Connor

By Sandy Grissom

This last book in the Cambridgeshire series has Ian Walker's Businessmen cousins coming from Ireland. Connor because he was all but jilted and Quinn once Connor finds a new lady and seems to be rushing into marriage. Is it only to be married or did he fall in love quickly? Will Quinn also fall for Connor's fiancee's good friend? Who will stay in England and who will return to Ireland? Will the flirtations even turn into love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandy Grissom
• Release date: Oct 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463069639

Sandy Grissom

Sandy Grissom has loved books all her life. That love began by listening to her older sister read when she was still too young to discover the magic for herself. She's read everything from history to the phone book but her favorite authors are James Michener, Agatha Christie and the mystic William Blake. Over the years, romantic novels became a favorite. The top of that list is Pride and Prejudice. When she retired she had too much time on her hands and spent too much money and trips to the library to get books in order to satisfy her restless soul. It was then she began to write herself. As an adult she held a variety of jobs, all of them grist for her imaginative mind. The occupations in Choppy Waters will hopefully inspire someone to fight for their own dreams, to never give up on themselves or on love. A widow, Sandy recently moved to southern Indiana where she lives near the younger of her two beloved sisters.

Book preview

CONNOR

By

Sandy Grissom

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2020 by S.K.G. Haag

Cover image by: Greg Montari via Pixabay.com

Cover design: www.yourebookcover.com

Sandy Grissom has loved books all her life. That love began by listening to her older sister read when she was still too young to discover the magic for herself. She’s read everything from history to the phone book but her favorite authors are James Michener, Agatha Christie and the mystic William Blake.

Over the years, romantic novels became a favorite. The top of that list is Pride and Prejudice. When she retired she had too much time on her hands and spent too much money and trips to the library to get books in order to satisfy her restless soul. It was then she began to write herself.

As an adult she held a variety of jobs, all of them grist for her imaginative mind. The places she’s lived also feed into her stories, namely Colorado and the desert of eastern Washington State. Her heart, though she wasn’t born there, grabbed onto and lives in the west, Nebraska, Wyoming and most especially Texas.

A widow, Sandy recently moved to southern Indiana where she lives near the younger of her two beloved sisters.

Prologue

October

Lady Katherine Farthingale sat with her husband in the library. It was a favorite room for both of them, cozy and warm. It was at the center of the house but she thought it was the books that kept it so warm. Not simply their presence which did provide an insulation of sorts. She thought it the comfort that the books brought to their lives. The books contained the life’s work of the author. She could not help but respect the labor it took to write such tomes. Wain loved to read as much as she did. He read to her often as she worked on needlework in the evening.

They did not read this evening, however. She talked but Wain that is Lord Gawain Farthingale, was not listening. He was trying to make sense of what she was saying but instead he only felt concern for his wife. That overrode whatever day to day issues Katy might be sharing with him.

He was so worried about his wife that he could no longer keep his concern to himself. He had to know what was troubling her. He rose from his chair and left Katherine sitting alone though she was still talking. He made his way to his study, picked up a pen and began to write out a note.

He had barely noted the name atop the page, when his wife entered the room.

What is it, my love? You left so suddenly, she said with a worried expression. Do you have some concern I might help you with?

I can bear it no longer, Katy. Something is amiss with you. I am writing to the surgeon that he come examine you. I cannot bear to lose you, too, he barely got out.

The pen dropped from his hand in his agony. Wain was not yet twenty when he had lost both of his parents. His father first and then his mother a few years later. He struggled to come to terms with the losses and his anger toward God for taking them. His anger was only put to rest when Katy came into his life several years after that. He loved her more than anything and could not imagine going on without her.

She could see how distraught her husband was. She should have realized he would see something was amiss with her and worry unnecessarily.

Oh, my dearest love, Katy said. This is my fault. I do beg your forgiveness. I thought to wait until all the weddings were past to tell you but I see now that I waited too long.

Whatever it is, Katy, I will call on the best doctors here or on the Continent. I cannot bear to lose you, he moaned again.

You shall not lose me, my love. I am not ill.

You cannot appease me, Katy. You are tired often. I caught you sleeping on the lounge in the drawing room the other day. Something is not right. I am sending for the surgeon.

I have already seen him, she smiled down at him tenderly.

Katherine moved around the desk and sat down quite unceremoniously on her husband’s lap.

I am not ill, she promised him.

She gave him a tender kiss on his cheek.

I am a little more tired these days but it is with good reason.

You have done too much. The planning of three weddings so close together have worn you out, he suggested.

Not at all, my love. Eileen did nearly all the planning for her brother’s nuptials to Ellen Holloway. I only had to help her decide which room for the event.

Alex and Nathan were both married here, I know.

Eileen helped Elinor plan her wedding to Mr. Holloway. Then those ladies helped Ellen to plan her wedding to Mr. Smithers.

Joe, but the nuptials and receptions were all three held here at Farthingale.

I admit that I gave a few ideas to each lady but I did nothing else. I promise you. It is not the weddings barely past that has me tired out, my dearest love.

What else could it be, he asked.

They spent so little time apart each day, he felt he would see anything amiss. Indeed he had seen there was a problem. He could think of nothing but her health that would cause such tiredness. His lady usually abounded with energy.

He looked up at her with such concern. She loved the way he showed his deep love for her. Katy leaned over and kissed her husband’s cheek again, then moved on toward his ear.

I am well, my darling. I am simply with child, my love. You are going to be a father, she whispered.

Wain was so surprised he made as if to jump from his chair until he remembered Katy was sitting on his lap. He sat back down quickly,

A baby? When?

Some weeks after Christmas, she replied, perhaps late February.

What a gift you have given me, he grinned.

God has given us both a gift. I feel honored he has entrusted us with the life that is in me.

He nodded his agreement.

Have you told your friends, he asked.

Not yet but I think Emily suspects. She is with child, too.

James and Emily Lister lived on an estate near Farthingale, Collingwood Park.

James can hardly speak of anything else. He is so excited.

Are you excited, Katy asked.

I am excited. I also feel blessed, anxious and so much more, I can barely comprehend my feelings.

I, too, am excited. I was so thrilled for Amy and Ian, then Emily and even Anne is with child. Can you imagine all these children growing up so close in age?

Amy and Ian Walker resided on an estate named Heathrow. It was also near Farthingale Park. Evan and Anne Drayton lived at Kensington Park, a bit farther away. Yet not so far that they might not be able to come to tea or supper easily.

It is a blessing to consider certainly. Ian and I were close as boys and today even better friends.

I know.

Why did you not tell me sooner?

I wanted to get past the three weddings so that our joy was ours alone. At least for a time.

Yet if Emily knows, surely she mentioned it to the other ladies.

She is my friend. She would not though she might tell James.

I believe she must have. James has been so giddy around me. I suspect it is not just his child he is gushing over but ours as well. Even Ian, who is more joyous than most, has been even more so lately. It might be that Amy has guessed and added our joy to hers, as well.

Women do see the signs in other ladies. Perhaps you are right. No matter, now that you know we may announce it to our friends. Indeed I shall write the good news to my mother.

Tomorrow, he declared, tonight is for us.

It was unusual for no one to be in house at Farthingale Park but so it was for the present. They had so many friends that some couple or two were at the estate for supper several times a week. Else they would dine at those estates. Ladies met for tea almost every day on one estate or another.

Some were closer friends and rode or dined more often together than with other estate owners and their wives. The Abbot’s of Rutherford Park and the Colton’s of Grayson Park were an example of that. The ladies were close friends and like them, their husbands had also known each other all their lives. Their estates abutted each other. That made is simple to ride together of a morning or take tea together if not invited elsewhere. Anne and Evan Drayton’s estate, Kensington Park was closer to Rutherford and Grayson. They dined together often.

Even so, every gentleman and his lady who lived near to each other were careful to not overlook any neighbor. One of a lady’s tasks was to make sure they spent time with all of the others. At least once or twice within a fortnight’s time. Often more often for some suppers had six or eight couples attending. Some might have guests in house. That caused a flurry of teas, shoots and suppers so the guests might meet or visit with friends or acquaintances.

Not at Farthingale this day, however. Wain and Katy were alone. He appreciated time alone with his wife. Yet he knew the quiet would soon bother Katy. She would have to invite someone to visit or at the least plan a supper party or two, perhaps a weekend party. He did not mind for he loved his wife to distraction. As he would a son or daughter sent to them by the Lord. Was ever a man as contented with life as he was? He could not imagine it being so. He sent silent thanks to the Lord for his many blessings.

He tore the page he had begun to write in two and dropped it in a waste basket as he and his Katy left the study.

Chapter One

March following

Connor Donovan could not believe what just happened. The lady, if you could call Mary Travers a lady, just turned down his offer of marriage. He went to her home this evening for the very purpose of proposing marriage. The lady had been almost joyously welcoming his calls on her for months now. Not just received them but so outwardly accepting of them that he was sure she would be amenable to an offer from him. She behaved when they were together as if they already had an understanding. Indeed Connor thought by her deportment that they did.

The way he described her behavior caused his friends to believe as he did. An engagement would surely be announced soon. She had all but kissed him once and fawned over him continually as if he was the best man that ever lived. What else was he to think but that she would be agreeable, even beyond pleased, when he offered for her. Oh she did not say she would never accept him. At least not at first.

He walked along the Dublin Street as he recalled the way she refused him. At first she spoke as if it was a postponement of sorts. That she was willing but did not want to rush a wedding. Plans took time, he knew. Still he could think of no reason she needed to delay giving him a response. After all engagements were often six months to a year before the ceremony. Not that he expected theirs would be so far in the future. Not the way the lady did all but gush over him when in his presence. She did not relate what purpose there might be in waiting to get engaged.

Connor could think of nothing in her circumstances that needed taken care of before an engagement could be announced. Indeed the wedding itself could take place in a month or two after that. He was could not understand for she ignored his several questions asking her to explain her reasoning. He was left to wonder what it was that caused her to respond to his questions in so wishy washy a manner. She spoke all around the proposal but did not explain to him what problem she had in giving him a definite answer. It was almost as if she did not wish to explain why. Though Connor felt an explanation was due him.

She did not look askance on him because he was a businessman. Her father was in trade himself. It could not be that. He was not bad looking. He had the means to support her, almost as well as her father. No doubt that man would lay some money on her at her marriage for she was his only daughter still at home. Those funds would increase his coffers and should be pleasing to the lady.

Now