Excerpt from JAMESTWON'S BRIDE SHIP

Susanna stirred in Joshua's arms and opened her eyes. Her eyes  shifted from him to Captain Trent, who peered anxiously at her.

"Oh! What happened?"

"You almost fell off the wharf. Mr. Deane caught you. Are you strong enough to walk to your aunt's home? It's not far."

"I think so. I'm sorry I've been such a nuisance to you."

"After several weeks at sea, it takes awhile to learn how to walk on land again," Joshua warned. "With your permission, I'll carry you."

"Susanna's eyes looked like black satin as she studied his face, and seemingly satisfied, she said, "Thank you. I am tired, and I don't believe I can walk."

Her lids slipped down over her eyes as she settled more comfortably into his arms. Joshua tightened his grip, feeling a strange sense of possession as he walked up the bank. Susanna's small, embroidered white cap had loosened, freeing her thick auburn hair to fall over her shoulders. A stiff breeze from the James twirled some of the loose tendrils around Joshua's face. He gazed at the dark lashes that swept across her delicately carved cheekbones. She was very pale, and he sensed that several weeks of seasickness had caused her smooth skin to lose color. Still, considering the sweetly curled lips set in an oval face and arching eyebrows just a shade darker than her hair, Joshua thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

Excerpt from RAVEN'S CHRISTMAS

Raven sat with downcast eyes, wanting to talk to Grandmother about the decision she must make soon but unwilling to further involve her in a family squabble.

"Tell me what's troubling you, my dear," Thomasine said, and the compassion in her voice brought tears to Raven's eyes. "I'll listen to whatever you want to say."

"I've about decided to accept Mr. Wharton's proposal. . ."

"Go on," Thomasine prompted when Raven's voice faded to a mere whisper.

"I will not let Uncle Peter steal Pleasant Hill from me. If I marry Mr. Wharton, my uncle will no longer have guardianship."

"But it will break my heart to see you married to a man older than I am! Does Pleasant Hill mean more to you than your happiness?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure when Papa stipulated in his will that his brother would inherit if I married without my guardian's permission, he had Uncle William in mind--not Uncle Peter.  He's always contended that he didn't receive enough when Grandfather Maury's estate was settled, and I suspect this is an attempt to regain what, in his opinion, is rightfully his. That's the reason he didn't choose someone eligibe for me to marry--he was sure I would refuse Mr. Wharton and he'd get the plantation."

"You won't be the first girl to marry an old man," Grandmother said, "but I don't like it. . . . I've prayed daily for William's return. Just because God hasn't answered my prayer doesn't mean He won't. I will not give up until after Christmas. Please don't tell Peter that you'll marry Mr. Wharton until we're sure William isn't coming home."

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