Moonstruck: Four Historical Romance Novellas

By Doreen Milstead

Jilted In England Then Sent To South Dakota - Jilted by her beau, an English woman is sent by her aunt to become the mail order bride of a rancher in South Dakota. He ignores her and she is distraught, unhappy, and sick of traveling the long way from England to a man who apparently dislikes her; and she has no idea why PLUS Lessons Taught By A Child - A widow and her daughter strike out on their own, when life takes a dreadful downturn for them both PLUS Looking For A Good Life - A stubborn and pregnant English widow makes the long journey to California in the hopes of safe haven for she and her child, and intent on not marrying her mail order fiancé because he is merely a means to an end PLUS Man Alone - A woman from England decides to get out of London and seek a husband in California and after corresponding with a cowboy, makes her way there. There is nothing to do when he’s gone for weeks at a time and she begins to get restless, until an idea about owning their own mercantile store forms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387495689

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Moonstruck: Four Historical Romance Novellas

Moonstruck: Four Historical Romance Novellas

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2018 Susan Hart

Partial cover photo copyright: kdshutterman / 123RF Stock Photo

Jilted In England Then Sent To South Dakota

Synopsis: Jilted In England Then Sent To South Dakota - Jilted by her beau, an English woman is sent by her aunt to become the mail order bride of a rancher in South Dakota. He ignores her and she is distraught, unhappy, and sick of traveling the long way from England to a man who apparently dislikes her; and she has no idea why.

It had been raining for three days. Rain when you were traveling across the Atlantic onboard a ship was not fun. Alice Dickens had grown sick of staying in her stateroom, sick of the lounge and even sicker of her company. She was traveling from Liverpool to New York with her Great Aunt Rose. The old woman was a plotter and apparently now dabbled in matchmaking. She had been the one who had conspired with her mother to get Alice out of England.

Alice couldn’t shake her anger as she left behind the riches and extravagant lifestyle she had been raised in and traded it for cattle and hay. The very thought of how her world had come crumbing down around her left her cold and utterly lost.

The Dickens fortune was in a dire state. Her father had a dangerous addiction that the family had not discovered until it was too late. He was a gambler and not the kind who calls it a night after he’d lost a few pounds. No, he lost their entire savings, their possessions, and finally their home and the land it stood upon. Alice didn’t feel like she was leaving England, she felt like she was being driven away by shame.

When word got out that the Dickens family was penniless, not only were they the laughing stock of the county, but also everyone they had called a friend turned their back. People who had dined at their table, danced in their halls and stayed for a weekend here and there now pretended they didn’t know them.

Funny, Alice thought, how cheery they had been when we were throwing extravagant celebrations, paying their tabs at elegant restaurants, or treating neighbors to an evening at the theater. If this entire ordeal had taught her anything it was that trust was not something she would easily surrender again.

Alice was strong and could take all their vile behavior, but she couldn’t handle the betrayal Robert had given her. They had been promised to each other for three years and her wedding was just months away when he turned on her. He broke off their engagement and acted as if she knew of her father’s devious behavior.

You played the part, didn’t you? he had spat one night as he looked disgusted and took back his grandmother’s two karat engagement ring.

That’s when Alice allowed the ice to freeze over her heart and listened to her great aunt’s ridiculous plan. She filled Alice’s head with ideas of America and a new start. So, Alice swallowed her pride, packed her things and boarded a ship headed far from the land she called home. Her father couldn’t look her in the eye when she left and her mother wept bitterly.

She hugged her mother, kissed her father on the cheek, held her head high and walked out. She didn’t cry when she got into the carriage with Aunt Rose. She didn’t cry when she checked her luggage or boarded the ship. But once she was alone in her stateroom and the ship had left the dock she allowed the truth to settle in her heart. Then the tears came, and they came hard.

Alice wasn’t particularly sure what it was she was crying over. Was it the betrayal of her father? The loss of her valuables? The loss of her home? Her homeland? Or the way she was so callously dismissed by Robert, the one man who was supposed to love her forever. It was probably all of the above. She ran her fingers over where the diamond used to be. Her hand felt naked without it.

Then there was the new course her life was taking and it was perhaps the most frightening thing of all. Aunt Rose had a cousin in America who was known as a bit of a matchmaker. She had brought couples from Ireland and California together, from Texas to New York. And now, with the help of Aunt Rose, it would seem from England to South Dakota. That would be her homeland now, South Dakota.

Every syllable of it sounded revolting. She was a proper lady of Yorkshire. This talk of ranch life seemed to be more of a joke than her reality. She refused to believe it. Even when her foot stepped onto the soil of the ranch and she breathed in the American air, she feared she still might not believe it.

What did she know of cattle and horses? Although she was an expert rider, she was accustomed to sidesaddle while hunting foxes in the woods. She heard rumors that the Americans didn’t even bother with such a saddle. Regardless, it was what she knew and the only kind she would ride.

Then there was the matter of her betrothed… Jack Richards. All she knew was what Aunt Rose had related. He was ten years her senior and lived with his parents on the ranch. There was one sibling, a girl named Jane who was twenty-five. Jane was married and had her own house.

It felt like she was the baby of the new group. Alice was twenty. She knew at thirty, there was still a chance that Jack could be acceptable in appearance but she doubted he would look anything like the man she had lost.

Robert was blond, fit, and simply dashing in a tuxedo. The blood in his veins was the wealth and etiquette of the upper class. His family had been in high positions for the past three hundred years. No one questioned his station in life, but taking Alice as his wife would have ruined him. That’s what he had told her… You could have ruined me!

She could feel still feel the back of his hand as it made contact with her cheek. The sound of the smack more startling than the actual attack itself. That smack is what shattered her dreams and gave her the courage to abandon the veil of who she was. With a heavy heart, she agreed to her Aunt Rose’s plan.

In South Dakota no one would know, nor would they care about how her family had fallen faster than the Roman Empire. She was no longer the Lady Alice of Yorkshire. She was Alice Dickens crossing the Atlantic to marry Jack Richards, a horse rancher. It sounded like a farce. The whole thing so unimaginable, she half expected someone to chase after her and say, We took the joke too far! Your fortune is secure! Your true betrothed still waits for you! But those words would never come…

The ship rose and dipped as the storm outside increased its anger. Alice felt as though the very sea personified her despair. But the storm would pass, and her humiliation would pass as well. One day, years from now, she would look back on this time and say, ‘I was a wealthy woman once, but that was a long time ago’. Yes, her past would always be a part of her. It was the future that remained vague.

Breakfast with her aunt was not something she ever looked forward to, but she was expected to be seen with her during all three meals of the day and at teatime as well. All I do is sleep and eat on this blasted ship, she thought. I’m becoming more animal like every day.

You’re sulking, Alice. Her aunt pointed out as she sipped her tea, pinky extended like a proper lady.

Alice cocked her head and gave an overzealous smile. Is this better?

Oh it is very appropriate, if I were dining with a clown. Aunt Rose clucked her tongue and shook her head; her necklace making a jingling sound around her neck. Tell me child, are you a member of the carnival or a lady of Yorkshire?

Alice had to refrain from rolling her eyes. That behavior would likely give her aunt a heart attack.

Instead, she spoke through gritted teeth. I’m cattle, bought and sold.

Aunt Rose placed her cup back on the saucer and crossed her arms.

You’re being ridiculous. I told you, Mr. Richards has not paid to marry you. She leaned in to whisper her next remark. You may have lost your wealth but I will not turn you into a common prostitute.

Then why is he marrying me? He doesn’t even know me. For all he knows I’m an ugly old hag.

That is his business. He wants a wife. He has land.

Yes, land, a pile of stinking cow dung. Alice shuddered at the thought of what was waiting for her.

Aunt Rose raised a brow. More than what your family has left, my dear.

After that remark, Alice decided to eat the rest of her soft-boiled egg in silence.

The rain had finally stopped and she excused herself to go out on deck for a walk. The deck was crowded as many of the passengers and crew enjoyed the sun and calming waters. Children pointed in excitement to show their parents what they had discovered.

There, far above the ocean, was a double rainbow stretched out in a perfect arch. Alice had seen many rainbows before, but something about this one stirred up significance inside her. Something so beautiful can surely be a gift from God. Then realizing her answer she folded her hands in prayer. The storm has passed, my new life awaits.

After that, Alice no longer argued with her Great Aunt Rose. Instead, she spent as much time as she could inquiring about America to the wealthy families she dined with each evening. She relished in having servers and fancy gowns at dinner. Wearing barrettes and feathers in her hair made her feel like a proper young woman. The kind Robert had at one time adored. 

These were the last days of the only life she had ever known and she would remember every moment of them. She would smile and enjoy every bite of food. She would cherish every fine pair of silk gloves she stretched over her arms. Her days of finery were drawing to a close. Perhaps one day she would be part of this world, perhaps never again. Either way, she accepted what life would offer her.

She had a proposal of marriage from a man with land. That’s more than she had back home. She knew her Aunt Rose would never send her to a cruel man, her aunt was thorough in her research and although she kept the pertinent details from Alice, she had heard enough to feel the proposal was a good match. Her aunt even assured her of the one thing she worried over.

I am told he is quite nice to look at as well.

Alice had scolded her aunt at her improper words, but they did calm her down as she feared a brute with no teeth was attached to the name, Jack Richards.

When the ship approached New York harbor, Aunt Rose entered Alice’s stateroom with her maid, Daisy, behind her. Daisy had a suitcase in her hand and carefully placed it on Alice’s bed, then took her leave so the two women could be alone.

What’s this?

Alice was growing tired of little surprises.

Aunt Rose gestured to the simple looking suitcase. Open it.

She did, and swallowed hard when she saw its contents. Simple frocks, aprons, heavier dresses, shawls, and boots, her new wardrobe. Aunt Rose ran her finger down the fine black beads that were embroidered onto Alice’s satin royal blue gown.

You can’t wear ball gowns in the stables. Alice’s lip trembled, but she held in her dismay.

Thank you, Aunt Rose.

It won’t be all that bad my dear. You shall see.

She wanted to believe her aunt. She wanted to have her hold her and weep on her shoulder, but she couldn’t. All she could do was move forward.

Walking off the ship, Alice’s steps felt heavy, her heart weighed down as she watched those she had dined with for days scurrying about and laughing as their servants carried their luggage behind them. All of Alice’s belongings had been sold before they left the ship. Rose negotiated a fair price and gave the money to Alice.

In case you get in trouble, you have a way out. she said.

A way out? That was an odd way to phrase it. Why don’t you hold on to it?

The look in Rose’s eyes revealed the truth before she spoke the words. Rose didn’t even need to explain. The picture never seemed clearer.

Because you’re not continuing on with me. How could I have been so bloody stupid? Alice felt the anger twitching inside her.

Rose took her hand. We often see what we want to. You believed I would be by your side and so it helped you board the ship and leave all that you knew. But I am far too old for such a journey. I shall take up residence in my cousin’s home until the Lord calls me home.

She handed Alice a piece of paper.

Here is the address, write me often for I will want to know all about your new husband.

Alice didn’t have a slick response. She just nodded.

I’ve arranged for a carriage to bring you to the station. You are on the one-fifteen train out of New York.

She gave Alice a smile that caused her wrinkles to fold into place.

My brave girl, crossing an ocean and now a foreign country. What a romantic notion.

Or a foolish one. Either way, time will tell. I suppose this is goodbye then?

Rose reached up and kissed Alice on the cheek. Find the spark in your soul. It’s there. Embrace it, and allow it to transform you into the woman that destiny intended.

Alice had no words. She surrendered her fire long ago. She didn’t see how she would ever get it back.

The train was worse than the ship. It jerked, hissed, and her seat was directly over the wheels causing a constant clacking sound that was