Captain of Her Heart
Lily George
A Fatherâs Sins
Hannah Alexander
Harriet bounced from one bookshelf
to the next, exclaiming in delight.
âWhat do you like to read, Harriet?â Brookes asked.
âClassicsâlike the fall of Troy in Homerâs work. Itâs so heroic and romantic.â
Brookes gazed deeply into her dark eyes. âNot all wars are heroic or romantic.â
She colored under his gaze, staring at the floor. âI suppose thatâs true.â
He had gone too far, lecturing like a stern schoolmaster. âIâm sorry.â He studied her a bit longer, mesmerized by the pretty flush warming her cheeks. He attempted a lighter tone. âAfter being in battle, one realizes there is very little romance in war.â
She looked up at him. âSomeone should write a realistic novel about war.â
Drowning in those eyes, he had to tear himself away. âI doubt anyone would read it.â He cast a rueful grin her way.
After Harriet was gone, Brookes stood at the window. He was not easily flustered by anything, especially a pretty face. Rarely did anyone cause him to change his purpose or his mind.
But what if he had chosen the wrong sister?
LILY GEORGE
Growing up in a small town in Texas, Lily George spent her summers devouring the books in her motherâs Christian bookstore. She still counts Grace Livingston Hill, Janette Oke and L. M. Montgomery among her favorite authors. Lily has a BA in history from Southwestern University and uses her training as a historian to research her historical inspirational romance novels. She has published one nonfiction book and produced one documentary, and is in production on a second film; all of these projects reflect her love for old movies and jazz and blues music. Lily lives in the Dallas area with her husband, daughter and menagerie of animals.
Captain of Her Heart
Lily George
Dear Reader,
In 2012, Love Inspired Books is proudly celebrating fifteen years of heartwarming inspirational romance! Love Inspired launched in September 1997 and successfully brought inspiration to series romance. From heartwarming contemporary romance to heart-stopping romantic suspense to adventurous historical romance, Love Inspired Books offers a variety of inspirational stories for every preference. And we deliver uplifting, wholesome and emotional romances that every generation can enjoy.
Weâre marking our fifteenth anniversary with a special theme month in Love Inspired Historical: Family Ties. Whether ready-made families or families in the making, these touching stories celebrate the ties that bind and prove why family matters. Because sometimes it takes a family to open oneâs heart to the possibility of love. With wonderful stories by favorite authors Linda Ford and Ruth Axtell Morren, an exciting new miniseries from Regina Scott and a tender tale by debut author Lily George, this month full of family-themed reads will warm your heart.
I hope you enjoy each and every storyâand then come back next month for more of the most powerful, engaging stories of romance, adventure and faith set in times past. From rugged handsome cowboys of the West to proper English gentlemen in Regency England, let Love Inspired Historical sweep you away to a place where love is timeless.
Sincerely,
Tina James
Senior Editor
Iâd like to thank my wonderful agent,
Mary Sue Seymour, who talked me down off the proverbial ledge when all hope failed me.
To my critique group, who kindly and patiently pointed out my many writing foibles and helped me to become a stronger writer in the process.
To Melissa Endlich, my editor,
who brought me so much joy and hope.
To my pastor, who encouraged my writing, and never forgot to check my progress every Sunday.
To my husband, who made sure I had time to write and always encouraged me.
To my daughter, who is the reason I chose to write inspirational books.
* * *
I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.
âPhilippians 4:13
Chapter One
Tansley Cottage
Tansley Village, Derbyshire July 1816âthe year without summer
âWhat does the letter say, Mama?â Harriet ducked as her mother cast the missive aside, scattering sheets of paper around her bedroom. Alarm bells clanged in Harrietâs mind. If it were good news, Mama wouldnât carry on so. Harriet gathered the foolscap sheets into a bundle, scrutinizing the bold handwriting scrawled across each page.
âThey refuse to help us. Your fatherâs own family. And what are we to do? What is left to us? I vow I am a prisoner in this dreadful cottage.â Mama burst into angry tears.