Lucy's Faith (Faith To Victory Inspirational Historical Romance 1) Read online

  Lucy fell asleep, Mama still out for the night, herself still uncertain about what they could possibly do.

  When Lucy awoke the next morning, Mama was already home and fast asleep and the post was sliding under the door.

  Getting an instinctive feeling about it, Lucy rushed to the door and opened the letter without even checking the front. As she had known, it was from Edward. Her prayers had been answered.

  She rushed to Mama with tears in her eyes and shook her mother until she was awake.

  “Lucy? What is it? What is wrong?”

  “Nothing's wrong, Mama, absolutely nothing's wrong.”

  Mama sat up in bed. “What on earth are you talking about, Lucy?”

  “It's Edward. He... He has...” Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes and handed Mama the letter to see for herself.

  Mama finished reading it and broke down crying.

  “I know you don't want to go to a convent with me, Mama, but would you accept Edward's offer?” Lucy asked, her eyes begging her mother, ever hopeful.

  “Of course. A good man like him offering to marry you, to look after us... that is not an offer to take lightly.”

  “He is such a good man, Mama. You'll like him very much.”

  “Then write him back. Tell him we're getting on a carriage right away to meet him.”

  Lucy’s heart felt like it was going to burst. She hugged her mother quickly then scrambled to find some paper and a pen.

  “Dearest Edward,

  I am deeply honored by your offer. I graciously accept. I will do whatever I must to keep home for you and to honor you as my husband. I have been praying for a way to get free from this place for a very long time and now I know that God was listening and that He has delivered.

  Thank you, Edward. We will be hiring a carriage as soon as possible and will be on our way to see you. I cannot even imagine how much we have both changed since we last saw each other's faces!

  See you soon,

  Lucy.”

  Although she was exhausted, Mama packed her bags with amazing speed. They didn't have much worth bringing with them. Just a few changes of clothes, some trinkets and year after year of Edward's old letters, starting at age eight and ending with that last, life changing one from earlier that morning.

  Mama seemed relieved, like so much weight had been lifted from her back and so many years from her face. Lucy was glad to see such calm tranquility, such peace on Mama's face.

  They decided to just leave and not tell anyone where they were going. To cut ties forever with their old life and to start over fresh with their brand new one.

  Lucy was glad to see the cold, dingy, dirty little town fade into the background behind her as the carriage jerked and jolted its way over the road. The driver knew where they were coming from and where they were going. But nobody else would ever have to know.

  This was a new start.

  Lucy watched the dirt and ruins give way to greener pastures and happier, more wholesome looking people. She turned to Mama to point out a nice little church on a hill, but when she looked down Mama was fast asleep, smiling gently.

  Chapter 10 – Faith Rewarded

  Edward awoke the next morning to the sound of Suzanne bustling about. Getting his robe on, he wandered outside his room and watched as she sorted through the post.

  “Expecting a letter?”

  Suzanne jumped out of her skin. “Oh, ah, yes. From Eloise.”

  “Ah, the snob with cold, sensitive fingernails?”

  “Don't be like that, she's a lovely eligible young woman.”

  “Of course she is.” Edward laughed.

  “Ah, here it is.” Suzanne took the letter out.

  “Can't Eloise come and see you, rather than write?”

  “Well, I suppose so... But since you insulted her so horribly the last time, she just doesn't want to come here anymore.”

  “Huh, women.” Edward muttered. “Anything for me yet?”

  “Let me see... a parcel and a letter from the bank.” Suzanne said, slipping her letter into her pocket. “Anyway, I'm off to my room to read my letter.”

  “Can't read it out here?”

  “No, of course not. It's personal. She wouldn't want you reading it.”

  “Then it's about me, is it?”

  “Most likely.” Suzanne said as she marched to her room.

  Edward sighed. When would he hear back from Lucy?

  *****

  Suzanne tore open the letter instantly as soon as she got to her room. It was from Lucy again. She knew that handwriting. After reading it, Suzanne was mortified. Lucy was on her way over, to marry Edward.

  If the letter had already arrived, Lucy couldn't be much longer. Suzanne tried to think on her feet. She couldn't send Edward out. It might be a few days yet and then he would start to get suspicious. But she couldn't let them see each other.

  Suzanne sighed. Why was her brother so intent on marrying a poor woman like Lucy? Surely he knew what it would do to his social standing?

  She paced up and down the room. The only thing for it was to look out for the carriage and turn them away. Tell them it was the wrong house or that she was Edward's wife or that he had changed his mind.

  And she had to keep Edward away from the gates until then. The last part wouldn't be hard. Just give him a book on bird watching and leave him to watch the back garden.

  That would have to be her plan. Suzanne found a book Edward hadn't read and took it downstairs.

  “Look what I just found!” She exclaimed. “Bird watching and bird feeding in the winter months.”

  Edward took it from her and flicked through the pages. “Very nice, very nice indeed. Thank you.” He smiled. “It should take my mind off the post for a while. Tell Agnes to get me a tea and I will watch some birds in the back sitting room.”

  Suzanne nodded. “Sure, I was on my way to get tea anyway.”

  Once she was certain that Edward was settled with his tea and his book, Suzanne moved into the front room and sat down on the chaise lounge facing the window. That way she could see anyone arriving.

  As the morning rolled by and nothing appeared, Suzanne began to feel comfortable that they wouldn't show yet.

  Lunch time arrived and her anxiety peaked again as she and Edward sat down in the front room for lunch.

  “You're hardly touching your salmon, is anything wrong?” Edward asked.

  “Oh, I'm just not very hungry.” Suzanne tried her best to smile.

  “That's unlike you.” Edward chuckled.

  “Did you see any birds?”

  “A few, but it was hard to identify them before they flew away. Perhaps I will have more luck this afternoon.”

  Suzanne nodded earnestly. “Probably.”

  Then, she heard it. It was the sound of a carriage approaching. She stood up and looked out the window. It wasn't any she recognized.

  Edward had heard it too. “I wonder who that is.”

  “I'll go and see.”

  “No, no, let me.” Edward got up.

  Suzanne tried to protest, but he was out the door already. She huffed to herself in frustration and sat down. That was it. She had lost.

  *****

  Lucy was amazed to see the luxury of the house where Edward lived. She knew he was doing much better than she was, but she hadn't expected that level of expense and class. Mama almost had a heart attack as the carriage drove up alongside the gardens.

  Standing at the door was a man with dark, curly hair, blue eyes and a strong, chiseled face. He was well-dressed and smiling lightly, as though he wasn't sure who he was greeting but wanted to be polite for them nonetheless.

  The carriage drew up and Lucy hesitantly stepped out, self-conscious about her old tatty dress and worn shoes.

  Their eyes met and she blushed and glanced down at her feet.

  *****

  Edward saw Lucy and grinned. She looked almost exactly as he had imagined she would. She was beautiful. She was a bit dirty and mes
sy, but a hot bath and a new dress would fix that. He walked towards her.

  “You came.” He finally managed to say.

  Lucy nodded.

  “Does that mean you accept my offer?”

  Lucy nodded again.

  “Did you forget to tell me you had lost your voice?” He joked.

  “No, I have not.” Lucy whispered.

  “What is it, then?”

  “You look very well, Edward.”

  “You look very well yourself, Lucy. And is that your mother, waiting back in the carriage.”

  “Yes, she is very happy as well.” Lucy managed.

  “If you have no objection, I would like to get us married before you spend a single night under our roof. For propriety's sake.”

  Lucy's heart skipped a beat. She nodded and her eyes met Edward's. “That sounds perfect. Thank you so much for your generosity.”

  Edward took her hand lightly. Although the touch was far from intimate, Lucy felt heat rush to her face as his skin met hers. This was the hand that had written all those lovely letters that had kept her focused and happy and faithful through so much. She lightly gripped his fingers back.

  Edward walked over to the carriage. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Green. You don’t look a day older than the last time I saw you as a little boy. Please give me a moment and then I will help you down from the carriage.”

  Lucy saw Edward walk around the back of the carriage to the driver on the other side. He spoke with him briefly and then the driver got down and accompanied Edward back around to Mama’s side.

  “Madam, please accept the return of your fare. I did not understand that the gentleman was going to pay it. He has done so and so this is yours.”

  Mama was shocked and looked to me as she accepted the money, then to Edward who stood offering his hand as soon as the driver left to return to his seat.

  “Now I would love the pleasure of escorting the mother of my bride-to-be into my home.”

  Mama’s surprise turned to delight at Edward’s sincere charm and gentlemanlike behavior. She accepted his help, along with his light kiss on her cheek.

  “Come on, I will show you both your rooms. Then we can have lunch before we find the pastor. You must both be exhausted!”

  Lucy nodded. “Thank you.” It was all she could think to say. She suddenly felt overwhelmed and slightly dizzy at the reality of all that was about to happen. She smiled and extended her other hand to Mama, who held her around her waist as they entered their new home.

  God was gracious and generous. Now at last, Mama was again as sure of this as she had taught Lucy a long time ago to always be.

  *** End of Book 1 ***

  Thank You so much for reading Mail Order Bride Lucy’s Faith!

  If you enjoyed Lucy’s Faith, you may also enjoy reading:

  *** Book 1 of the Glade River Brides Series,

  Mail Order Bride Julia that

  can be obtained here.

  To be entered for a monthly book giveaway

  and to get early bird notice of new releases,

  behind-the-scene story development nuggets

  and short excerpts of upcoming books,

  get Jackie’s newsletter at her website HERE.

  Author’s Note

  Thank You so much for reading Mail Order Bride Lucy’s Faith! There will be other books in the Faith To Victory Series and I’d love to tell you more about them and the other books I have up my sleeve. ;)

  *** I host a monthly New Release Book Giveaway Contest

  for all my newsletter readers. To have a go at Winning

  one of my new books each month and to GET Early Bird

  release notifications PLUS access to upcoming goodies,

  Sign Up for my Jackie Marie Stephens News

  Also, if you liked my book, please take a few minutes to leave your own short personal review to help others decide if they too would like to read it. Your review really matters to me! <3 Please share a few short comments about:

  Mail Order Bride Lucy's Faith HERE

  With Love and Appreciation from my heart to yours,

  Jackie Marie Stephens