Excerpt 2 from Alannah's story

     Alannah left her mother's sitting room determined to spend her free time finding out more about Sir Jeremy Moore. She knew her mother loved her deeply. If my mother believes Jeremy is worthy of me, then he’s probably a very good man. I just need to make sure my parents haven’t been deceived. I’m allowed to reject him is I discover that he’d make me miserable.

     He was home at his country estate for the next few months, and she planned to spy on him again. Jeremy will be on his best behavior at the social occasions in London where we’re supposed to meet. That simply won’t tell me what I want to know about him.

     It was a quiet evening, and Alannah had some time to herself. She took her horse and rode to Jeremy's estate. After tying her horse in the secluded woods at the edge of his property, she realized darkness was creeping over the woods. I’m taking such a foolish risk, but I can’t help myself.

     She crept over to the same window on the ground floor where light was again spilling out onto the shadowed lawn. Jeremy’s grandfather sat up in his bed, facing the window. Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her, helping the older man drink a cup of tea. His gentleness while wiping away tea that spilled down the older man's face made her heart swell. When the tea was gone, Jeremy set the cup on the tray next to the bed.

     "Grandfather, I collected the quarterly rent from your tenants over the last week. They have all done well; it’s been a good growing season. I decreased their rent to the more reasonable amount you wanted."

     His grandfather smiled widely at this.

     Jeremy went on to talk about the tenant's families. His grandfather didn’t seem to be able to speak. It seemed that Jeremy had learned to ask more questions or move on in the conversation based on looks of approval or disapproval that crossed his grandfather's face. He’s become very skilled at figuring out what his grandfather wants. His deep respect and love for the older gentleman was obvious to her as his grandfather taught kindness and good management to him.

     She crept away from the window, an unexpected feeling of happiness rising inside her. This time she was very cautious, and was not discovered sneaking around the Moore property.

     Over the next week, it was a struggle for her to sneak away and watch Jeremy, but she managed it several times. She observed him and the gentle way he treated his horses. She saw him forgive a debt that a desperate man could never repay. He's a good person. What will he think of me when he finds out who I am?