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    The Tenth Suitor
    The Tenth Suitor
    The Tenth Suitor
    Ebook77 pages47 minutes

    The Tenth Suitor

    By Laura Strickland

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    About this ebook

    When Edwina’s father invites ten titled lords to spend Christmas at his medieval estate so Edwina may choose one for a husband, she finds the idea romantic. She dreams of gazing into the eyes of one of her suitors and falling deeply in love. But it soon becomes apparent the lords in question are far more interested in gaining her father’s estate than Edwina’s hand. Thorstan’s in attendance, but he hasn’t been invited, and he’s no lord. A former mercenary, he’s come disguised as a jester to get near Edwina, long adored from afar. Edwina quickly falls for his charm and quirky humor even though she fears her father will never approve of a commoner for her husband. But when Edwina is abducted, only Thorstan—a skilled swordsman—has hope of rescuing her in time for the promised Christmas wedding.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThe Wild Rose Press
    Release dateNov 3, 2014
    ISBN9781628304817
    The Tenth Suitor
    Author

    Laura Strickland

    Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. Embracing her mother's heritage, she pursued a lifelong interest in Celtic lore, legend and music, all reflected in her writing. She has made pilgrimages to both Newfoundland and Scotland in the company of her daughter, but is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario, with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. She practices gratitude every day.

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      Book preview

      The Tenth Suitor - Laura Strickland

      Inc.

      Praise for Laura Strickland

      The imagery is beautiful, the world building is phenomenal, and the descriptions…are extraordinary. You will undoubtedly wish you could walk barefoot through her rejuvenating soil for just a moment and feel the connection to the beautiful repertoire of souls she harbors within her midst.

      ~Daysie W. at My Book Addiction and More

      Laura Strickland creates a world that not only draws you in, but she incorporates it…seamlessly…. Throw in a love triangle that has you flipping the pages, and you have the kind of book that keeps you awake well into the wee hours, and sighing with satisfaction when you've finished the very last page.

      ~Nicole McCaffrey, author

      As I read I became so involved with the story, I found it difficult to put down the book.… Definitely a series and an author to watch.

      ~Dandelion at Long & Short Reviews, (5 Stars)

      ~*~

      Other Books by Laura Strickland

      DEVIL BLACK

      MRS. CLAUS AND THE VIKING SHIP

      and

      The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy:

      DAUGHTER OF SHERWOOD

      CHAMPION OF SHERWOOD

      LORD OF SHERWOOD

      All are available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

      The Tenth Suitor

      by

      Laura Strickland

      Twelve Brides of Christmas Series

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

      The Tenth Suitor

      COPYRIGHT © 2014 by Laura Strickland

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

      Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com

      Cover Art by Diana Carlile

      The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

      PO Box 708

      Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

      Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

      Publishing History

      First English Tea Rose Edition, 2014

      Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-481-7

      Twelve Brides of Christmas Series

      Published in the United States of America

      Chapter One

      North Yorkshire, England, December 1554

      Ten lords, all vying for my hand in marriage, Edwina said gloomily to her cousin, Gertrude. Somehow I thought ’twould be much more exciting.

      She looked out over her father’s hall from her place at the head table on the dais. Feasting, drinking, and revelry reigned supreme, as they had for the last fortnight, ever since her erstwhile suitors began arriving in answer to her father’s invitations. Each day and evening had been full of noise, merriment, and mayhem. How could mayhem turn so swiftly into boredom?

      Nine lords, in truth, Gertrude returned ruefully. Do not forget one has, as yet, failed to arrive.

      How could I forget? Edwina shrugged, and her thick braid of golden hair slid over one shoulder. I scarcely know what is worse, these nine empty-headed nobles fawning about the place, or knowing there is one who could not even be bothered to show himself.

      Her gray-blue eyes narrowed as she watched two of her suitors at the far side of the hall draw their swords and begin sparring together. That kind of thing happened so often it no longer even turned a head. So far, though a bit of blood had been drawn, no one had been slain.

      Unfortunately. It would be nice to reduce the number down to at most eight.

      Gertrude, secure in her own happy marriage last fall and with her first babe safe beneath her kirtle, gave a chiding smile.

      Why did you agree to all this, if you are so set against it?

      "I did not agree to all this. Edwina waved an eloquent hand. It sounded well enough when Father proposed the idea." It had, in fact, sounded like something from one of the ancient tales Edwina’s nurse used to spout: the beautiful princess whose suitors must perform impossible tasks in order to win her favor. All of them invariably failed save one, and to him the princess gave her heart.

      Aye, the idea had seemed wonderfully romantic when her father declared he’d sent missives to ten carefully chosen lords from the north riding and beyond. They would come for an extended Christmas feast and demonstrate their worth.

      It had, however, proved anything but romantic. For it soon became evident Edwina’s suitors were eager to win not her favor but her father’s, and along with that his vast and wealthy holding, which would be settled upon Edwina—his only surviving child—upon his death.

      Edwina sighed and propped her chin on one hand. Unlike the princesses in the tales, she was no beauty—too tall, too big-boned, and showing all too clearly her Viking heritage and peasant ancestry. Her father had been a common man, once, who married for love and then set out to gain his wealth by benefit of hard work, diligence, and sharp bargaining. Now, though, he wanted to see his family elevated—through Edwina’s marriage to one of these lords.

      The good God save me.

      My father has surely lost his senses, she murmured, and turned her gaze toward her parents, who stood in conversation with one of the lords—she thought he might be called Ronald of Coldwell, but she could well be mistaken. No matter how hard she tried, she could not remember all their names. To be sure, at the start she had tried. She had tucked names and faces into her memory as she met each new arrival. But for the life of her she could no longer keep them straight.

      "Why

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