INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Soldierâs Homecoming
Ensign James Rowland was fortunate to return from Waterloo unscathedâat least in body. But guilt from that terrible battle has left him almost mute and crushed in spirit. Only in the company of sweet, compassionate Lucy Williams, a volunteer at the Veteransâ Group in Bath, does he begin to feel happiness is within reach.
Penniless governesses canât afford dreams of romance. Lucy Williams is resigned to lifelong spinsterhoodâuntil James enters her life. His mother opposes the match. Lucy herself is sure the chasm between their ranks is too wide. But now that she has helped heal James, he intends to overcome every obstacle between themâ¦and emerge victorious in the battle for her love.
Lucy was alone. That made giving his gift of flowers easier. He caught them up and extended the bouquet toward her. âF-for you.â
âFor me?â Her eyes widened. âHow lovely they are. Thank you, Ensign.â
âJames,â he insisted. âYou should c-call me James.â
âCertainly, James. And you must call me Lucy.â She cast her eyes down to the table.
Could he truly win her affection? He needed to have more time with her, to learn the truth of her feelings toward him.
When the clock began chiming the hour, Lucy stood. âOh, dear. I must get back to the schoolroom.â
âI w-wish you well in all your upcoming s-social d-duties, especially the b-ball,â he responded with a slight bow. âB-but I am sure you w-will even outshine M-Miss B-Bradbury.â
Something like amazement kindled in her eyes. âDo you really think so?â she breathed.
âYes, I d-do.â Why was she so astonished? Surely she knew how very wonderful she was.
âWell, if thatâs true, then youâre the only person in Bath who thinks so.â Her tone was quiet, and as she left the room, she tossed a little smile his way as though she tossed a blossom at his feet.
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 Oake 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.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
â2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For my family and friends, especially my husband and daughter, who continue to endure my writing so patiently.
Chapter One
March 1818
Bath, England Saint Swithinâs Church of England
Lucy Williams rolled her eyes at her friend in playful disgust. Sophie Handley had no idea how to flirt. That much was certain. For all her airs and graces, for all her pretty face and lithe figure, her friend had no real idea how to capture a manâs attention.
Why, they had come to Saint Swithinâs for Sunday services just so Sophie could meet up with a man she liked, and here he wasâon the point of departure. And Sophie just fretted at Lucyâs side, murmuring how all was lost. Utterly ridiculous.
It was time to take matters into oneâs own hands. Lucy tugged on her reticule, unclasping it from her wrist. Then, as the parishioners began to file out of the church, she pushed through the crowd, keeping Sophie close by. The sea of humanity parted, and she could just glimpse Lieutenant Cantrill, her quarry. A young man stood beside the lieutenant, his angular face a mask of misery. Lucy stopped short. Why was he so sad? Her heart skipped a beat. Surely there was no reason in the world for such a handsome man to be so morose.
Sophie made an impatient tsking sound, jolting Lucy back to her senses. âTwas time to accomplish her mission. With a smart twist of her wrist, she sent the reticule flying. It landed with a satisfying smack right beside the lieutenant on the wooden floor. He bent at once to retrieve it, his interesting companion bending down to assist. The lieutenant picked up her reticule, his eyebrow quirked, and turned to look for the party responsible for launching such a cunning little missile.
Time to spring into action.
âOh, sir!â Lucy sang out. âYou found my reticule. How very good of you.â She hustled forward, tugging Sophie along behind her. âIt was knocked clear of my hand by the bustle of this crowd.â She skidded to a halt before the lieutenant and his companion, giving both the confident smile that had won her a position as governess to Lord Bradburyâs daughtersâno mean feat for a penniless orphan. Sophie stood beside her, pale and silent, her large blue eyes as round as saucers as she stared at Lieutenant Cantrill. Lucy jabbed Sophie in the ribs with her elbow, sending Sophieâs curls bouncing.