About Reconstruction
by GS Wiley
43 pages
/ 18000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-441-0, 1-60370-441-8
Available file types - html. lit, pdf, prc
The second son of a noble family, James has retreated from his family's fall from favor, finding peace at his beloved abbey. When the abbey burns to the ground, James knows his life is in ruins, and he is forced to return to the genteel world his relations still inhabit under the reign of Henry VIII.
The one good thing about James' life outside his sanctuary is his love for Richard, who holds a dreaded high place in society. Richard's life is also torn apart, and threatens to separate the lovers as nothing else could. When James has the chance to run away to his abbey once more, things get even more difficult. Will James be able to discover what is truly important in his life?
Sample
My brother Thomas saved my life... He brought me into his home, clothed and fed me, and went beyond his brotherly, and Christian, duty in every way. Being Thomas, he naturally felt this gave him the right to dictate my actions.
"Lady Katharine Gervaise," he said to me later that evening, as we sat waiting for his wife and daughter to prepare for the banquet.
It was as if he were recommending I take the capon rather than the beef, so I replied, "Yes? What about her?" With the intention of being obstinate. We would be waiting for the ladies for a while, and nothing passes the time like a spirited discussion you've had many times before.
Thomas looked at me evenly. "I know you favored her company when we were last here. I have not heard that she has been betrothed over the winter."
"No." It didn't surprise me. Katharine and I met when she came to me at court one afternoon and said, "I was hoping to fill the position of Markham's mistress, but I see you have already secured the job." We had been friends ever since. She had a sharp wit and a sharper tongue, and she was very particular about whom she would allow her father to present as a suitor.
"She is a handsome woman," Thomas went on. "With a large dowry, but not so large she can set her sights much higher than us." And nearly anybody at court was higher than me, the younger brother of a minor nobleman with three daughters and a small fortune grower smaller all the time. "She will be getting desperate now she is twenty-two years old." This made Katharine ten years younger than I and nearly twenty years younger than Thomas.
"It is not possible for me to marry, Thomas."
"You are no longer under vows," he reminded me.
"A Benedictine is always a Benedictine." Although that was hardly what was keeping me from rushing into matrimony.
"You know Margaret and I have discussed it. The house in Hertfordshire will be yours on your marriage."
That was not the incentive Thomas seemed to believe it was. "Give the house to one of your girls. I would much rather see them married well than usurp their inheritance for my own gains."
"It is our duty," Thomas replied.
"You have done more than your duty by me, dear brother," I countered. "I could not possibly accept more."
Thomas looked at me. He glanced back, as if his wife and daughter may have appeared surreptitiously behind him, and lowered his voice. "Dallying with gentlemen will not assure your future."
I lowered my voice to match his. "I have no future, Thomas." The heretic king had assured that four years ago. "At least, let me enjoy the present."