A Matter of Circumstance
by Michelle Deschenes
Genre:
Historical Romance
Historical Romance
It is 1816 and twenty-one-year-old Julianne Smith is anxious to depart
from her guardians’ luxurious household and set out on her own.
Even with all her grand ideas seemingly within reach, Julianne never
foresees the turn of events that are about to irrevocably transform
her life. Captain Charles Dorchester is a handsome, honourable man
with few worries now that the war is behind him. When fate leads him
to rescue the passengers of a stagecoach after it is robbed somewhere
between London and Birmingham, he has no idea that inside is a woman
with the power to turn his life upside down. As Julianne’s path
intertwines with his, neither can deny their attraction to each
other. But as a fierce passion and love blooms between them, Julianne
is left in the midst of an internal struggle that prompts betrayal,
fears, and consequences. In this historical romance, an independent
woman becomes embroiled in a passionate love affair with a military
captain that leads her to realize the influence of fate.
from her guardians’ luxurious household and set out on her own.
Even with all her grand ideas seemingly within reach, Julianne never
foresees the turn of events that are about to irrevocably transform
her life. Captain Charles Dorchester is a handsome, honourable man
with few worries now that the war is behind him. When fate leads him
to rescue the passengers of a stagecoach after it is robbed somewhere
between London and Birmingham, he has no idea that inside is a woman
with the power to turn his life upside down. As Julianne’s path
intertwines with his, neither can deny their attraction to each
other. But as a fierce passion and love blooms between them, Julianne
is left in the midst of an internal struggle that prompts betrayal,
fears, and consequences. In this historical romance, an independent
woman becomes embroiled in a passionate love affair with a military
captain that leads her to realize the influence of fate.
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Prologue
London,
1871
A
candle flickered on the bedside table, casting a glow about the dark
chamber.
The dim light outlined the old woman’s withered face and
wisps
of white hair. In a plain grey dress, she sat upon the edge of the
bed
where her husband lay so miserably frail and weak. His features
were
gaunt, and his skin was grey and translucent.
He
was dying.
It
had been days since he’d last uttered a word or had been the least
bit
coherent. To think death’s door could bring a strong and powerful
man
to such a state stood as a vivid reminder of how little power one
ultimately
had in the larger scheme of life.
Undeniably,
he had always been a man of great strength and
staunchly
set in his ways. Stubborn as an old mule, she used to say.
Though,
to be honest, she’d been no better. Indeed, their obstinacy and
determination
had very nearly cost them a lifetime together.
Her
eyes slid over her hands tightly clasped around his cold fingers.
At
one time her hands had been so beautiful and graceful. Now they
lay
stippled with liver spots and crooked from rheumatism that had
ailed
her for years.
Tears
rimmed her tired eyes as she squeezed his hand with a glimmer
of
hope that he’d awaken, turn to her, and assure her, as he always had,
that
everything would be fine.
However,
in her heart of hearts, she knew this time it would not be
so.
It simply hurt to breathe.
How
could it be that they were old? How could it be that their
lives
had passed them by so very quickly? With six children, fifteen
grandchildren,
and three great-grandchildren, they bore the evidence
of
a long, fruitful and extraordinary life. If only it did not have to come
to
an end.
She
supposed it selfish of her to think thusly. After all, not many
people
could claim such a wonderful and well-lived life as she and her
beloved.
Times were different now. There was a lost innocence in the
people
of this day, an innocence that had been so sweet and charming
in
its time was now seen as silly and frivolous. And she supposed it had
been.
However, it had been an endearing time to live and to love.
They’d
been blessed with a charmed life, filled with love and
happiness.
Not to say they’d not had their share of trials and tribulations.
Goodness
no. But somehow they had managed to make it through
together.
Smiling
down at her husband, she reminisced about the years gone
by
and contemplated how very extraordinary life could be. What an
enigma
it truly was and how a matter of circumstance could alter one’s
life
forever.
Michelle Deschenes is a new author in the historical fiction/romance genre, a
successful businesswoman and an entrepreneur living in Canada with
her husband, three children and their family dog, Lucky. Michelle
loves reading, writing, and pretty much anything that involves
creativity. She's also passionate about nature, and outdoor
adventures with her family and friends. Michelle is now hard at work
completing her 2nd book, coming out in early 2018!
successful businesswoman and an entrepreneur living in Canada with
her husband, three children and their family dog, Lucky. Michelle
loves reading, writing, and pretty much anything that involves
creativity. She's also passionate about nature, and outdoor
adventures with her family and friends. Michelle is now hard at work
completing her 2nd book, coming out in early 2018!
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!
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