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Even in the
prospering colony of New South Wales, it would be far-fetched to think a
convicted man could consider marrying the daughter of a wealthy property owner.
But Remy has larger
problems to contend with than Sara’s bigoted father. Forced to leave the woman
he loves behind, Remy faces overwhelming odds and an ordeal that threatens to
strip him of everything; his pride, his strength, his health—even his life.
Sara has many
struggles of her own and when Remy finally thinks he has a future with Sara
within his grasp, he is sent to a place where pain and suffering are everyday
occurrences. Will the lovers ever find true happiness?
*~~~~~~~~~~~*
And here's my snippet. Remy and Sara's first meeting:
“I don’t know which is worse, to
be candid. I wished we’d never come out to this country of savages, but my
father was convinced a fortune was waiting to be made.” She flicked a glance at
her father, now boring Tiger with a discourse on trading practices. Tiger’s
expression clearly showed his indifference to her father’s monologue.
“And has he made his fortune
yet?” Rem didn’t take his eyes from her face. Every move she made entranced him
more and more. He couldn’t give a brass farthing for her father’s possessions,
but anything that got her talking was worth the effort.
“He’s wealthy, if that’s what you
mean. My mother and I are allowed to purchase whatever we need to make us
presentable in society.”
“Society?” Rem laughed, glancing
about. “Hardly that out here.”
She picked sparingly at the food
set before her. “You’re right. We could all walk around in plain clothes and
not give a fig for our appearance, and who would know or care? It really is a
land of savages.” The poignancy of her quiet statement struck him in the heart.
“I would care.” Rem stared at her
hard, and thought, such a hothouse plant should be pampered and spoiled,
brought up amongst the society in London, not dragged to a godforsaken place
like this. “Never change, sweet Sara. Always stay as beautiful and elegantly
attired as you are now, no matter the cost or effort. Promise me.”
“All right. I will promise you
that.” Her small laugh made his gut wrench. “Will you show me around the
property?” she asked, glancing down the table.
The meal was almost at an end,
and the others were still engrossed in a debate on the merits of sheep farming
versus trading; Tiger enthusing about the price of fleece on the English
market.
She had a way of fluttering her
eyelashes that sent Rem’s heart into a spin. Trying not to show his eagerness, and
thus appearing like a smitten schoolboy, Rem rose slowly, bowing over her hand.
“I would be honored.” He pressed a kiss on her knuckle and was pleased to see
her soft cheeks turn delightfully pink.
“Where are you off to?” Edmund
bellowed, interrupting their discussion, as she settled her skirts about her
with a pat of the hand.
Rem held his breath, expecting
her father’s annoyance to deter her, but then she said sweetly, “Rem is going
to show me around, Papa,” and gave Edmund a peck on his florid cheek. She
smiled demurely at Bella. “And I need to walk after such a splendid meal. Thank
you, Mrs. Carstairs. It was most enjoyable. But I shouldn’t have eaten so
much.”
“Please call me Bella,” Bella
insisted, waving them on their way. “Go on with you, and enjoy your stroll.”
Rem grinned at Bella’s meaningful look. A look that clearly stated he was to
watch his step with this beauty, or bear the wrath of her father.
Rem knew Greenwood wouldn’t make
a scene in front of Bella and Tiger and smiled to himself. “Come, I’ll show you
the orchard Tiger planted soon after they arrived here.” Offering his arm, he
inhaled her fragrance as she hooked her hand in his elbow.
When they were out of earshot of
the others, he said softly, “You smell as sweet as a garden full of blooms.” She tapped him on the chest with
her fan and smiled, showing dear little dimples in her cheeks. “Hmm.” With a
chuckle, she wrinkled her nose pertly. “I’m surprised I don’t stink like one of
the horses, considering our mode of transport.”
“There’s no decent lanes or
carriage ways yet. It’s difficult for you to be jolted over the stubble in your
wagon. Tiger’s working hard at improving that. Soon there’ll be a passable road
connecting the properties on this side of the river. You should have seen it
last year when I arrived.”
“The author has
delivered an accurate and compelling story of a convict's life, touching on
those of gold miners and the growing town of Sydney. The evocative writing and
the increasingly dire straits that Remy and Sara find themselves in, make for
an excellent read." Leanne Shawler for eBook Reviews Weekly
Please take a moment to hop on over to these blogs for more snippets from amazing authors:
http://mizging.blogspot.com (Ginger
Simpson)
http://connievines.blogspot.com.au/ Connie
Vines
http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/ Juliet Waldron
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