Loving an American Spy: Marsden Descendants, #3

Loving an American Spy Copyright © 2019 by Dawn Brower

All rights reserved.

Cover art and edits by Victoria Miller

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

"Our doubts are traitors,

and make us lose the good we oft might win,

by fearing to attempt."

William Shakespeare

Loving an American Spy

Marsden Descendants Book Three

Dawn Brower

Monarchal Glenn Press

Contents

I. War

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

II. Post War

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

About The Author

Also by Dawn Brower

Afterword

Dawn Brower

Excerpt: How to Kiss a Debutante

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Dawn Brower

Excerpt: Confessions of a Hellion

Prologue

Part I

War

Chapter 1

January 1915

The whistle from the train echoed through the terminal. Victoria Grant glanced up from a nearby bench as the sound brought her from her thoughts. She’d arrived at the train station early so she wouldn’t miss her train taking her to a small town in France. From there, she’d travel with a regiment to a field hospital where she’d been assigned to work as a nurse.

Her train rolled into the station and came to a halt near the platform. Steam rolled from the chimney at the top of the engine. Passengers began to disembark in quick succession. Victoria couldn’t board for several more minutes. The train attendant would signal when they were able to board. Porters were already unloading luggage for leaving passengers. Soon they’d start putting the new bags in place of them.

Victoria stood and paced near the station. She didn’t have much in the way of belongings. As a nurse, she didn’t need much. She had one trunk with her uniforms and what little personal items she had left. Growing up as the daughter of a vicar, she’d been taught to denounce anything that led to avariciousness. She took those lessons to heart and carved out a life that would help those in need. With the Great War ravaging the world, women like her were a necessity. She’d use her nursing skills to save those she could, and she couldn’t wait to be of service to the cause.

She continued to pace and walked straight into a hard, male chest. Victoria glanced up and met the man’s gaze. His blue eyes were so dark they were almost black, and his hair shimmered like caramel drizzled with honey. My apologies, she said and stepped back

It’s my fault, he said in an American accent—Southern if she was not mistaken. That took her a bit by surprise. There were not a lot of Americans in France since the war had broken out. The last she’d heard, they were trying to stay neutral regarding the massive conflict. I should have been paying better attention. His lips tilted upward into a blinding smile. It knocked the senses out of her, momentarily stunning her.

Victoria shook her head, briefly regaining her equilibrium. Are you bound for Northern France? That seemed like a normal enough question but she still felt silly asking it.

He glanced past her at the train and then back at her. I am. He lifted a brow. Are you?

She nodded quickly. This conversation was strange. Victoria had never been good at talking with, well, anyone. A man though… That was a feat that often proved nearly impossible. She didn’t know why but men always flummoxed her, and she made a bumbling mess of any conversation or interaction. Yes, um, yes. She sounded like a bloody fool. He would make an excuse to leave the conversation soon. Most men had trouble talking to her as much as she found it difficult to discuss anything with them other than important medical matters.

He chuckled softly. Then I look forward to making the journey with you. Was he serious? She scrunched her eyebrows together and studied him. Perhaps he found it entertaining to mock people. She didn’t want to question it much. She wasn’t acquainted with this man, and she probably never would be.

One of the train attendants stepped out and yelled, All aboard.

Passengers moved forward and started boarding. Victoria headed toward the train and followed behind another group of people. She didn’t have a private car or even a sleeping car to hide in from the crowd. Victoria was stuck sitting with everyone else on the passenger car. At least the trip shouldn’t be too long. She moved down the aisle and found a seat near the window. That should give her something to distract herself with on the journey.

We meet again, the man said as he sat next to her. You must forgive my horrible manners. He held his hand to his chest. I should have introduced myself. I’m William.

Victoria stared at him, uncertain what she should do next… He was a charmer. Victoria couldn’t help returning his welcoming grin. Victoria, she said after a few moments of awkward silence.

It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Victoria. I’m glad I’ll get the pleasure of spending this trip with you. He sounded sincere, but she had a hard time imaging he actually wanted to hold a conversation with her.

Perhaps she’d enjoy his company. She hated traveling, and having someone interesting to help her forget for a little while might do her good. Besides, having William to keep her company might prove interesting. What shall we discuss?

Whatever we want to, William replied as he settled back into his seat. Tell me a little about yourself.

There wasn’t much to tell, and her life was boring. I’d much rather hear about you… She didn’t want to put him to sleep with the tediousness of her life.

That’s what all the pretty ladies say, he murmured the statement and then winked at her. Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t accustomed to attention from a man, and it flustered her a little that this one bothered. How about something neutral? Tell me what your favorite flower is.

Victoria leaned back in her seat and thought about his question. No one had ever asked her what her favorite anything was. Flowers were beautiful, and she liked them all. I suppose, if I have to pick a favorite, I’d say violets. They’re resilient and have wonderful healing properties.

He shook his head. You’re no ordinary lady, are you?

I like to think I’m unremarkable, she said. The more they talked, she started to wonder if he was flirting with her. No man had ever bothered before, and she wasn’t certain how to tell. Surely she was reading him wrong… I have a purpose and a duty. Everything else doesn’t matter.

That’s a little…serious, he said in a somber tone that didn’t reflect back in his eyes. I suppose that is where we are in the world now. We all are forced to adapt because of the tone a war sets.

Yes, she agreed. It is unfortunate, but we must do our best with what life throws our way.

Victoria liked William. He was nice and unpretentious. She couldn’t help wishing she’d met him at a different juncture in her life. One that wasn’t about to be overtaken by the destruction of war… She was deluding herself though. In another time and place, it wouldn’t matter one iota. William probably would not have noticed her, and it was far more likely they’d never have met in the first place.

I suppose that is true, he agreed. War is very unfortunate. It’s too bad that the higher-ups couldn’t have found a better way to resolve their differences. But here we are… He smiled softly. I can’t help being glad for one thing at least.

What’s that? she asked, almost afraid of the answer.

It led me to you.

He was smooth. Victoria would give him that much. She returned his smile. I find I cannot argue with your logic. She sat back in her seat and relaxed. Let’s not waste this opportunity then. We may never have the chance to become more acquainted. Do you feel up to opening yourself to me?

If you’re brave enough, then who am I to cower in fear. He grinned. Do your worst, my dear.

They talked for the entire trip as if they’d known each other their whole lives. William was the first man she’d met that she felt completely comfortable with. It saddened her that, after they reached the train station, they’d go their separate ways and never see each other again. She longed for something more than the banal existence she’d lived. Meeting William had altered her in ways she never thought possible. Excitement and joy seemed possible where it had seemed nothing but fantasy before. Perhaps she was being a little absurd, but she felt as if she might have something more now. Maybe not with William, but with someone… Though, in her heart of hearts, she hoped William would be in her life forever. There was something special about him that she wanted to hold on to.