An Unexpected Love Read online

  AN UNEXPECTED

  LOVE

  Books by

  Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

  BELLS OF LOWELL

  Daughter of the Loom • A Fragile Design

  These Tangled Threads

  LIGHTS OF LOWELL

  A Tapestry of Hope • A Love Woven True

  The Pattern of Her Heart

  THE BROADMOOR LEGACY

  A Daughter’s Inheritance

  An Unexpected Love

  A Surrendered Heart

  www.traciepeterson.com

  www.judithmccoymiller.com

  An Unexpected Love

  Copyright © 2008

  Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

  Cover design by John Hamilton Design

  Cover photography of 1000 Islands: Reprinted with permission from Ian Coristine’s

  book 1000 Islands, his fourth book of photography of the region.

  www.1000islandsphotoart.com

  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, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  Published by Bethany House Publishers

  11400 Hampshire Avenue South

  Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

  Bethany House Publishers is a division of

  Baker Pubishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this title.

  ISBN 978-0-7642-0365-7 (Hardcover)

  ISBN 978-0-7642-0589-7 (Paperback)

  Dedication

  To my cousin, Chris Hughes,

  a fine man who follows the Lord.

  —Judith Miller

  TRACIE PETERSON is the author of over seventy novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

  JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of which have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

  Table of Contents

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  1

  Friday, October 15, 1897

  Rochester, New York

  Eighteen-year-old Sophie Broadmoor speared her uncle Jonas with an angry glare. He cocked a brow, clearly surprised by her reaction. Nevertheless, he continued to drum his fingers on the walnut side table as though his impatient behavior would somehow cause his brother Quincy, who was also Sophie’s father, to arrive at Broadmoor Mansion’s front door. Sophie considered her uncle’s conduct annoying in the extreme. He appeared to be holding her accountable for her father’s tardy arrival. Well, she had more than enough faults of her own for which she must bear responsibility. She certainly didn’t intend to take the blame for her father’s breach of etiquette. Uncle Jonas might intimidate his own family, especially his daughter, Amanda, but he didn’t frighten her a bit.

  Ignoring her uncle’s reprimanding stare, Sophie nonchalantly fluffed the lace on her sleeve and turned toward her aunt Victoria. “If you’re tired of waiting for Father, I suggest we begin without him. He won’t care in the least. You know how he loses all sense of time when he’s helping some wayward soul at the Home for the Friendless.”

  Her aunt cast a quizzical look at her husband. “What do you think, Jonas? Shall we proceed without Quincy? The food will undoubtedly be cold if we wait much longer, and I know how you abhor a ruined meal.”

  The drumming cadence ceased, and using the chair arms, her uncle pushed himself upright and looked around the room. “Well? Let’s proceed to the dining room.”

  Sophie grasped her cousin Fanny by the arm. “He must believe we’re able to read his thoughts,” she whispered.

  Fanny giggled and offered her agreement. “Sometimes I wish we could. With Uncle Jonas, there’s no telling what he’s up to from one minute to the next. The ability to read his mind would prove useful, don’t you think?”

  “Oh yes! And it would drive him quite mad—not that I don’t already succeed in that regard.”

  Amanda tugged on Sophie’s sleeve. “Your behavior is decidedly unbecoming. What are you two whispering about?”

  The glow of the chandelier cast golden highlights in Sophie’s chocolate brown hair. “If it’s so unbecoming, why do you want to know, Cousin?” she teased, looping arms with Amanda. “We’re talking about reading your dear father’s thoughts. Wouldn’t that be a treat?”

  “I don’t know if I’d want to know everything that passes through Father’s mind, but it certainly would prove beneficial on some occasions.”

  The three of them entered the dining room, with Amanda and Fanny flanking Sophie. As usual, both of Amanda’s single brothers, George and Jefferson, had managed to avoid the Friday evening dinner. Sophie wished she knew their secret. None of their married siblings living there in Rochester were required to attend these tiresome Friday evening suppers, but Uncle Jonas expected—rather demanded—that his unmarried children, his nieces and nephews, and his brother Quincy, now a widower, all attend. Unless, of course, Uncle Jonas had other plans for himself that might interfere. Sophie always hoped for an interfering event on Friday nights, but she was disappointed more often than not.

  As far as Sophie was concerned, her uncle had devised the plan in order to keep his eye on the single women in the family, lest one of them stray and find a suitor he considered undesirable. However, his Friday evening suppers hadn’t deterred Fanny. Much to Uncle Jonas’s chagrin, she’d fallen in love with Michael Atwell, their former boatswain at Broadmoor Island. But with Michael off in search of gold somewhere in the Yukon and Grandfather’s death last year, poor Fanny had been relegated to living under Uncle Jonas’s roof until she attained her age of majority. Sophie didn’t envy either of her cousins living under this roof. Living in her father’s modest home was less than pleasing, but at least she could come and go as she desired. Her father was never around long enough to inquire into her whereabouts.

  Sophie feigned a pout and peered down the dining table. “Where are Jefferson and George this evening, Aunt Victoria? I do miss their company.”

  Her uncle snorted. “You miss their company? Or you wish you, too, could be absent?”

  “Jonas! Sophie was making a polite inquiry about her cousins. There’s no need to transfer your irritation upon those who are present and on time.”

  Her uncle grunted but didn’t apologize. Not that Sophie expected such an unlikely occurrence. Uncle Jonas seldom apologized and certainly never asked forgiveness for a breach of etiquette within his own family. Of late, however, Aunt Victoria had begun to take a more assertive stance with her husband—a fact that pleased Sophie very much.

  Jonas snapped his napkin and tucked it beneath his rather large paunch. “Where is supper, Victoria?”

  Though he likely hadn’t intended to shout, the
question was loud enough to bring the servants bustling from the kitchen. They’d obviously been waiting in the wings for Aunt Victoria’s signal. One of the servants placed a large serving dish, bearing two perfectly braised ducks garnished with pieces of turnip and carrot, in front of Uncle Jonas.

  Her uncle made great fanfare of slicing the duck and then sat down as though he’d accomplished a feat of great importance. He tugged on his vest and motioned for the servants to pass the side dishes. After offering a brief prayer of thanks, he sipped his water and cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make regarding your voyage to England, ladies.”

  Sophie audibly sighed. “Please don’t tell us you’re planning to extend our trip abroad. We’ve all agreed that England will be the limit of our travels.”

  Aunt Victoria closed her eyes and shook her head. “Please don’t interrupt your uncle. I’d like to hear his announcement.” She beamed at her husband. “Do go on, Jonas. What surprise have you planned for us?”

  He jabbed a piece of turnip and appeared to be contemplating whether he should speak or eat. Keeping his attention on his food, he said, “I’m afraid it will be impossible for me to escort you ladies to England.”

  The girls squealed with delight, but Sophie didn’t fail to note her aunt’s look of dismay. “No need to look so distraught, Aunt Victoria. We’ll have a wonderful time here in Rochester. None of us wanted to go to England anyway—not even you.”

  Her uncle clanked his fork on his plate. “I did not say the voyage was canceled, Sophie. I said that I would be unable to travel with you. Your passage has been booked, and I’ve arranged for an escort to take my place. You’ll be pleased to—”

  “But, Jonas, you promised,” Victoria interrupted. “The only reason I agreed to the trip was because you promised to make the journey with us. How could you go back on your word?”

  “Now, Victoria, there’s no need for histrionics over a small change in plans. A business matter of great importance requires my attention, and it will be impossible for me to be away from Rochester on your departure date. Without my attention to the business, there wouldn’t be sufficient funds for this family to live in the style to which they’ve become accustomed.” His smile failed to reach his eyes. “Isn’t that correct?”

  “Correct or not, I’m disappointed that you have broken your promise to me. I’ve already explained that I don’t believe it’s wise for me to travel alone with all three of the girls.”

  “Once my business is concluded here in Rochester, I’ll join you in England. As I attempted to tell you a few moments ago, I have arranged for an escort to take my place,” Jonas said.

  Sophie could barely contain herself. Whom had Uncle Jonas convinced to make the journey? She waited for Aunt Victoria to inquire, but her aunt remained silent, her lips pressed together in a tight seam. And Uncle Jonas suddenly appeared more concerned with chasing a piece of duck around his plate than divulging the information.

  When she could bear the suspense no longer, Sophie blurted, “Well, who is it you’ve convinced to escort us?”

  “Yes, who?” Amanda asked.

  Instead of speaking out with his usual pomp and ceremony, Jonas stared at his plate. “Daniel.”

  Fanny clutched her bodice. “Daniel? Daniel Irwin?” She tipped her head to the side until her hair nearly touched her dinner plate. Obviously Fanny was intent upon making eye contact with Uncle Jonas.

  Uncle Jonas raised his head and glanced around the table. He appeared to have regained his air of authority. “Do you ladies know any other Daniel?”

  Sophie extended her index finger. “I do, but I doubt he’s the one.”

  Her uncle’s jaw tightened. “Not if he’s one of those men you meet at Brown Square.”

  Sophie giggled, pleased she’d been able to annoy her uncle yet somewhat surprised by this change in circumstances. Had she been forced to speculate upon whom her uncle had chosen as their escort, Daniel wouldn’t have made the list of possibilities. And from all appearances he wouldn’t have made Aunt Victoria’s list, either. Poor Fanny looked as though she’d suffered a striking blow to the midsection. Only Amanda remained poised and unruffled by the announcement.

  “Why in the world would you ask Daniel Irwin?” Fanny croaked the question and immediately took a sip of water. “He’s not a member of the family. In fact, he’s rather a nuisance, isn’t he, Amanda?”

  Amanda glanced at Fanny and then her father. Sophie poked her in the ribs, hoping that Amanda would find the courage to take a stand. “ ’Tis true he’s wearisome, Father. I do think you could have made a better choice.”

  “Since when do you think you’re the one making family decisions, young woman?” He glared down the table, and Amanda visibly shrunk before Sophie’s eyes.

  “She’s merely speaking her opinion, Uncle, and all of us concur. We are permitted an opinion in this family, are we not?”

  Jonas shook his head. “Your manners leave much to be improved upon, Sophie. I did not seek any opinions on this decision. Daniel’s passage is booked, and I have every confidence he will prove to be a perfect escort.”

  Sophie planned to argue the point, but before she could wage battle, one of the servants escorted her father into the room, with Paul Medford following close on his heels.

  “My apologies, Victoria. I truly lost all track of time.” He gestured toward the table. “Please, go on with your supper. Paul and I can wait in the library.”

  Clearly annoyed, Jonas pointed to one of the empty chairs. “Oh, do sit down, Quincy. You were invited for supper and supper you’ll eat.” When Paul remained in the doorway, Jonas waved him forward. “You, too, Paul. Sit down and eat.”

  All concern over Daniel Irwin fled Sophie’s mind. Why had her father appeared with Paul Medford in tow? It seemed her father couldn’t make an appearance at any family function without his favorite seminary graduate tagging along like a stray mongrel.

  Her father offered his profuse apologies until Aunt Victoria finally begged him to cease. “All is forgiven, Quincy. As you can see, we didn’t wait for your arrival. Sophie suggested we begin without you.”

  Her father cast a fleeting smile in Sophie’s direction. “I fear she knows me well.”

  The servants returned with the serving bowls and platters and silently waited while the two men filled their plates. Quincy took several bites of the vegetables and duck. He nodded his approval. “Excellent as usual, Victoria.” He downed a gulp of water from his goblet. “I need a favor, Jonas.”

  Jonas peered over the rim of his coffee cup.

  “Paul received word today that his grandmother is quite ill— not expected to live much longer. He believes he should accompany his mother back to England,” Quincy said. “I told him it might be possible for you to book passage for the two of them to travel with you and Victoria and the girls. I explained they would be departing on the twenty-third.”

  Jonas grunted. “Exactly right. I had originally planned the departure for the eighteenth of the month, but Victoria was quick to remind me that most of the luxury liners sail on Saturdays. My wife tends to suffer from motion sickness when she travels on the smaller ships.” He patted his wife’s hand. “Is that date acceptable for you and your mother, Paul?”

  Paul leaned forward on his chair. “Yes, most acceptable. It would help Mother keep her mind off Grandmother’s illness if she had someone to visit with other than me. I fear my presence on the ship will serve as a constant reminder of the reason we’re crossing the ocean. Your wife and the young ladies could provide a diversion.”

  Jonas nodded his agreement. “I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning.” He beamed at his wife. “You see, my dear, this has worked out quite well after all. You’ll have someone to keep you company throughout the voyage.”

  Confusion clouded her father’s eyes, and Sophie hastened to relay the news that Uncle Jonas would not accompany them on the voyage.

  “What business is it that ties you to Ro
chester, Jonas? If it’s something I could help with, I’d be pleased to lend my assistance. You could then continue with your plan to accompany Victoria.”

  Jonas vigorously shook his head. “No, nothing you’d be able to assist with, but I do appreciate the offer, Quincy. However, having Paul and his mother along will prove most beneficial, don’t you ladies agree?”

  Aunt Victoria didn’t appear persuaded, and nothing her father or Uncle Jonas said or did would convince Sophie, either. Paul Medford’s presence on board the ship would spoil all of her fun!

  The three girls escaped the confines of the house the moment they were excused from the dinner table. With a promise to remain on the grounds, they donned their cloaks and strolled to the terrace garden, where privacy awaited them. Even as young girls, they’d enjoyed sitting in the loggia with its towering Greek columns that permitted a view of anyone approaching yet afforded a feeling of privacy—thanks in large part to the grapevines that provided an overhead blanket of leaves and luscious treats when in season.

  “I don’t know which of our fathers has become the more devious, Amanda.” Sophie stood on one of the ornate benches and yanked a withered leaf from one of the sagging vines. “I cannot believe I’ll be forced to endure Paul Medford throughout the voyage. You can be certain he’ll attempt to quash all our fun. And I can only imagine his mother—a stern and prudish old woman with a constant frown.” Sophie shuddered.

  The breeze tugged at the corner of Amanda’s cape, and she pulled it close to her body. “I believe Paul’s circumstances are purely coincidental. Besides, I’ve never known you to permit anyone to ruin your good time. I predict you’ll find some way to avoid him.”

  “And let’s don’t forget that Paul’s mother will provide company for Aunt Victoria,” Fanny added. “However, I do think Daniel Irwin’s presence can be attributed to Uncle Jonas and his devious scheming.” Fanny squeezed Amanda’s arm. “I’m sorry if you find my words harsh, Amanda.”

  “No need for apologies, Fanny. I’ve heard much worse. I doubt there’s any member of the family who hasn’t criticized Father at some point—including me. And, unfortunately, I believe you’re correct about Daniel. He is an odd choice. Father barely knows him, and he’s not so much older than the three of us. If he merely wanted a young male escort, he could have easily ordered Jefferson or George to come along.”