

For my dearest friend and precious savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh, how I love you. Cherish you. Rejoice over you.
I praise the One Who Is.

Contents

DEEANNE GIST has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People Magazine, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, and the Houston Chronicle . She has a line of parenting products called I Did It! Productions and a degree from Texas A&M. She lives with her husband, four teenagers, and two dogs in Houston, Texas.

Ones first novel is like ones first babyan almost surreal experience that delights and frightens all at the same time but is treasured forever. The journey has been long and full of adventure. Many have been there from the beginning, others have walked part of the way with me, and yet others were waiting at the finish line. To all of you, I pray that God will bless you tenfold to how you have blessed me.

A heartfelt thank-you to my college sweetheart and husband, Greg Gist, who is my dream come true. I have been so incredibly blessed to have landed such a treasure. I love you most of all.

My parents, Harold and Veranne Graham, have been instrumental in their support and encouragement, not only during my writing career, but from the moment I entered this world. Thank you for your unconditional love, for sharing your wisdom with me, and for introducing me to Jesus Christ. May He shower you with blessings.

Thank you to my critique partners, Heda Chr ist and Anne Dykowski, for your hours upon hours of devotion, skill, and input. Every time I pick up Bride, I think, Heda told me to put that there, or Anne suggested I do that, or Golly, Im glad they made me redo this part . You are diamonds of the first water. Words cannot express my gratitude.

The folks at Bethany House have been an absolute dream from the moment they received my manuscript to the moment Bride hit the shelves. Dave Long, your enthusiasm, dedication, and inspiration have made me want to be the very best I could be. Thank you for stepping out there and making a difference. My editor, Julie Klassen, is the best editor everof course, shes the only editor Ive ever had, but there are some things one just knows . And I look forward, Julie, to sharing many more laughs and confidences and books with you. Thank you for your wonderful insight and input. You are a gem.

And a huge and hearty thank-you to Richard Alvarez for choreographing my fight scene, to Ted Simon for giving me a crash course in Housebuilding 101, to Victor Belfi for helping me with the math puzzles, to Richard Curtis for believing in me, and to Ron Smith for managing me. Any mistakes made in regards to fighting, housebuilding, or problem solving are completely and totally mine.

God bless you all.

Love, Dee

D EPTFORD , E NGLAND
A PRIL 1643

SAINTS ABOVE, GIRL. What are you doing here? the shackled man hissed.

Lady Constance Morrow rushed those last few steps across the upper deck. Please, Uncle Skelly, dont scold me. I couldnt let you leave without saying good-bye.

Its only for seven years. Now get off this blasted shallop.

She touched a hand to her throat. How could she leave? Hed been much more of a father to her than the earl. Perhaps he felt shamed by the shackles clamped tight around his wrists and ankles.

Her heart squeezed inside her chest. He looked as if hed aged ten years since she saw him just three short months ago. She might not have even recognized him had he not spoken out.

An unhealthy gray pallor replaced the rosy glow she had grown so accustomed to seeing in his cheeks. And his pride and joythe pure white beard and mustache hed kept meticulously trimmed and groomedgrew in great abandon about his face.

But his green eyes were still crystal clear and, at the moment, absolutely furious.

But America, she exclaimed. Its so far away and wild and heathen.

Its better than being dead, he growled. For love o the king, girl, this ship is not interested in men only. Those colonists need breeders, and the captain chained a whole store of female felons in the hold for that very purpose. You have no business being on board. Where is your maid?

I easily escaped from her. Besides, the captain would not dare allow a member of his crew to touch an English gentlewoman.

Hed dare that and more. All the other well-wishers have long since left, so there is no one on board that can check his actions. He swiveled to look behind him and when he turned back, near panic lit his eyes.

Quick, he cried. He has seen you!

Who, she thought. The captain? She grabbed the front of her skirts, poised for flight, yet did not move. Releasing the expensive silk, she clasped Skellys hands in hers. His irons clanked.

Oh, Uncle. I cant bear this. Her eyes pooled with unshed tears. I will not let the submissions to your Diary go unanswered. I will keep the publication going while you are away. It will be ready and waiting for you upon your return. You have my oath.

Have you not heard a word Ive said? You must leave this instant . The captain of this ship is a villain and a coward. It will go the worse for me if he catches us together, and Id just as soon avoid a flogging. Now, go .