The Proposal
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota
Cover photos © Dugan Design Group; Stockbyte Photography / Veer; Ian Shaw / Alamy
THE PROPOSAL
Copyright © 2002 by Lori Wick
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-2529-7
Library of Congress has cataloged the edition as follows:
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wick, Lori.
The proposal / Lori Wick.
p. cm. — (The English garden series)
ISBN 978-0-7369-0558-9
1. Guardian and ward—Fiction. 2. Orphans—Fiction. 3. England—Fiction. I. Title.
II. Series
PS3573.I237 P77 2002
813'.54—dc21
2001039812
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 / RDM-VS / 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Todd and Becki Barsness.
You’ve worked hard, and we have been blessed.
You’ve shared yourselves and your life with the
church family, and we’ve grown richer.
This dedication comes with my love.
God bless you both.
Table of Contents
The first book in a new series! I’m so excited. I fell in love with this time period in England’s history while watching some of my favorite Jane Austen films. I returned to England with my husband and a friend, able to look at that old place with new eyes. Since that time the stories in my mind have come alive for me. I hope you enjoy this first volume, and also enjoy reading about the people I need to thank.
—
Julie McKinney.
I couldn’t have done this without you.
Thank you for a trip we will never forget. I love your enthusiasm for my work and that delighted sparkle that fills your eyes. Thank you for the family name.
—Shelly Alilunas.
Thank you for all your help on the home front, especially when we were so many miles apart. You were a real lifesaver. The information has been so valuable. Also, thank you for launching me into finding the Internet for myself.
—Ian, Steve, and Steve.
It was wonderful meeting you and talking to you about England. I’m not sure if my England looks exactly like the real one, but I still hope the people there who have a chance to read my books will enjoy this series. Thank you for all you do to promote my work.
—
Tim, Matt, and Abby Wick.
Thanks for one of the best summers we’ve ever had. After you all worked so hard, we had more time to play. Never forget how much I love you, or how huge our God is.
—My Bob.
Thank you for going to England with me. You made it so fun and special. I’m going to go back to England again sometime. It’s simply lovely knowing you’ll go with me. Actually, it’s simply lovely having you with me every day.
Tipton
Collingbourne, England
April 1810
Seated in the north sitting room, her letters in her lap, Lydia Palmer read the missive in her hand one more time before looking across the room at her husband. He was studying the daily news, but only a moment passed before he glanced her way.
“What is it, love?” he asked kindly. Frank Palmer was always kind.
“My cousin has died.”
Mr Palmer frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I must admit I didn’t think you had any cousins left.”
“Godwin Jennings. He lives near Bristol, or should I say ‘lived.’ It was not a close relationship, but he was family.”
“I know who you’re talking about,” he said as light dawned. “Who contacted you, by the way?”
“His solicitor,” Lydia said, her eyes going back to the official letter.
“And did Mr Jennings have children?”
“Yes. Three of them.” Lydia chewed her lip a moment. “I wonder where they’ll end up.”
“I was wondering that myself. You have so little family of any kind left.”
For a moment, Mr and Mrs Palmer were quiet. A few seconds later, however, their eyes met, both faces showing some shock.
“No, Frank. It couldn’t be.”
“I don’t know who else, Liddy. Your brother is the only male heir left in your family.”
“But three children, Frank? You know how William Jennings enjoys his independence.”
Mr Palmer shrugged. “I’m just stating the need, Lydia. Unless you’re hiding someone that I don’t know about, by law Jennings would be responsible for Godwin’s children.”
Lydia shook her head. “It’s too fantastic to be real. Jennings barely tolerates women. I can’t think he would have any more interest in children.”
“Well, he wouldn’t have to love them—just support them.”
The room grew quiet again, only the ticking of the mantel clock making itself known.
“Will you write him?” Mr Palmer asked.
“Jennings? I don’t think so. He hasn’t acknowledged a single one of my letters in seven years.”
“But you don’t write to him so that he’ll answer, Lydia. You write so he’ll know you still love him.”
Lydia took the gentle rebuke in good grace. Even before reading the letter in her hand one last time, she determined to write her brother by the end of the week.
Aydon
London, England
May 1810
“And where did you say this was?” Mr Collins asked as he frowned fiercely at the new help, a young man who was now sweating from every pore of his body.
“It was on the floor in the back hall, Mr Collins.”
“The postmark on this letter is five days past. How could it have been missed in the hall all these days?”
“I don’t know, sir. Betsy just gave it to me.”
“Who is Betsy?”
“We were hired at the same time, sir. I believe she works upstairs.”
Mr Collins’ eyes narrowed with even more danger.
“Mr Jennings will hear of this. You may be discharged.”
“Yes, sir.”
The crushed but humble face of the young man before him softened Mr Collins’ heart a bit. He continued more kindly, “As you know, Mr Jennings is out for the evening. He probably won’t receive this until morning. If I can put a word in for you, I will, but know this, young Geoffrey, it will not happen again.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“You are dismissed.”
As Geoffrey walked away, Mr Collins, long in the employ of Mr William Jennings, stood thinking about his next move. He had several options and after just a moment’s deliberation, took the second one and turned to locate Bates, Mr Jennings’ man. It didn’t take long. He ran him to earth in the servants’ dining area, where he sat with a cup of tea and the day’s post.
“This just surfaced,” Mr Collins informed him, setting the letter on the table.
“It’s five days old,” Bates responded with a frown.
“Precisely. Do I tell him tonight?”
Bates looked up at his old friend and smiled wryly.
“You forget, Collins, that when he returns from Lady Wendt’s dinner, we won’t be doing anything tonight but keeping the house quiet.”
Mr Collins had a smile to match his friend’s before leaving to secure the letter on his desk, knowing he would have to face his employer come morning.
