The Marriage Agreement
Promoted to Wife?Always the dutiful daughter, Fanny Mitchell surprised everyone when she broke her engagement. Now she's working at the fancy Hotel Dupree–and falling for the mysterious, handsome owner, Jonathon Hawkins. But when she and her boss are caught in an unexpected kiss at a ball, will her reputation be tarnished forever?The son of a woman of ill repute, Jonathon knows that gossip can destroy lives in an instant. And he won't allow sweet, lovely Fanny to suffer the consequences. When he proposes a marriage of convenience, Jonathon believes he can keep his heart to himself. But the more time he spends with Fanny, the more he realizes he may just be in love–with his wife…Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier
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Promoted to Wife?
Always the dutiful daughter, Fanny Mitchell surprised everyone when she broke her engagement. Now sheâs working at the fancy Hotel Dupreeâand falling for the mysterious, handsome owner, Jonathon Hawkins. But when she and her boss are caught in an unexpected kiss at a ball, will her reputation be tarnished forever?
The son of a woman of ill repute, Jonathon knows that gossip can destroy lives in an instant. And he wonât allow sweet, lovely Fanny to suffer the consequences. When he proposes a marriage of convenience, Jonathon believes he can keep his heart to himself. But the more time he spends with Fanny, the more he realizes he may just be in loveâwith his wife...
Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier
âI am completely at fault,â Fanny choked between inhales.
âNot completely, no.â Jonathonâs deep voice poured warmth over her cold heart. âWe share the blame and will face the consequences together, no matter how dire or life-altering.â
He did not mention marriage, but he was thinking it. The evidence was there, in the grim twist of his lips and the stern set of his shoulders.
Sheâd dragged this man into a place heâd vowed never to go.
âCome.â He tugged her toward the ballroom, toward their moment of reckoning. âTime to face the good people of Denver.â
He guided her to the very edge of the French doors. A few more steps and they would cross over the threshold, into a future neither of them truly wanted. Jonathon for his reasons.
Fanny for hers.
She shot a glance at Jonathon from beneath her lashes. Even in the dense, flickering shadows, she recognized the resolve in his eyes, the willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect her from another scandal.
She could not let him compromise his future for hers.
RENEE RYAN grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Nebraska, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, @ReneeRyanBooks.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my motherâs womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
âPsalms 139:13â14
For Cindy Kirk and Nancy Robards Thompson, the best plotting partners on the planet. Thank you for walking beside me throughout the process of writing this book and being willing to help me plot myself out of a corner far too many times to admit. I love you both!
Contents
The Hotel Dupree, Denver, Colorado 1896
Shadows sculpted the darkened ballroom as Fanny Mitchell awaited her employerâs arrival. A happy sigh leaked out of her, echoing off the ornate walls. She loved this cavernous, oft overlooked room, loved it above all others in the hotel.
An expectant, almost dreamy silence hung in the air, as if Fanny was on the brink of something new and wonderful. Arms outstretched, she executed an uninhibited spin across the dance floor. Then stopped abruptly, frowning at her whimsy.
A quick tug on her sleeves, a readjustment of her skirt, and she was back to being the oh-so-proper guest-services manager of the finest hotel in Denver, Colorado.
Decorum restored, she continued her inspection at a more sedate pace. In four days, Mrs. Beatrix Singletary would hold her annual charity ball in this very room. Three hundred of Denverâs most important residents were invited to attend, including most of Fannyâs family. It would be the first time the widow held the event outside her home. Fanny suspected this change in venue was because Mrs. Singletary now owned one quarter of the Hotel Dupree.
As owner of the other three quarters, Fannyâs employer wished to impress his new business partner with the efficiency of their hotel staff. Fanny would not let him down.
She would not let herself down. This was her chance to prove she was more than the gossips claimed, more than the labels others had attached to her since childhood.
By organizing this particular function, the largest and most anticipated of the year, Fanny would finally show the good people of Denver that she was worthy of their respect. That she hadnât jilted one of the most highly respected men in town on impulse, or because of some hidden flaw in her character.
Her decision had been well thought out and for all the right reasons.
