The Spurned Mail Order Bride: Love-Inspired Sweet Historical Western Mail Order Bride Romance: Brides for the Chauncey Brothers, #3

By Amanda Davis

Jasper Chauncey has finally found a bride to be in the matrimonial columns.

 

While anxiously awaiting her arrival, his well-laid plans go awry as an auburn-haired spitfire captures his heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Pines Sweet Romance
• Release date: Sep 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215945346

Book preview

PROLOGUE

San Bernardino, California

February 12 th, 1873

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My dearest Julia,

Despite having only exchanged one letter with you, I feel as though you and I may have much in common already. Perhaps I sensed it from the moment I caught your ad in the matrimonial columns but you seem to be a dream already. I hope to learn more about your family, your sister, and your father. I am sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. Our parents passed eight years ago and we immediately moved west. I imagine it must be difficult living in a household where there is a constant reminder of what you have lost and I understand why you feel the need to leave Virginia and move west. Change is difficult but necessary sometimes.

As I have mentioned in my previous correspondence, our land is plentiful and our home agreeable. We are growing as a family, my brothers, Richard and Oliver married and Victoria, Richard’s wife, is with child. I might add that they found their spouses in the very same manner—through the matrimonial columns also. Their luck had inspired me to find a companion of my own, their happiness most infectious.

I do hope that does not alarm you for both Victoria and Esme, Oliver’s new bride, are kind women who will welcome any wife I choose with open arms and hearts. I daresay that the Chauncey men have good taste and God most certainly smiles upon us.

It remains only myself and my oldest brother, Evan, who are without wives to speak of but I do hope to rectify this situation sooner rather than later. It was our parents’ wish that our family own land and we have seen to it that our farm is fruitful. Yet, what good are such blessings without a second generation to whom we might bequeath our shares?

I have enclosed a photograph, recently captured of myself and my family. I wonder if you can guess which one I am although I hope I am easy to spot given what you have learned of me.

Anxiously awaiting your response,

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Jasper Chauncey

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Richmond, Virginia

March 31 st, 1873

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Dear Jasper,

I thank you for your letter. It came at a moment when I had prayed to God for a friend and He answered by way of your note in the post that very day. Matters have become rather troublesome in our household. I fear my father has begun to court a woman who holds a low status, a matter which does not much affect me for I, perhaps foolishly, believe love conquers standing. My sister, Madeline, however, finds this offensive and has made no secret of her desire to sabotage their romance.

Maddy makes unscrupulous plans, before the children no less, to separate Papa from Anabelle. I have implored her to mind her own matters but she seems not to hear me and instead leaves me in charge of the young ones as she schemes in secret. I do not mind watching the children, as being their aunt is my pride, but there are four of them, all boys, and they can cause quite a ruckus when the lot are home from their schooling. The youngest is but two and has a set of lungs that do not cease when he does not get his way. I daresay that Gregory, their father, spoils them but his heart is pure and his intentions good.

I beg you not to think me ungrateful but I find the tension in this house nearly unbearable, despite our decent wealth and status. I have tried to forewarn my father of my sister’s ploys but he mocks them and assures me that there is little either can do to keep him from Anabelle. I would like to share in his optimism but I find myself unable to sleep at night knowing that Maddy has sinister thoughts in her mind.

Regardless of the outcome, I am finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the peace in this home but I have little other option but to hope it passes. I can only hope that Maddy’s ideas do not include violence but I do not have much faith in her ability to keep her wits about her. She is decidedly impulsive and quite vindictive. I confess, she has instilled fear in me on more than one occasion.

Forgive me for unloading my woes upon your shoulders. I feel as though we have known one another much longer than our letters indicate by date. Your disposition speaks to me through the words you write and I eagerly await another passage from you.

Thank you for the photograph. I daresay that without it, I would still know you were I to see you walking down the streets of town, your dashing smile catching. I, too, have enclosed a photograph for you. I hope you are not disappointed.

Know I think of you every day.

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With fondness,

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Julia Easterly

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San Bernardino, California

May 2 nd, 1873

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My Dearest,

I hope this letter finds you well and in a happier position than my last. I am troubled to hear that you find life at home so uncomfortable and I pray for your family daily. Like you, I believe that true affections will prevail in the matter of your father and his new companion. I regret that you feel so overwhelmed in your position which is why I feel you should come to San Bernardino as quickly as possible.

I realize that this may take some time on your part, seeing as you must inform your family of such a drastic move. You had mentioned that you did not yet tell them of your plans to seek a husband in the west. I wait patiently for your response so I may send you a ticket and arrange to have you met at the train station upon your arrival.

Perhaps you will be here in time for the birth of my first nephew (or perhaps you would prefer the child be a girl given your experience with young boys). In any case, I know Victoria will benefit greatly from your help and I am eager to see your lovely face firsthand. The photograph does depict a comely woman, but I cannot gauge the color of your eyes. I am guessing, from the fairness of your coloring, that they are a lovely, pale blue.

Please do respond at your earliest convenience and know I will send for you at once so we might marry.

I, again, await your reply anxiously.

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With much affection,

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Jasper Chauncey

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Richmond, Virginia

June 13 th, 1873

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Dearest Jasper,

I pen this with trembling hands as I accept your proposal wholeheartedly. I will be a faithful, dutiful wife, I vow it to God.

As you mentioned in your last letter, I will need some days to prepare my family for such a move. I had no sooner begun to correspond with you when Maddy happened upon me reading one of your letters. She seems to have become mad with vindictiveness. My father has shown no interest in releasing Anabelle from his sights and that fact has incensed Maddy.

To his credit, Gregory has been attempting to dissuade Maddy from any further sabotage attempts on Papa and his bride-to-be, yet Maddy remains relentless. In truth, I feel sad for my brother-in-law. He seems, for the first time, to realize how unstable my sister is when fueled by anger. I feel somewhat guilty leaving him alone with the children when his wife is in such a state but I cannot go on like this.

I will write again as to when you might send for me. I do not anticipate it being more than a fortnight for me to have my affairs in order. You may expect a letter in due time.

I very much look forward to being your wife, Jasper Chauncey, and leaving this heavy household once and for all, hopefully before more tragedy befalls us. I feel as if I have endured enough already for two lifetimes.

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With Much Affection,

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Julia Easterly

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P.S. – I do not wish to ruin the surprise but my eyes are as blue as I imagine yours to be. Soon, albeit not soon enough, we will know for certain.

1

JULIA

A gentle rap at the bedroom door caused Julia to turn away from her writing desk. Her heart was still racing from what had happened downstairs in the parlor, her mind penetrated with the image of her family’s shocked faces when she had told them she was leaving not only the house but Virginia to be wed.

Who will watch the children? was Maddy’s first concern. It was unsurprising. Madeline had always been arrogant and self-centered. Still, the words did not sting any less when they met Julia’s ears.

You have given us little opportunity to plan for such a disaster. Papa, you must tell her she cannot see this through! Julia half-expected to see her sister, a woman of eight and twenty, stomp her foot with disgust. It was precisely the childish behavior everyone had come to expect of Madeline.

Julia’s father, Peter Easterly snorted, unmoved by Madeline’s plight.

I would say you have no business meddling in any martial affairs but your own, Madeline. Of course I know that will fall on deaf ears.

Peter quickly dismissed Madeline’s theatrics. Instead, he turned to his youngest daughter and smiled warmly, but the expression did not quite meet his eyes.

Congratulations, my dear. I look forward to meeting the young man. What is his name?

Maddy’s burning blue eyes and Gregory’s shocked gaze did not escape