Finding the Key to Love In the Marketplace: A Mail Order Bride Romance

By Doreen Milstead

A woman has looked after her sick mother for years in Washington DC, but when she comes across a mysterious new booth in the market, she is persuaded to sign up for something that will change her life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329850514

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Finding The Key To Love In The Market Place: A Mail Order Bride Romance

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2016 The Sweet Romance Network Presents…

Synopsis: A woman has looked after her sick mother for years in Washington DC, but when she comes across a mysterious new booth in the market, she is persuaded to sign up for something that will change her life forever.

Margery cried out as a wagon rolled by her, splashing her dress with foul-smelling water.

Sorry, Miss! the driver shouted over his shoulder as his horses trotted on.

It’s all right, she called back, a little half-heartedly. Her dressed was soaked in spots with the muddy stuff, and she still had to endure the market. Mother was getting too fragile to brave this trip, so Margery was just going to have to gather up her pride and keep going.

As she started to move forward, a group of men in suits pushed by, sending her staggering into the very same puddle, positively drenching her shoes and stockings, along with the hem of her dress.

Pardon, one of them said. But we’re to get to the Capitol at once.

Don’t let me stand in your way, Margery said a little sarcastically.

The hurried onward, not catching her tone.

Out of the way, young lady!

An officer of the law astride an enormous horse made Margery leap out of the way, sending her crashing into another pedestrian on the busy thoroughfare.

Watch where you’re going, the man scolded her, before pressing onward.

Margery forced herself to take a deep breath as she ran her hands through her unruly curls. They’d all been pinned back when she’d left the house that morning. Now, she was sure that every single one of them had escaped, springing around her face and trailing down her neck.

There were too many people in this city; too many.

If it were up to Margery, she’d simply turn tail and flee, away from the crush of the crowd, away from the stench of the street, away from the noise of it all. She’d run and run until she didn’t see a single person, there was fresh green grass beneath her feet, and birds sang and flitted around in the blue sky.

The brownish smoke belching up from every building didn’t leave much room for birds or their songs in Washington, D.C.

Margery wished they could move away — somewhere far away, somewhere west of here — but it was impossible. Her father had a job with the U.S. government. It was a good job and afforded them many luxuries, but Margery loathed the city. The streets weren’t paved, and when it rained, the mud that sucked at your boots stank like something dead clawed just beneath the surface. It disgusted her to have to leave the house, as she so often had to do.

Perhaps living out in the country would be good for mother, though. Margery thought it was a valid enough point to bring up with her father, but she knew what he’d say. He’d said it before.

Perhaps we could go out to the country, Margery. Then, where would we buy food to feed ourselves? Where would we get the money to buy the food if I’m not working? And how would your poor mother get the care she so dearly needs?

Margery knew he was right. Her mother did require much care, and she was quite ill. Her father’s job helped fund the army of doctors that their mother had been seeing, as well as the strange-smelling bottles of tinctures and salves and draughts. Many