Evermark: Beauty from Ashes

By Annie B. Carwyn

Based on true events, Evermark shares the moving story of a womans journey to discover the true meaning of love.

Roselyn thought she had it all a beautiful family, a comfortable home, and a devoted husband. But life as she knew it in the sleepy 17th century village of Avendale would come to a crushing halt when she discovers her husbands criminal affair. With her husband behind bars, her children to care for, and her reputation shattered, how could she go on? Suddenly alone in a harsh world, Roselyn must decide to flee or abide by the Sacred Writings of old. With invaluable insights into the healing process following a spouses infidelity, Evermark shares a tale of the hope of redemption. Truly a beauty from ashes story, this novel is a must-read for both men and women alike.

Evermark is a courageous story of Gods unrelenting love and grace, especially in the midst of hardship and grief. In the real world of betrayal and sorrow and anger, the majesty and power of sacrificial forgiveness is made all the more beautiful.

Mike Erre, author and pastor

A captivating story of restoration and redemption, Evermark shares a womans courageous choice and journey to remain married following her husbands infidelity. Poignantly written, it clearly illustrates the message of what it means to follow Gods will regardless of circumstances. A beautiful story of marriage, family, faith, and unconditional love.

Doug Fields, speaker, author, consultant

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512717167

Annie B. Carwyn

Annie Carwyn resides in sunny California with her ruggedly handsome husband, two talented children, and a menagerie of furry friends. With a master’s degree in education, she spends the majority of her time teaching students as a reading and writing specialist. When she isn’t working with students, she can be found out on the trails riding her white Arabian mare. Annie’s love of horses started early in life with western pleasure riding that later led to competitions in jumping events, dressage, and polo matches. Annie’s happy place is definitely anywhere in the great outdoors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, backpacking, jogging, kayaking, sailing, and, of course, horseback riding. Akin to her namesake, Annie is a naturally talented marksman who enjoys spending time at the range. As quick as she is with a rifle, she is with a skillet. She loves the time she spends cooking for her family and hanging out with them at home.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 Annie B. Carwyn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1717-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1718-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1716-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015917536

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/26/2015

Contents

Sonnet 116

-Chapter 1-

-Chapter 2-

-Chapter 3-

-Chapter 4-

-Chapter 5-

-Chapter 6-

-Chapter 7-

-Chapter 8-

-Chapter 9-

-Chapter 10-

-Chapter 11-

-Chapter 12-

-Chapter 13-

-Chapter 14-

-Chapter 15-

-Chapter 16-

-Chapter 17-

-Chapter 18-

-Chapter 19-

-Chapter 20-

-Chapter 21-

-Chapter 22-

-Chapter 23-

-Chapter 24-

-Chapter 25-

-Chapter 26-

-Chapter 27-

-Chapter 28-

-Chapter 29-

-Chapter 30-

-Chapter 31-

-Chapter 32-

-Chapter 33-

-Chapter 34-

-Chapter 35-

-Chapter 36-

-Chapter 37-

-Chapter 38-

-Chapter 39-

-Chapter 40-

-Chapter 41-

-Chapter 42-

-Chapter 43-

-Chapter 44-

-Chapter 45-

-Chapter 46-

-Chapter 47-

-Chapter 48-

-Chapter 49-

-Chapter 50-

-Chapter 51-

-Chapter 52-

-Chapter 53-

-Chapter 54-

-Chapter 55-

-Chapter 56-

-Chapter 57-

-Chapter 58-

-Chapter 59-

-Chapter 60-

-Chapter 61-

-Chapter 62-

-Chapter 63-

-Chapter 64-

-Chapter 65-

-Chapter 66-

-Chapter 67-

-Chapter 68-

-Chapter 69-

-Chapter 70-

-Chapter 71-

-Chapter 72-

-Chapter 73-

-Chapter 74-

-Chapter 75-

-Chapter 76-

-Chapter 77-

-Chapter 78-

-Chapter 79-

About the Author

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Without Him, I would not know the meaning of unconditional love.

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.

Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle’s compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

—William Shakespeare

-Chapter 1-

March 6, 1609

-Roselyn-

"This is what you signed up for."

The words echoed through her mind, haunting her, mocking her.

Hugging her knees to her long, woolen skirt, Roselyn swayed back and forth on the low straw bed, aching for comfort. Her light-brown hair clung to her shoulders in a tattered mess, hiding her tear-stained face.

No, not this. Anything but this. It can’t be. Why, Abba? Why? Tears came again, and her weak and tender frame shook. She laid her head upon her straw pillow, trying to sleep in an effort to make it all go away. But sleep wouldn’t come.

The news had come shortly after she had placed her young daughters in their beds for the evening. Praise be to the Holy One that word had not arrived before then. At least she had the length of the solitary evening to decide how to handle the crushing news.

She shook with fear as she recalled the words the messenger had issued earlier that evening. Something deep within her soul confirmed them to be true.

The messenger, a dark bull of a man, had arrived, four members of the Cirian Guard escorting him. With the night so still, Roselyn had heard them coming down the road. She’d risen from the table and slowly walked to the door of their small thatched cottage. Though night had fallen, she could see by the light of the moon that the guards wore the customary black armor with the familiar gilded swords at their sides. They came up the road atop flawlessly groomed black geldings. For a brief moment, Roselyn found herself distracted by the sheer beauty of their mounts.

The moment didn’t last though, as the presence of the Cirian guard indicated a matter of a serious nature. Her mind instantly fled to Liam. Liam! Something had happened.

No, Abba, please no.

Fear gripped her. Her knees weakened as the guards approached, and she reached out for the wooden door frame to support her failing strength. The guards stopped at her door with a sudden fury. There was no mistaking it. Their business this night was with her.

The messenger slid off his horse, pulling a scroll out of his saddlebag as he did so. As his feet hit the ground, he was already unraveling the legal document. Roselyn braced herself once more.

Clad in drab brown woolen pants with an equally plain shirt, the messenger opened his mouth to proclaim the words of the parchment.

It is hereby declared on authority of the court that Sir Liam Rennes has been arrested this very night for unlawful relations with a certain Lady Opal, stepdaughter to Chief Guard Lucius Shade. Under Avendale law, it is forbidden for any man to enter into a relationship with an unmarried woman without the consent of her parents. Sir Rennes has therefore been imprisoned, and he will remain there until he is tried before a court of law that shall determine his fate. Bail is posted at fifty gold crescents.

A tremor ran through Roselyn’s body. No, this isn’t real. Her mind raced in an attempt to shake the nightmare.

Her body shook, and her chin quivered.

No, it can’t be. Y-you have it wrong. P-please …

The guardsmen paid her whisperings no heed. After rolling up the parchment, the messenger stared at Roselyn. As an official of the court, I strongly advise that you secure your own attorney.

Roselyn looked up in shock at his words.

What did you know of your husband’s … extracurricular activities? he continued.

She tried to control the tears.

N-nothing. I-I know nothing, she stammered.

"And how is that, I wonder, he snickered. As I’ve already stated, I suggest you secure a proper attorney."

With that, he remounted his horse, threw the parchment carelessly back into his saddlebag, and struck his mount to gallop away. The guards followed after him.

Roselyn crumpled to the dirt. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. The pain was instant and overwhelmingly acute. Suddenly, everything felt so heavy. The pain clenched into a tight ball within her chest.

How could he? How could he? How could he just throw it all away?

The tears came now. Sobbing, she rocked herself back and forth. She knew not how long she sat in the doorway, hugging her knees to her chest and weeping until there were no more tears left in her swollen eyes. Finally she pulled herself up and made her way through the cottage to the back rooms. As she peeked in on her daughters, she breathed a sigh of relief to find that both were still asleep. Thankful that her heavy sleepers had missed the commotion of the night, she walked shakily toward her bed.

This was their bed—their marriage bed. And now … it was no more. How could he do this to me? she thought again. To the girls? A wave of bitter anger washed over her.

She knew too much of his past to doubt the truth of the matter. She knew who he was. She had, as she thought, "signed up for this." After all, he had made no secret of the relations he had had prior to their first meeting. It had always been a source of pain for both him and for her as he recalled the wild days of his youth. But she had forgiven him. They had moved on. Or so she had thought.

-Chapter 2-

Midnight into the Morning of March 7

-Roselyn-

Try as she might, sleep evaded her. Waves of anger, bitterness, and resentment overwhelmed her at every moment. She lifted her weakened body out of bed and sought out Liam’s wineskin. He had always kept it hidden in the cabinet. Roselyn was not disappointed. It was still there. With a sense of urgency, she tore off the cap, threw her head back, and took a sizeable swig. Tears burned her eyes. She took another. And another. Perhaps this would dull the pain. Deep within her, she knew it would not. There was only one thing that would offer solace, but she wasn’t willing to open it. The Sacred Writings, a leather-bound collection of ancient scripts that told of the Holy One, sat upon the table. It was the last thing she wanted to open at the time.

After she wiped her eyes, she looked down and spied Liam’s ceramic mug. Anger swept through her. Seizing it in her hands, she blankly stared at it for a brief moment before hurling it to the ground in a wave of fury. It shattered into shards upon the kitchen floor.

What a perfect picture of their marriage now—nothing but shards and shambles. She took another swig and slid herself down to the floor to weep once more. It wasn’t long before she had completely drained the contents of the wineskin. The warm liquid filled her insides with a temporary haze. She took solace in the stupor until her backside told her it was time to get up. Staggering to her feet, she fumbled to sweep up the mess she had made. She had to erase the evidence of her outburst before Belle and Emelia awoke in the early-morning light.

Though Roselyn hadn’t slept a wink through that wretched night, she knew her daughters would be stirring soon. She would have to face them with some sort of news or explanation as to why their beloved father was not at home. The thought stung. Memories flooded her mind. Images of the days of their courtship, the birth of their two little girls, and the years of building their home and lives together stretched before her. She had thought they would be together forever. The thought now brought on a whole new set of tears. She felt the loss of all that was and all that would never be.

Her thoughts turned now towards Belle and Emelia. They loved their father. More than that. They adored him. News of his whereabouts would crush them. She couldn’t do that to them. But what could she tell them? At the tender ages of four and eight, there was little that they would be able to understand. And yet she had to tell them something.

A fleeting thought suggested she say as little as possible for now. In fact, both girls were quite accustomed to their father’s absence at work in the evenings. As a merchant trader, Liam was often kept long night working at the shipyard. Should she say that work had kept him, it would not seem strange or out of the ordinary at all.

Her thoughts turned towards her husband. A self-made man dedicated to his work and his ships in the trading business, he had been respected and admired by many of the townspeople. He was handsome with light-brown hair and green eyes that sparkled with each new idea. Having started off his business with his own individual trading ship he had he had ambitiously seen it grow to many ships beneath his care. Working days and nights, he diligently and deliberately built his business into a booming success. Unfortunately, doing so had left little remnants for his family.

Roselyn’s eyes began to pierce with bitter resentment. Painful memories of missed dinners, absent bedtimes, and unseen performances. With Liam, work had always taken precedence. It had a way of coming before the family … and before her.

Unfortunately, the work he poured into his business rarely equated with wealth at home. He poured almost every profit he made back into the business. Bigger and better, he would say. He promised Roselyn that he was growing their future. There would come a day when it would all pay off. But she had grown weary of the empty promises.

Roselyn was saved from her dark musings by the sound of little voices in the next room.

Forcing a smile, she entered the room and whispered, Good morning, my loves.

Both girls looked up at her through sleepy smiles from beneath their bedding. They were beautiful girls. And their beauty was enhanced by their obliviousness to it. With their golden hair, almond-shaped eyes, and petite stature, they had almost an exotic look about them. Had they been closer in age, they could have easily passed for twins.

What’s wrong, Mama? Belle asked with a look of concern on her face.

Roselyn had to grin at her daughter’s insight. She couldn’t sneak anything past this girl. Even at a young age, her eldest was quick to pick up on the cues from adults around her.

Nothing, sweetheart, Roselyn lied.

Where’s Daddy? Belle asked.

Working, Roselyn lied again.

Oh, Belle replied.

Come, girls. It’s time to rise and get dressed.

What are we doing today, Mama? asked Emelia, rubbing her eyes.

We will be traveling to Nana and Papa’s house, Roselyn said, choking up. Against her will, tears prickled.

Yay! shouted little Emelia, and then she jumped out of bed. As most little girls her age, she looked forward to any time she could spend with her grandparents who loved to spoil her.

What is it, Mama? asked Belle again, obviously concerned.

Nothing to worry about, my dear, Roselyn said, patting her daughter on the shoulder. I’m simply having a bit of a rough start. It’ll be all right. Everything will be just fine. Let’s just get to your grandparents’ house.

The girls obediently rose to don their weekday skirts and blouses. They carefully combed and twined each other’s hair into two long braids that hung in graceful golden pleats down their backs. Roselyn smiled with pride and affection at her two daughters. They didn’t always get along well, but when they did, they were inseparable.

Mama, do we really have to walk all the way there? whined little Emelia. It’s so far.

You can run if you don’t want to walk, Belle teased.

Emelia rolled her eyes at her older sister. Why can’t we have a horse of our own? If we had a horse, we wouldn’t have to walk everywhere. I wish we had a horse.

Once more, resentment hit Roselyn. It had been her life’s desire from as far back as she could remember to have her own horse. Liam had always told her, Someday. That day never came. And now she couldn’t help but consider that someday would never come. All was lost now. She shook her head, knowing she had to be strong for her daughters.

"We have what Abba has given us. We can be grateful for the two legs upon which we stand and upon which we walk. Come, now. Who knows what we will see on our adventure to Nana and Papa’s? Some new wild birds. Maybe some squirrels. Perhaps we’ll see a fox … or even a unicorn?"

She winked playfully at little Emelia, knowing full well that her favorite mythical creature would ignite a spark of enthusiasm. It did. Emelia smiled a wide smile.

A unicorn! I want to see a unicorn. And maybe it will even have wings! Then it will fly right above us on our walk to Nana and Papa’s. And I will name it Sparkle.

That’s not a very creative name, Belle said.

Belle, Roselyn said in a disciplinary tone.

Sorry, said Belle. It just could be a little more creative. How about—

Kiss! interrupted Emelia. I will name my unicorn Kiss.

Then we can each have our own unicorn, replied Belle. Yours can be a purple unicorn, and mine will be silver. They can be sisters. We find them in the forest, and they don’t have a home. But we adopt them and …

Roselyn smiled at the creative imaginations of her two young daughters. Watching their minds wander was a certain blessing in such a time as this.

-Chapter 3-

March 7, 1609

-Roselyn-

Save the excited chatter of the two girls, the walk for Roselyn was a silent one. The young ones seemed worlds away as she kept to her own thoughts and the turmoil within. She couldn’t help but think that nothing would ever be the same. The safety and security of her life had been shattered. Feeling a new sense of numbness, she told herself she just had to make it to her parents’ home for assistance. It was all she had left.

They walked on. Beautiful trees lined the dirt path, their leaves stretching out in a lacy canopy overhead, allowing bits of sunlight to shine down upon the travelers. Their beauty was lost on Roselyn this day.

Mama! I found a tiny green frog hopping off the path! Can I catch it? Can I? Can I catch the froggy, Mama? Emelia squealed.

Roselyn didn’t hear.

Aw, he’s gone. He’s too fast for me. Look! Look at the bluebird, Mama!

Mama, can we chase each other along the path? Belle asked.

Without an answer, the two girls took off running down the path.

Roselyn could feel herself ignoring the girls, but she was too numb to do anything about it. She wanted to be there for her daughters, who were at the moment completely unaware of the nightmare that had unfolded, but her current pain and shock were more than she could bear. Her husband had betrayed her. He had given his body to a younger, prettier woman. Thoughts echoed once again through her mind.

I wasn’t what he wanted. If I had been enough for him, he would not have wandered.

Looking down at her work-worn hands, she tried unsuccessfully to suppress the tears that choked her eyes, not wanting Belle or Emelia to see. She turned her face toward the bordering forest as the tears fell in silent streams.

She hadn’t been good enough. That was the bottom line. Her husband didn’t want her. She reached up to touch her careworn face.

Abba … oh, Abba, why? There was no controlling the flood of tears now. They fell freely, blinding the path ahead. Numbly she walked on, forcing one foot in front of the other.

Soon the entrance of her parents’ cottage came into view. She could see both girls running toward the front door.

As soon as the inhabitants heard the sound of running footsteps on the gravel, a team of servants emerged to greet the visitors. Roselyn heard Belle and Emelia calling out their grandparents’ names as they ran up to the cottage door. It wasn’t long before she saw the figure of Kathleen Laudvis emerge to stand in the door frame.

Hello, my loves! Hello! Come on in. It’s so good to see you. To what do we owe the pleasure of this fine visit?

Mama wanted to come, Belle replied with honesty. I think she’s upset about something.

Kathleen Laudvis looked up from her grandchildren to study Roselyn as she shuffled up the path. Roselyn knew she looked haggard and worn. Concern broke over her mother’s face.

Girls, go run and find Papa. He’s working on a new project in his toolshed, and I’m sure he’d love your help.

Both girls obediently ran to find their grandfather.

Roselyn! What’s wrong? What is it, child? Kathleen reached out to grab Roselyn as she stumbled through the doorway. Leading Roselyn to a small settee, she motioned for her to sit down while she summoned a servant to bring some chamomile tea.

Roselyn opened her mouth, but instead of the words she had rehearsed, she found she could not speak. She bit her lip in anguish.

"Whatever it is, Roselyn dear, I can guarantee that it will all be all right.

No, mother, it won’t, Roselyn mumbled. "It will never be all right."

Tell me, child. What has happened?

Liam … Liam … H-he’s been arrested.

"What?"

H-he’s been taken by the Cirian Guard, Mother.

What? No. No, surely you are mistaken.

It is no mistake, Mother. I can assure you that it is no mistake, Roselyn argued.

Oh, sweetheart, tell me. What has happened?

A messenger accompanied by members of the Cirian Guard came to our cottage last night to deliver a message. It was dreadful, Mother, simply dreadful. He said that Liam had been arrested for— She paused then. She had to force herself to say the words. For having an illicit affair with the daughter of the chief guard. He went as far as to insinuate that I should have known as much or that I had some role to play in the matter. Oh, I can scarce believe it. It’s over, Mother. The girls, Mother. Oh, the girls. What do I do? They’ll no longer have a father. And I no longer have a husband. It’s all over.

Once again her body shook in the arms of her consoling mother. Both women silently clung to each other for a while, trying to digest the dark news. It was a while before Kathleen gently pushed Roselyn away and held her at arm’s length.

Come with me. We go to your father. He will know what to do, Kathleen said resolutely.

I can’t, Mother. I can’t tell anyone right now, stammered Roselyn. Please don’t make me.

"Such a matter cannot stay hidden for long, dear. Your father must know, as well as your sisters and your brother. As your twin sister, Jacquelyn will especially want to know as soon as possible. Ophelia will also want to come and offer her aid. The same goes for Brom, should his minstrel group grant him leave. After all, we are family. What is family for if not for helping each other in times such as these?" said her mother.

Roselyn nodded.

You remain here and lie down. I shall see to it that your siblings and your father are informed. You’ve had enough to endure in the past twenty-four hours.

With that, she motioned for a servant.

The servant returned carrying a cup of tea, some biscuits, and a warm blanket for Roselyn. Her mother instructed Roselyn to lie down on the settee while she went to speak with Roselyn’s father.

Mayor of the town of Avendale, Thomas Laudvis was a wise man, well known and respected by many, if not all, of the townspeople. Roselyn had no doubt that if anyone would know what to do, it would be he.

She grabbed her knees, drawing them up to her chest, and prayed for sleep—and for the miracle that all would be over when she awoke.

-Chapter 4-

Midday on March 6, 1609

-Liam-

They had arrived in the middle of a merchant transaction. He had seen the Cirian guards approaching on their black horses with their swords and knew it was over. It was finally over. An odd sense of relief rippled through his body.

As the guards approached, Liam submissively trudged out to meet them. Though he willingly surrendered, the guards wasted no time in taking him down. With swords drawn and clubs raised, they beat him into submission. The physical beating was nothing in comparison to the shame that overwhelmed him. He prayed for a swift end—or even better, death. Neither happened. The guards whipped him just enough for him to remain conscious of the beating’s agony. Once they’d had their fill, they forced him into shackles and chained him behind their horses, ordering him to keep up behind them.

Liam couldn’t see where he was going. His eyes were swollen shut from the beating and from the tears of shame. The only thought of consolation was, It’s over.

Trudging along, dragging one foot in front of the other, his mind wandered back to how he had arrived here. How did he, a respected businessman and trader who loved his wife and family, ever get here? Of all people, he had

Reviews for Evermark

[danaburkey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First of all a big THANK YOU to the author for sending me a free PDF copy of this book to read for an honest review! I appreciate it!

This book was a surprise for me! I did not really read much about it going into the book, and since there were not a lot of people talking about it I was not sure if it was going to be something I would enjoy. But, in the end it was just what I needed to get out the reading slump I have been in! The author writes in a way that was engaging and entertaining, and I found myself reading non-stop as soon as I started!

When I was done with the book I was left wanting more, and that was when I saw that it was based on a true story! That has me wanting to read the whole thing over again! I think it was the moment I saw that little bit of information that it sunk in how well this book was done, and how excited I was to get to read an ARC of the e-book. Thanks again Annie for letting me read this book, and I cannot wait to see what you share with readers next!