a beauty so rare

8132019 A Beauty So Rare

httpslidepdfcomreaderfulla-beauty-so-rare 147



Praise for Tamerarsquos Novels

ldquoo put it simply Tis book is a ull-on HIrdquo

mdashUSA oday about A Lasting Impression

ldquoamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytellingand history peopled with living breathing characters who made me

laugh and cry Better than sweet tea on a veranda A Lasting Impres-sion is a winner I want to live at Belmontrdquo

mdashFrancine Rivers New York imes best-selling authoro Redeeming Love about A Lasting Impression

ldquo amera Alexander crafs a pleasing and well-written romance that isfilled with adventure and intrigue Subtly weaving in the main char-

acterrsquos steadast aith in God the book is ull o aith and ull o lieReaders who enjoy romantic novels but also want to eel inspired will

definitely enjoy this satisying readrdquo

mdashPublishers Weekly about Within My Heart

ldquoamera Alexander paints vivid scenes not with oils on canvas but

with words on the page as she sweeps us away to the caeacutes o NewOrleans and the hills o ennessee In Claire Laurent we find a true

artist ever doubting her talents ever questioning her calling And inSutton Monroe we meet a hero whose bright mind is eclipsed only byhis tender heart A lovely story sure to please anyone who treasures

a good romancerdquo

mdashLiz Curtis Higgs New York imes bestselling authoro Mine Is the Night about A Lasting Impression

ldquo Rich in period details and set in Nashvillersquos historic Belmont Mansionthis historical romance by RIA and Christy Award winner Alexander

is a sure bet rdquo

mdashLibrary Journal Review about A Lasting Impression



Books by amera Alexander

A B983141983148983149983151983150983156 M983137983150983155983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148

A Lasting Impression

A Beauty So Rare

F983151983157983150983156983137983145983150 C983154983141983141983147 C983144983154983151983150983145983139983148983141983155

Rekindled

Revealed

Remembered

983145983149983138983141983154 R983145983140983143983141 R983141983142983148983141983139983156983145983151983150983155

From a Distance

Beyond Tis Moment

Within My Heart

W983151983149983141983150 983151983142 F983137983145983156983144 F983145983139983156983145983151983150

Te Inheritance

A B983141983148983148983141 M983141983137983140983141 P983148983137983150983156983137983156983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148

o Whisper Her Name



A B E L M O N T M A N S I O N N O V E L bull 2

A Beauty So Rare

983124AMERA

ALEXANDER

5



copy 2014 by amera Alexander

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington Minnesota 55438

wwwbethanyhousecom

Bethany House Publishers is a division o

Baker Publishing Group Grand Rapids Michigan

Printed in the United States o America

All rights reserved No part o this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval

system or transmitted in any orm or by any meansmdashor example electronic photocopy

recordingmdashwithout the prior written permission o the publisher Te only exception is

brie quotations in printed reviews

Library o Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Alexander ameraA beauty so rare amera Alexander

p cm mdash (A Belmont Mansion novel)

Summary Eleanors practical plans or the new home or Civil War widows

and orphans at Belmont Mansion in Nashville conflict with architect Marcus

artistic vision Will they ever manage to find common groundmdash Provided by

publisher

ISBN 978-0-7642-0623-8 (pbk)

1 ArchitectsmdashennesseemdashHistorymdash19th centurymdashFiction 2 Women and

warmdashHistorymdashCivil War 1861ndash1865mdashFiction 3 Orphansmdashennesseemdash

Historymdash19th centurymdashFiction 4 Upper classmdashennesseemdashFiction5 Southern StatesmdashHistorymdash1865ndash1877mdashFiction I itle

PS3601L3563B43 2014

813 6mdashdc23 2013047195

Scripture quotations are rom the Holy Bible King James Version

Tis is a work o historical reconstruction the appearances o certain historical figures are

thereore inevitable All other characters however are products o the authorrsquos imagina-

tion and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental

Cover design by Jennier Parker

Cover photography by Mike Habermann Photography LLC

Author represented by Te Natasha Kern Literary Agency

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



For my readers who not only take these journeys with mebut who add such joy and beauty to my own



ldquoIt is only with the heart that one can see clearly

or the most essential things are invisible to the eyerdquomdashAntoine de Saint-Exupeacutery



Preface

M ost o the novel yoursquore about to read is fictional though there

is plenty o real history and people woven throughout For

instance there really is a Belmont Mansion in Nashville built in 1853that still stands today and that welcomes your visit And Mrs AdeliciaAcklen a character in the novel is the dynamic born-beore-her-timewoman who lived there

In addition to Adelicia Acklen many o the other characters in thenovel were inspired by real people who lived during that timemdashpeoplewho lived and worked at Belmont But the charactersrsquo personalities

and actions as depicted in this story are o my own imagination and

should be construed as suchTe first time I stepped across the threshold o Belmont Mansion

and learned about Adelicia and her extraordinary personality and lieI knew I wanted to write stories that included her her magnificent

Belmont estate and this crucial time in our nationrsquos history I inviteyou to join me as we open the door to history once again and stepinto another time and place

Tank you or entrusting your time to me Itrsquos a weighty investment

one I treasure and that I never take or grantedamera



Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141

E leanor Braddock startled when the soldier grabbed her hand his

grip surprisingly strong his palm slicked with blood sweat andwar With eyes clenched tight he held on to her as though she were

the last person on earth Which or him she wasFrom habit she searched the lef pocket o the soldierrsquos uniorm or

his name but the materialmdashbloodied gray and soaked clean throughmdashhad been ripped to shreds by a cannon blast much like the rest ohim She was grateul hersquod been unconscious moments earlier whenthe surgeon examined him Hersquod been spared the brusque shake o

the doctorrsquos headldquoNurse rdquoHis gaze sought hers and against the distant barrage o rifle and

cannon fire Eleanor steeled hersel or the question she knew was

orthcoming No matter how many times she was orced to answer itnever got any easier to tell a man he was about to die

And neither did watching it happenldquoYesrdquo she said sofly not bothering to correct his misassumption

about her medical training or lack thereoldquoCould you tell memdashrdquo He coughed and his bearded chin shook



10 A Beauty So Rare

rom the cold or pain likely both A gurgling sound bubbled up insidehis throat ldquoDid we take the hillrdquo

Surprised that he asked o the battle and not his lie and touched bythe strained hope behind his query a tender knot ormed in Eleanorrsquos

throat ldquoYesrdquo she answered without hesitation having not the leastclue which army held the upper hand in the battle All she knew was

that countless menmdashathers sons husbands brothersmdashwere beingslaughtered a short distance away And this man deserved to die witha semblance o peace believing that his lie had counted or some-

thing ldquoYes you didrdquo She tried to smile ldquoAnd General Lee will be

so pleasedrdquoraces o pride but mostly relie shone in the soldierrsquos eyes beore

they drifed shut He ought or breath each one exacting a price andshe prayed that his struggle would soon cease But shersquod seen men with

similar wounds linger or hours drifing in and out o agonyHe was no mere youthmdashinto his thirties at leastmdashand his eet over-

hung the cot by several inches Both boots were worn clean through

at the toe Shersquod detected the hint o a brogue in his voice an accent

rom ar away something shersquod always admiredShe studied him wondering what his lie had been like beore thewar and how hersquod come to be on a bleak battlefield in the middle oennessee His cheekbones were especially prominent and she wished

she had some o the bee tea shersquod made or the men last evening asshe did nearly every night No matter that she watered it down tostretch as ar as possible the men always made quick work o itldquoWe

ainrsquot tasted nothinrsquo this good in monthsrdquo theyrsquod say draining their cups

Shersquod always enjoyed cooking but seeing her patients eat even thatlittle bit did her heart good in ways she couldnrsquot have imagined beoreserving injured and dying men

She shifed her weight and the soldierrsquos grip tightenedHe grimaced and clenched his jaw moaning as though determined

not to cry out like the othersEmpty bottles o laudanum on a nearby table caught her eye She

wished she had something to give him but the last o the pain medica-

tion including the morphine chloroorm and ether had been admin-istered that morning prior to them learning that the expected shipmento medical supplies wouldnrsquot be arrivingmdashthanks to the Federal Army

She could make sense o the interception o ammunition and cur-

rency or even provisionsmdashbut medical supplies Even war shouldhave certain rules



AMERA ALEXANDER 11

Cannon fire thundered in the distance and an icy wind kniedthe canvased confines o the hospital tent Te moans and cries othe wounded and dying rent the air and Eleanor shivered against thechill o it all Tough it was absurd she was certain she could eel the

earth groaning straining beneath her eet wondering as she didhow much longer this insanity could continue Surely this was what

hell was like And yet as she thought o the dark calamity o madness occur-

ring just over the hill she knew shersquod only seen the outskirts o hell

in these tents

How had she lived or twenty-six years without realizing how pre-cious and ragile lie was And how tenuous its peace Shersquod neverconsidered whether shersquod squandered her lie to that point But whencontrasting the experiences o her whole lie with what shersquod seen and

done in recent months squandered seemed a painully appropri-ate term

Her ocus moved down the row o soldiers lining both sides othe tent How many more would die beore the two sides determined

enough blood had been spilledWhen shersquod first read the advertisement in the Murreesboro news-paper soliciting ldquoplain-looking women between the ages o 35 and50rdquo to volunteer in field hospitals and surgical tents shersquod wondered

whether her age would prevent them rom accepting her But with theneed or volunteers so greatmdashand the first requirement met withouta doubtmdashshersquod quickly been accepted

Te only other point that had drawn a raised brow rom her was

the line ldquono specialized medical training or experience requiredrdquo Butit hadnrsquot taken her long to understand why and to realize that shersquodgrossly underestimated the task or which shersquod volunteered

Shersquod only known that afer seeing her brother enlist along with

most o her male relatives and riends she couldnrsquot sit at home anddo nothingmdashespecially with their aging ather championing theConederacy as he did

She briefly closed her eyes atigue and worry joining orces With

stinging clarity she imagined her younger brother lying somewhere ona battlefield wounded cold and alone the precious lieblood pouringout o him And a chill stole through her

I anything happened to eddy she didnrsquot know how she would

bear it Or how their ather would hold up beneath the weight o sucha loss Tough he possessed the physical strength o a man hal his



12 A Beauty So Rare

age and at six oot ourmdashonly five inches taller than shemdashstill stood

ramrod straight her atherrsquos mind was slipping Her motherrsquos passingnearly a decade agomdashGod rest her soulmdashhad been especially difficultor him Hersquod endured a long period o grie mourning her passing

But in the past ew months Eleanor had noticed a marked change inhis memory and in his ability to recall recent details

A sudden gust o wind thrashed the tent and or a second Eleanoreared the orce would uproot it at the stakes

Above the distant rumble o battle the stomp o horsesrsquo hooves andthe creak o wagon wheels announced the arrival o another ambulance

Te other two volunteers in the tent moved to assist with unloadingthe wounded men Eleanor knew she needed to do the samemdashand

would receive a reprimand rom Dr Rankin i he saw her lingeringoverlong with any one patient But thinking o eddy o the possi-

bility o him being somewhere like thismdashrightened wounded andalonemdashshe couldnrsquot orce hersel to leave the soldierrsquos side

Even i he were to let go o her handmdashwhich he hadnrsquot

ldquoMost o what a person ears never comes to ruition Eleanorrdquo Her

atherrsquos counsel returned rom years past and she knew i he werethere he would tell her not to be worried about imaginings ldquoTe mindcan be a deceitul thing You must be sensible daughter not given to theworrisome nature that so ofen bealls your gender Focus on what youcan see not on what your imagination tells you is thererdquo

She knew rom experience he was right but her imaginings weresometimes so powerul they were hard to resist And knowing a tiny

percentage o ears actually did come true ed the seed o worry Surely

this makeshif hospital ward bore proo o thatldquoTe doc rdquo came a gruff whisper

She looked down to see the soldier watching her again

ldquoWould you be knowinrsquo whmdashrdquo He gritted his teeth his alreadypale complexion growing more so A moment passed beore he spokeldquoWhen will he be cominrsquo byrdquo

Despising her helplessness Eleanor orced a steadiness to her voice

Te training she and the other women in her group had received had

been brie but clear especially in regard to the dying ldquoDonrsquot ply a sol-dier with questions when hersquos near the end Yoursquore there to be a solace

And above all i he asks about his condition always tell him the truthrdquo Eleanor wholeheartedly agreed with that last principlemdashin theory

But theory and practice were two very different thingsldquoActually rdquo She tried to rame the truth gently ldquoTe doctor already



AMERA ALEXANDER 13

has been byrdquo She squeezed his hand ldquoIrsquom so sorry but nothing

can be donerdquo

Slowly the soldierrsquos gaze narrowed Ten with effort and a hinto disbelie he lifed his head and peered down at his battered body

Reality orced the air rom his lungs and Eleanor gently eased hishead back down

A single tear slipped rom the corner o his eye and his shouldersbegan to shake Yet he didnrsquot make a sound

She wanted to tell him it was all right i he cried out that there was

no shame in it But something kept the words rom orming told her

that whispering such a thing wouldnrsquot be a comort to him And shewanted to be o comortI only there were something she could give him to ease his passing

something to help cut themdash

A pitcher o water and a tin cup on the tray beside the empty medi-cine bottles caught her eye And an idea ormed

Swifly beore reason could dissuade hermdashor her conscience couldoffer argumentmdashshe removed her hand rom his poured some water

into the cup and tipped an empty bottle o laudanum into it as thoughmixing the two She made certain the soldier could see hermdashhoping

no one else didmdashand swirled the contents o the cup then held it tohis mouth

ldquoHererdquo she whispered summoning a cautious tone ldquoBut only alittle Itrsquos mighty powerulrdquo

His effort to gulp the contents tugged at her heart Gasping heworked to swallow every drop oo quickly though and he coughed

some back up She wiped the residue rom his mouth and beard Tecloth came away bloodied

ldquoOh thank you lass Tank yourdquo he whispered over and over asthough shersquod given him the elixir o lie

For the longest time he stared overhead his breathing labored hisbody racked with shakes Eleanor stood close beside him waiting or

a telling flicker in his eyes that would reveal he recognized what shersquoddone Or had tried to do

Ten gradually the sharp lines o pain in his eatures began torelax and to her amazement and disbelie the tension in his body eased

How right her ather had beenmdashthe mind could be a deceitul thingTe soldier took a breath holding his chest as he did and emotion

glazed his eyes ldquoI wish Irsquod done betterrdquo he ground out ldquoI w-wishthatmdashrdquo His voice broke and he reached again or her hand



14 A Beauty So Rare

ldquoShhh rdquo Eleanor leaned close ldquoItrsquos going to be all rightrdquo

ldquoNo rdquo Te muscles in his neck corded tight ldquoI need to be sayinrsquothis lass while I still have me breathrdquo

Giving him the silence he needed she brushed the hair back romhis orehead in a manner that would have elt ar too intimate monthsearlier But war had a way o rewriting etiquette

ldquoI I wish rdquo ears traced his temples His expression grew more

intent purposeul ldquoI wish Irsquod done or you like I said I wouldMary girl Like I promised rsquoore I lefrdquo His sigh held longing ldquoEvery

day in my mind I beenmdashrdquo

He choked on a sob and reached out as though trying to touch herace but Eleanor knew she wasnrsquot the woman he was seeing anymore

She cradled his hand between hers and his tears came areshldquoWhatrdquo she gently coaxed seeing the pain in his eatures and think-

ing that i he stated his regret aloud it might be lessenedHe umbled with the hem o his coat and when she realized his

intent she helped him pull a small bundle rom his pocket Careully

she unwrapped it

An embroidered handkerchie damp with blood A rose pressedbetween its oldsldquoI been carryinrsquo this with me my sweet Maryrdquo he whispered ldquoJust

like you askedrdquo His lips trembled His blue eyes smiled ldquoI still canrsquot

believe yoursquore mine darlinrsquo Tat you said yes to the likes o merdquoEleanor blinked and only then did she eel the moisture on her

lashes Shersquod never minded the sight o blood Shersquod assisted in thesurgical tent where the large wooden table ran red or days on end

and shersquod watched wagon afer wagon lumber away loaded with am-putated limbs But this

Listening to final whispers to the contents o a manrsquos heart poured

out to a stranger this she couldnrsquot do without crying Whoever thiswomanmdashthis Mary girl mdashwas she prayed the woman knew how wellshe was loved

Or had been loved

Not doubting hersel at all now Eleanor leaned close so he would

be sure to hear her ldquoIrsquom proud to be yours and always have beenrdquoshe said trying to imagine what it would be like to be so loved by a

man But she couldnrsquot

She looked again at the handkerchie thinking about how brie lietruly was and about all the things she hadnrsquot yet donemdashshersquod never

been kissed much less married or given birth to children Shersquod never



AMERA ALEX ANDER 15

traveled outside ennessee or seen the oceanrsquos tide roll in and outGrowing up shersquod never held a boyrsquos hand other than eddyrsquos andshersquod never lain awake all night beneath the stars to watch the sunrsquos journey begin again Countless other never had s flitted through her

mind and yet how distant and unimportant they seemed now incomparison to the world closing in around them

ldquoYoursquore proud to be minerdquo he whispered as i relishing the thoughteven while struggling to accept it ldquoItrsquos too late I know Mary girlbut rdquo Deep urrows knit his brow ldquoI I could Irsquod rdquo He grimaced

and sucked in a breath

Her chest aching with the weight o this manrsquos regret Eleanorpressed the handkerchie into his palm ldquoWhatrdquo she whisperedsqueezing his hand eeling him slipping away ldquoWhat would you dordquo

He peered into her eyes ldquoOh my precious Mary Irsquod do like I

promised you andmdashrdquoA blast o winter shook the canvas walls o the tent Only Eleanor

elt the ground shake this time too and she realized it wasnrsquot the windldquoMiss Braddockrdquo

She turned to see Dr Rankin racing toward her chaos in the tentbehind him

ldquoQuicklyrdquo he shouted ldquoGet to the ambulances Federal troopshave taken the hillrdquo

A high-pitched whistle pierced the air overhead and in the briesecond it took her to place the sound the world exploded DrRankin grabbed her shoulder to steady her Smoke filled the tent Te

acrid burn o gunpowder thickened the air

ldquoGo Miss Braddock All volunteers to the ambulances NowrdquoldquoBut we canrsquot leave the menrdquoldquoWersquore moving those we canrdquo He turned ldquoBut i we donrsquot leave

soon wersquoll be dead alongside themrdquo

Only then did she realize the soldier had let go o her handShe looked back at him saw his slack jaw the dissonant peace in

his expression

Hearing the volley o gunfire she hastily touched his cheek hoping

his regret over whatever it was he wished hersquod done in this lie wouldsomehow be lessened in the next She turned to gomdash

And rememberedFrantic she checked the soldierrsquos hand or the handkerchie A volley

o gunfire made her flinch His hand was empty Wanting to keep thehandkerchie made no sense but knowing how much it had meant



16 A Beauty So Rare

to him it seemed wrong to simply leave it behind to be trampled and

orgottenFinally she spotted the bloodstained cloth on the floor and grabbed

it But the rose was gone Never partial to flowers she dismissed it at

first but quickly thought again o the soldier having carried his Marygirlrsquos rose into battle

Heart racing and hearing the blast o cannon fire explode outsideshe knelt in the dirt eeling oolish as she searched telling hersel itwas useless She needed to bemdash

Tere Her palm closed around the delicate pressed flower the pet-

als coming loose in her grip She positioned the flower careully intothe handkerchie and then into her pocket As she turned to leave shesaw the remaining wounded in the tent

So many

She spotted a soldier struggling to standmdasha man Dr Rankin hadscheduled or surgerymdashand with strength she didnrsquot know she hadshe pulled him to his eet draped his arm around her shoulders andhal dragged hal carried him to the ambulance Someone rom be-

hind picked her up and shoved her into the wagon beside him just asa second shrill scream sounded overhead

Eleanor covered her head and braced or the impact thinking oeddy and praying he wasnrsquot dead and promising hersel that i she

got through this alivemdashi this wretched war ever endedmdashshe wouldget as ar away rom death and dying as she could and she would doa better job at living than shersquod done beore She would make her lie

count or something

And she would find that soldierrsquos widow his Mary girl whoevershe was and tell her what hersquod said And ask her what hersquod meant



1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141

E leanor knew in her heart that what she was doing was rightmdashso

why was her heart fighting her on it now when the day hadfinally arrived

Seated across rom her in the carriage her ather stared out thewindow solemn hands clasped in his lap so different rom momentsearlier when theyrsquod first entered the city o Nashville Hersquod seemed al-

most childlike in his enthusiasm as the carriage carried them throughthe heart o town

Shersquod asked the driver to stop by the post office first It wouldnrsquot takeher but a moment inside She preerred to have the signed contract

in hand or her meeting later that afernoon and the building owner

with whom shersquod corresponded in recent weeks had indicated he wouldleave it or her there

ldquoIrsquom going there to restrdquo her ather said sofly his tone borderingmore on question than certainty

Knowing what he meant Eleanor nodded ldquoYes Papa thatrsquosright And itrsquos only or a short timerdquo She coerced a smile to reinorcethe statement praying the doctorrsquos expectations were correct

Exactly when her role as daughter had shifed to that o caretaker

she couldnrsquot say But as she looked across the carriage at the strappinggiant o a manmdashwhom she avored in more ways than was likely bestor a daughter to domdasha place deep inside her yearned to again be thatlittle girl who when she looked into her atherrsquos warm brown eyes

knew that everything in the world would be right And sae Andwould make sense



18 A Beauty So Rare

But that little girl was gone And so was her ather

Te carriage slowed and Eleanor spotted the post office aheadldquoPapa I need to run a quick errand But I wonrsquot be longrdquo

He glanced out the window ldquoPerhaps I should come with you I

could helpmdashrdquoldquoTatrsquos not necessaryrdquo she said a little too quickly and regretted it

She reached or his book ldquoWhy not stay here and continue reading

where we lef off Ten wersquoll discuss the passage once wersquore on ourway againrdquo

Not looking convinced he studied the book in his hands then

finally nodded ldquoYou will come back wonrsquot yourdquoldquoO course Irsquoll come back Papardquo She squeezed his hand in affirma-

tion but the guilt already nipping her heels took a firm biteTe carriage driver opened the door and Eleanor hurried into the

post office She paused inside and looked back to see her ather read-ing his lips moving as he did She hadnrsquot wanted to risk him comingwith her not when considering the spells that requently overcame

him these days His temperament was so unpredictable

Patronage was heavier than shersquod imagined and the queue reachedalmost to the door She glanced at the chatelaine watch affixed to her

bodice She had a ew moments to spare beore her atherrsquos scheduledappointment and she needed that contract in hand

Te line moved more slowly than she would have liked and afer acouple o moments she glanced out the ront window to the carriage

and stilled not seeing her ather anymoreShe craned her neck to one side Perhaps hersquod changed seats Hersquod

insisted on that twice already on their ride rom Murreesboro thatmorning saying it was bad luck to ride in one direction or an entire

trip Ten she saw the door Ajar

She raced back outside to find the driver still atop the carriage butthe carriagemdashempty And her ather nowhere in sight

ldquoArmsteadrdquo she called up searching the street ldquoMy ather Hersquosgonerdquo

Te driver appeared at her side bewildered ldquoIrsquom sorry Miss Brad-dock Last thing I knew he was in hererdquo

ldquoYou go that wayrdquo She pointed ldquoAnd i you find him first please try not to upset him We donrsquot want to cause a scenerdquo

ldquoYes marsquoamrdquoEleanor started in the opposite direction peering inside stores and



AMERA A LEX ANDER 19

businesses as she went trying not to think about her atherrsquos recent

antics or what might happen i someone attempted to conront himand he became upset

Te high-pitched laughter drew her attention first Ten she saw

him Across the street Peering in the window o a dry-goods store

Dodging a reight wagon and another carriage she managed toreach the other side but not beore her ather had entered the storeand taken a spool o ribbon rom the shel along with a pair o scissors

He spotted her ldquoEleanor Isnrsquot it pretty I thought you would enjoy

this You like wearing ribbons in your hairrdquo

She managed to get the scissors rom him but he stuffed the spoolinto his pocketldquoPapa itrsquos lovely but I donrsquot wear ribbons anymore rememberrdquo

Eleanor retrieved the spool and returned it to the shel Ten sheglimpsed a man presumably the proprietor headed straight or themConsternation lined the manrsquos ace

He glared at her ather then her ldquoMay I help yourdquo

Embarrassed Eleanor tried not to show it ldquoWe were just looking

sir And nowmdashrdquo She took her ather by the arm ldquoI yoursquoll excuse uspleaserdquoFeeling the proprietorrsquos attention on her back Eleanor hurried

outside grateul to see Armstead walking toward them With his as-

sistance she managed to get her ather back to the carriage withouturther incident

ldquoIrsquoll watch him this time Miss Braddockrdquo the driver insisted ldquoYou

go on inside marsquoam i you wantrdquo

Considering what awaited her that afernoon Eleanor elt she hadlittle choice

In a hurry Marcus Geoffrey exhaled questioning yet again his desireto experience the lie o the common man Te queue inside the post

office nearly reached the door and he estimated at least a ten-minute

wait It seemed patience was a virtue he was destined to learnTe door to the post office opened behind him and an older

woman entered slightly stooped and tottering At the same time thewind gusted and blew the door back Te woman reached or it

and stumbled But Marcus caught her and stopped the door beore itslammed back against the wall



20 A Beauty So Rare

ldquoOh thank you sirrdquo She covered his hand on her arm regaining

her balance ldquoIrsquom not as spry as I used to berdquoldquoWho among us is madamrdquoShe gave him an appreciative look and Marcusmdashthinking o his

own dear mother gone long beore her timemdashmotioned or the womanto move ahead o him in line He withdrew a pad o paper and pen

rom his suit-coat pocket and used the opportunity to sketch an ideaor the warehouse his crew was renovating It had come to him earlierthat morning and he hadnrsquot yet had time tomdash

ldquoYes thatrsquos correct Te gentleman said he would leave it here or

merdquo a emale stated rom somewhere in ront o him ldquoWould youmind checking again pleaserdquo

Marcus slowly raised his head curious about the creature to whomthe beguiling voice belonged

ldquoYes sirrdquo she continued ldquoAt least that was my understandingrdquo

Marcus looked toward the counter and spotted the womanmdashorrather the explosion o pink with a woman swathed somewherebeneathmdashspeaking with the mail clerk Her voice bore the accent

customary to the people o Nashville but had a satisying almost sultryquality to it Like the touch o a breeze on the back o onersquos neck on a

hot summer day But the womanrsquos ensemble Her jacket and skirt well tailored stood out in marked contrast

to the hues o black gray and dark blues worn by most o the otherpatrons

ldquoIrsquom sorry marsquoam but therersquos nothing or you here by that descriptionNor do we have record o having sent anything like that to Belmontrdquo

She sighed shoulders saggingEven viewing her only rom behind and without benefit o an intro-

duction Marcus knew who she was Personal business took him to her

auntrsquos estate nearly every day and hersquod overheard Mrs Adelicia AcklenCheatham speaking o the womanrsquos arrival expressing an eagernessor her to make everyonersquos acquaintance at Belmont

But having met more than his air share o wealthy well-bred overly

eager husband-seeking women in his liemdashdespite this one being taller

than most and the niece o the richest woman in Americamdashhe had nointention o pursuing her acquaintance nor encouraging it in any way

I she attempted to gain his attention he would be kind he decidedeven affablemdashconsidering Adelicia Acklen Cheatham was his bene-

actress o sorts But beyond that he would firmly yet gently rebuffany flirtations on the young womanrsquos part



AMERA ALEXANDER 21

She turned then and headed straight or him

He summoned an air o practiced nonchalance the words replayingin his mind Firmly but gently

Te woman didnrsquot so much as blink in his direction as she passed

Feeling aptly put in his placemdashand not overly ond o the eelingMarcus watched her exit the post office He wasnrsquot accustomed to being

ignored Her attention was clearly ocused elsewhere He studied heras she walked toward a waiting carriage the driver already standingby the door

all and blond she bore not the slightest resemblance to her aunt

who was a petite brunette Even at a mature age Adelicia Cheathamwas still a striking dark-haired beauty Tis woman on the otherhand while not unattractive possessed less remarkable eatures lessdelicate to be sure Hers held more strength One might even describe

her as handsome And he suspected she was older than hersquod firstimaginedmdash

ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned

Te elderly woman hersquod assisted earlier was several eet ahead ohim in the queue She smiled and motioned him orward

Feeling a little oolish Marcus moved ahead then chanced anotherlook back at the window in time to see the woman climb into thewaiting carriage

It had been a long time since hersquod noticed a woman whomdashwhenin such close proximitymdashhadnrsquot reciprocated his noticing O course

he hadnrsquot endeavored to gain her attention I he had been trying she

would have noticed he assured himselIt meant nothing really Afer all hersquod had enough o those kind o

women And the woman he had now he didnrsquot want But he blewout a breath Nothing he did would change that

Minutes later he reached the counterldquoGood afernoon Mr Geoffreyrdquo Te mail clerk greeted him already

rising rom his stool ldquoWe have something or you sir It arrived this

morningrdquo

Satisfied Marcus waited But when he saw an envelope instead o abox or crate his satisaction waned ldquoNothing elserdquo he asked

Te clerk shook his head ldquoTatrsquos it Irsquom sorry sirrdquoMarcus managed a polite response and stepped to the side fingering

the envelope Te handstamp announced the origin o the envelopeeven beore he read the return address He tore open the flap and ound



22 A Beauty So Rare

another envelope inside When he saw the royal wax-embossed seal

he quickly concealed it even as he elt an unseen noose tightening

about his neck

Never had Uncle Franz written to him and Marcus knew only too

well who had put him up to it He started to tuck the letter away to

read later but thought o his atherrsquos tenuous health and reconsideredMoving to a quieter section o the busy post office he opened the letter

His gaze ell upon the salutation and first lines o the missive and

he swifly realized his atherrsquos health was not the issue Te letter was

about something else

o the Archduke Gerhard Marcus Gottried von Habsburg

His unclersquos use o his ormal name and title didnrsquot bode well or the

letterrsquos purpose and Marcusrsquos gratitude or the ocean separating him

rom what hersquod lef behindmdashat least or a little while longermdashgrewone hundredold

His gaze edged downward past the ormal opening

Come next June Gerhard the reprieve granted to you shall have expired

At that time you shall return home according to our agreement in order

to fulfill your duties to crown and country Tose born to privilege must

bear its responsibilities with integrity and honor despite onersquos personal

eelings and regardless o their

Marcus olded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope

wishing he could dismiss a decree rom his unclemdashthe emperor oAustriamdashso easily in person He knew his unclersquos speech by heart It

was one hersquod heard countless times as a boy when he was third in line

to the Austrian throne behind his ather and older brother

But hersquod heard it even more ofen in the weeks prior to leaving or

America when the Austrian newspapers had reported hersquod become

second in line ldquothrough extenuating circumstancesrdquo

Hersquod never sought the throne nor ever considered that it might

someday come to him He still didnrsquot believe it would happen Notwith his uncle healthy and strong and still trying or that first son

Marcus hopedmdasheven prayed on occasionmdashthat the Almighty would

make ruitul that royal endeavor

He could scarcely believe close to a year had passed since hersquod lef

his homeland He was still somewhat surprised his uncle and ather



AMERA ALEXANDER 23

had agreed to his coming to America But afer Rutgerrsquos death everything had changed

He had changed

Both his uncle and ather agreed that time away would be good orhim and good or the House o Habsburg considering the rumors

that were circulating around Rutgerrsquos death ldquoBest you not be seenin public or a while Gerhardrdquo Uncle Franz had counseled ldquoLet the

scandal calm to a simmer then slowly dissipate to nothing as these

situations almost always domdashgiven time and something else on whichthe public can chew And by all means i you must sow any last wild

oats do it discreetly Te last thing we need is an American scandalon top o this onerdquo

His atherrsquos last letter had confirmed that Uncle Franzrsquos prediction

had held true Te rumors were subsiding People were orgettingwhat had happened

But orgetting was something Marcus could never do

I there had been any significant political unrest in the country hisuncle and ather would never have allowed him to step oot outside

Europe But with the volatile years o war behind them and the previ-ous yearrsquos compromise o dual monarchy with Hungary accepted the

empire was at peace Te ship was sailing smoothly as his uncle hadstated upon his departure

StillmdashMarcus looked at the envelopemdashapparently Uncle Franz eltthe need to remind him o his obligation As i he could ever orget

He loved his country and his amily rie with greed and ambitionthough its members were It wasnrsquot or lack o affection or honor that

he eschewed the crownHe simply didnrsquot desire to ever rule his country Hersquod seen that side

o lie Now he wanted to see another

Out on the street Marcus breathed in the resh air catching a hint o

all on the breeze He searched the thoroughare or the carriagemdashandMrs Cheathamrsquos niecemdashreliving her snub and eeling a tug o humor

Perhaps he was losing his touch with women

Or more likely Adeliciarsquos niece bore more resemblance to her auntthan first met the eye He smiled Adelicia Cheatham was her own

woman in every way Hersquod seen her when in town beore She heldher head high looking neither to the right nor the lef She seemedimpervious to social pressure

Afer an appointment he was headed to Belmont to check on his



24 A Beauty So Rare

plants in the conservatory Perhaps while there he would have oppor-tunity to make the acquaintance o Adeliciarsquos niece Purely or socialreasons o course International relations some might say

He made a quick stop by his room at the boardinghouse and stowed

the letter rom his uncle in the cedar trunk at the oot o the bed Ashe closed the lid his hand lingered on the artully carved woodwork

He hadnrsquot brought much in the way o urniture when he lef Austriaunderstandably But leaving the trunk behind hadnrsquot been an option

His maternal grandathermdasha humble unassuming manmdashhad pos-sessed remarkable skill with a blade a gif Marcus hadnrsquot inherited

He ran a hand along the edges o the trunk easily distinguishing theartistic work rom the lesser-crafed attempts o a nine-year-old boy

treasuring the memory o the man who had prized spending timewith his grandson above perection

Marcus rose glad again that hersquod brought the trunk with him It

fit well in this setting

Hersquod grown accustomed to even appreciative o the sparse sur-roundings o his current living quarters which were a ar cry rom

the palace and his amilyrsquos private residence He could have leased oreven purchased a house upon his arrival in Nashville But that would

have gone contrary to the decision hersquod made beore coming to thiscountry

He intended to experience how ordinary people lived and waslearning a lot about himsel in the processmdashnot all o which he liked

His uncle had warned him against causing a scandal in this country

but that was the last thing his uncle needed to worry about Marcus

was done with that part o his lie No more pursuing women and nomore liquormdashat least not in excess No more wasting his lie as hersquod

come to realize hersquod been doingCordoning off that vein o thought he strode in the direction o

the cityrsquos courthouse mindul o a distant pounding at the back o hishead oo much work perhaps He was hopeul his crew renovatingthe textile warehouse across town would maintain their progress Tey

were a week ahead o schedule and he wanted to maintain that lead

As he walked he searched the endless wash o cloudless blue over-head then let his gaze trail the lush rolling hills surrounding this cityeven whilemdashin his mindrsquos eyemdashhe saw the snowcapped Alps o home

Looking back over his lie he realized how much time had slipped

past him and how much o his lie had been lived by anotherrsquos dic-tate His had been a privileged upbringing no question with ample



AMERA ALEXANDER 25

opportunities to study and learn But also with obligations Always

always obligationsAmericarsquos South was ar more devastated rom the war and its a-

termath than hersquod imagined but his skills were being utilized It was

so different and reeing that in rare moments he could almost orgetthe lie hersquod lef behind Hersquod wanted to come to America since he wasa boy since first learning about the ldquothirteen brave little coloniesrdquo rom

his tutor But it was only when a trusted mentor had introduced him toLuther Burbankrsquos publications and then Marcus had met the botanist

in personmdashand later visited his Boston nursery ull o thousands o

plantsmdashthat his dream had been set in motionHowever short-lived that dream might prove to be



2

Y ou know Eleanormdashrdquo

Eleanor watched her ather as he leaned orward in the car-riage her rustration with him having aded But not her rustration

over having no contract She hoped the lack o ollow-through onthe part o the man who owned the building didnrsquot bode ill or theiragreement

ldquoI think this is a good decisionrdquo her ather continued ldquoAs yousaid it will give me an opportunity to rest andrdquomdasha aint smile hintedbeneath his silvered-white beard shersquod trimmed that morningmdashldquoit willallow you the opportunities a young woman such as yoursel needsrdquo

Eleanor was tempted to laugh ldquoA young woman such as yourself rdquo She was twenty-nine and could count on one hand the number o

months until her thirtieth birthday One could hardly describe her asyoung anymore Nor did she eel as such

Her atherrsquos comment reminded her o what Mrs Hodges the seam-stress had the gall to say to her only days earlier Eleanor fingered thesleeve o her new jacket then ran a hand over her skirt still a littleembarrassed by it and more than a little perturbed at the outcome

o her exchange with the womanmdashand at Mrs Hodgesrsquos meddlingldquoTat was a delicious dinner you prepared or us earlier this weekrdquo

her ather continued ldquoTough I still donrsquot like the idea o your beingorced to cookrdquo He grimaced ldquoBernice shouldnrsquot have lef us or that

position with another amily Irsquom more than a little disappointed inher Te least she could have done is to have given us more noticerdquo

Eleanor regretted her atherrsquos resentment toward their ormerhousekeeper and cook especially since she hersel was responsibleor Bernicersquos departure But to tell him the real reason Bernice had

lef their employ would wound him too deeply



AMERA ALEXANDER 27

So she reached or a brightness she didnrsquot eel and redirected the

conversation a skill shersquod finely honed in recent months ldquoDonrsquot eelbadly about me cooking Father As Irsquove told you I enjoy it Andbesides yoursquore eating better these days Your appetite has improvedrdquo

His brows shot up ldquoHow could it not with that what do you callit Tat ancy egg dish you preparedrdquo

ldquoA savory custard I think I finally came upon the right combination

o ingredients this timerdquoldquoI heartily agree I hope you kept close account o what you added

Irsquod like to have that againrdquo

ldquoI didrdquo She kept close account o all her recipes both those passeddown rom her precious mother and those shersquod devised on her ownmdashand with good reason considering their present circumstances

Most o her recipes leaned toward the savory variety but she shared

an affinity or the sweets tooAs theyrsquod traveled on through Nashville shersquod seen a bakery claim-

ing to have the Best doughnuts in town She looked orward to seeing

i the message on the sign held true and also to scouting out her

potential ldquocompetitionrdquoBut that little bakery would only be competition i her plans actu-

ally came to passTen it registered with her How coherent her ather sounded

how much like his old sel She looked over at him questioning yetagain i she was doing the right thing Or i perhaps she was actingprematurely

Usually her ather couldnrsquot remember what hersquod eaten five minutes

ago much less days earlier Yet he recalled events rom his childhoodor early marriage with stunning clarity

ldquoMy only regretrdquomdashhis expression grew thoughtulmdashldquois that eddywasnrsquot there to enjoy the meal with usrdquo

Eleanor elt a twinge at the mention o her brotherrsquos name and atthe wistulness in her atherrsquos eatures

ldquoHersquoll enjoy that savory custard Eleanor I hope you saved himsomerdquo Eyebrows raised his expression turned conspiratorial ldquoAnd

those little muffins with the jam He always likes the sweets you knowrdquoIt was all Eleanor could do to maintain his gaze as down deep an-

other chunk o her heart broke ldquoYesrdquo she whispered ldquoI knowrdquoldquoHave I shared his latest letter with yourdquo Her ather patted the lef

breast pocket o his coat then the other ldquoHersquos doing so well EleanorWhich I always knew he wouldrdquo



28 A Beauty So Rare

Feeling a sickening affirmation o the choice shersquod made she looked

out the window as he searched or the letter that wasnrsquot thereTough still a good distance away the expansive our-story brick

building came into view and the carriage driver slowed the horsesrsquo

pace to negotiate the turn onto the long narrow drive It shamed herto admit it but Eleanor was relieved no other carriages were in sight

When shersquod first inquired months ago the institution had been ullwith a waiting list And the only reason they had an opening now sheknew was due to her auntrsquos influence or more specifically her auntrsquos

husband Recently retired he had been director o the institution or

yearsEleanor had been assured o confidentiality and she was certain

they took great care but i anyone discovered that her athermdashGarrisonTeodore Braddock once one o the most revered attorneys in the

state o ennesseemdashwas here what thin veneer o honor and respectthat still clung to the Braddock amily name would be stripped awayin a blink

She motioned out the opposite window not wanting her ather to

see the sign marking the entrance o the institution He only knew hewas ldquogoing to a nice place to get much needed restrdquo as the doctor hadinstructed her to say

ldquoLook there Papardquo She pointed out the window overlooking a field

ldquoYoursquove always loved cardinalsrdquoTe brilliant red bird with its distinctive black markings sat perched

on a branch as though heaven itsel had willed the diversion I only

she could believe that was true But heaven and its Maker had never

elt so distant Nor so silentTe finely appointed carriage they traveled inmdashar nicer than any-

thing her amily could ever have affordedmdashjostled over the dirt-packeddrive and Eleanorrsquos grip tightened on her reticule as the nerves in her

stomach twisted another hal turnIn recent days shersquod managed to sell their amily home the house

shersquod lived in all her lie and where her ather had been raised along

with most o the urniture keeping only a ew pieces that would be

delivered within the week either here or her ather or to her ldquonewhomerdquomdashi she could call it that She didnrsquot plan to be there long

Teir homersquos condition had declined over the years and the meagerunds rom its sale had gone toward paying off a loan her ather had

secured years earlier and or which hersquod used the home as collateralTe rest had mostly gone toward her atherrsquos treatment Te institution



AMERA ALEXANDER 29

demanded six monthsrsquo payment in advance with promise o reimburse-ment should the patient require less time She trusted her ather would

all into that category but in any case she was determined to spendwhat little money remained as rugally as possible

Bernice their cook and housekeeper or twelve years had been mostunderstanding about the quiet dismissal rom servicemdashthey simply

hadnrsquot been able to pay her any longer Not since the law firmmdasha prac-tice her ather had built and managed or over twenty-five yearsmdashhadbeen orced to close its doors afer the war

She couldnrsquot bring hersel to admit the financial devastation to

her ather I he knew how ar theyrsquod allen it would surely push himover the edge

ldquoPerhaps you could pen a response to eddy this evening EleanorrdquoHer ather nodded as though considering the prospect an excellent one

ldquoWe could compose it together ollowing dinner Likely hersquos wonder-ing why we havenrsquot written But rdquo He turned to the satchel on theseat beside him ldquoWhere is that letterrdquo He rummaged through the

contents growing increasingly earnest ldquoIt must be in here somewhererdquo

Sensing his rustration mount Eleanor knew better than to disagreewith him Almost our years had passed since eddy had died in the

war and still there were moments when the ache o loss elt as thoughtheyrsquod gotten the news only yesterday And that was especially true

whenever her ather spoke o him in the present tenseTose occasions growing more requent laid siege to the hope that

indeed the doctors were correct about his mental aculties returning

Shersquod ceased trying to correct her atherrsquos slips in memory some time

ago He became emotional even agitated when she did On several oc-casions his behavior had bordered on violent and shersquod actually begunto ear he might do her harm however unintentionally Tough shewas tall and strongmdashor stout as her grandmother had once described

her as a girl patting her leg firmlymdashshe was no match or himSuddenly he stilled He looked over at herHis eyes narrowed as though he were reading her thoughts and

Eleanor braced hersel or what was coming

ldquoTeodorerdquo he whispered ldquoOh my dear son rdquo His eyes grewmoist His chin shook ldquoWhy Eleanor Why did they kill my boyTeymdashrdquo His voice broke ldquoTey shouldnrsquot have killed my only boyrdquo

Eleanor gave a slow nod her breath quickening ldquoI know Papa I

know rdquo With each tear that disappeared into her atherrsquos beard shesensed his controlmdashand himmdashslipping away again



30 A Beauty So Rare

Tis is or his own good she repeated to hersel over and over And

at the doctorrsquos recommendation Yet she couldnrsquot deny the guilt press-ing at her rom all sides

Te carriage slowedShe checked the chatelaine watch hooked to her bodice One orsquoclock

Precisely when shersquod told the director to expect them

She looked out the window and saw a woman and two men descend-ing the steps o the building ahead From their manner o clothingmdashthewoman in a dark dress and starched white apron the men in dark slacks

and white vestsmdashshe assumed they were employees o the institution

Her ather looked out the window too then back at her Slowlyhis expression changed rom pained to earul ldquoWhere are we What

is this placerdquoShe reached out to calm him but already suspicion darkened his gaze

ldquoFather itrsquos going to be all right Remember what the doctor saidabout going someplace where you could get some rest Tis ismdashrdquo

ldquoNo rdquo He pulled back shaking his head ldquoI donrsquot want to be here

I want to go homerdquo

ldquoPapardquo she said sofly using a firm but gentle tone ldquoListen to merdquoHis expression hardened ldquoYou must take me home EleanorrdquoldquoWe spoke about this earlierrdquo she continued ldquoAnd you said you

thought it was a goodmdashrdquo

ldquoDriverrdquo He pounded on the side o the carriage ldquoI insist youreturn us home Tis momentrdquo

He reached or the door handle the carriage still moving ButEleanor beat him to it His hand tightened over hers in a painul grip

ldquoake me homerdquo he said low drawing himsel up as he stareddown

His grip excruciating Eleanor elt her eyes begin to water as muchrom grie as rom the physical pain

Te carriage stopped and the two men approached Tough quiteshort they were strong broad shouldered Teir presence communi-

cated anything but welcome Or comortTey had been joined by Dr Craword the director with whom

shersquod interviewed weeks earlier when shersquod toured the acilitymdashwhatportions o it a amily member was permitted to visit

She looked at them and shook her head trying to keep them at baythe pain in her hand nearly unbearable I only they would give her a

ew moments she could calm her ather down She didnrsquot want theirfirst impression o him to be like this



AMERA ALEXANDER 31

ldquoPapa the people here are going to help yourdquo She tried to pull

her hand rom beneath his on the door latch but couldnrsquot ldquoPlease letgo Yoursquore hurting merdquo

ldquoYou donrsquot care about me Eleanorrdquo Accusation weighted each word

his ace flush with anger ldquoI you did you wouldnrsquot be doing thisrdquoWith one last torturous squeeze he released her hand flung open

the door and bolted rom the carriage



3

P owerless to intervene Eleanor watched as her athermdashthough a oot taller than the menmdashproved no match or

their combined strength As they orced his arms behind his backand wrestled him into submission her atherrsquos angry screams then

his cries tore at her heart And her conscienceArmstead climbed down rom his perch atop the carriage and stood

wide-eyed by the door obviously uncertain what to do nextHer hand still throbbing Eleanor climbed out o the carriage onlyto be met by Dr Craword

ldquoMy apologies Miss Braddockrdquo He lifed a hand in warning ldquoUnder

the circumstances you wonrsquot be able to accompany your ather insidetodayrdquo

ldquoBut rdquo Eleanor glanced beyond him to see the men leadingmdash

almost draggingmdashher ather up the ront steps to the imposing double

doors Each step o the way he ought them calling out her nameShe orced hersel to look away and addressed the doctor ldquoYou said Iwould be welcome anytime Dr Crawordrdquo

ldquoAnd you will berdquo he assured glancing at a young woman standing

behind him ldquoBut your presence todayrdquomdashhe shook his headmdashldquowouldonly increase your atherrsquos agitation Wersquoll administer a mild sedative

straightaway andmdashrdquoldquoA sedativerdquo

He nodded ldquoFor his anxiousnessrdquoldquoIs that necessary He usually calms down within a ew momentsrdquoDr Craword gave her a look and she remembered the details

shersquod disclosed during her previous visit She glanced away and saw

Armstead had moved to check on the horses ldquoSometimes it does takean hourrdquo she admitted sofly ldquoOr morerdquo




ldquoMiss Braddock rdquo Dr Crawordrsquos voice held compassion ldquoItrsquosnoble what yoursquove done taking care o your ather as you have

And yesrdquo he added quickly ldquothere are times when he seems almostnormal I know But as you said yoursel those times are becoming

less and less requentldquoAs I stated during our initial meeting it is imperative that we im-

merse your ather in a careully controlled environment one that mini-mizes conrontation and riction From what yoursquove told me and rankly rom what I just observed I believe it would be best or you

both i you allow us to proceed as Irsquove recommendedrdquo

Eleanor looked rom him to the imposing double doors then backagain not at all inclined to agree not really knowing what was bestldquoI we are to help your atherrdquo he continued ldquoif he is capable o being

helpedrdquomdashhis pause elt like it went on orevermdashldquothen now is the time

Miss Braddock beore his memory loss advances urther And itwould be best i you would give us a ew days beore returning Irsquollsend word as soon as hersquos ready to see yourdquo

Everything within her ought the idea o leaving her ather alone

and in such a rantic state much less or days beore she returned Buttry as she might she couldnrsquot think o a single argument to reute thedoctorrsquos prescription Her ather blamed her or bringing him hereand would be upset with her or who knew how long

Following the incident where hersquod lit an oil lamp then proceeded toset the still-lit match atop a newspaper shersquod confiscated every match-stick in the house And he hadnrsquot spoken to her or a week And that

had only been over matchsticks

Finally she gave a small nodldquoVery goodrdquo Dr Craword said a touch o relie in his voice ldquoI

assure you Miss Braddock this is the best courserdquo

Eleanor glanced back at the building Shersquod thought it so statelyand regal upon first view Now it seemed sterile and lonely almost

oreboding Not so much a place o healing as one o confinement

ldquoBeore you go Miss Braddock rdquo Te doctor gestured to thewoman behind him ldquoPlease allow me to present you to the nurse who

will be caring or your ather while hersquos with usrdquo Te nurse steppedorward and Dr Craword continued the introductions ldquoMiss Smith

is newly arrived to our air city but comes with sterling credentialsrdquoTe young womanrsquos demeanor could best be described as curious

But her eyes blue as a robinrsquos egg seemed kind and open ldquoItrsquos indeed

a great honor to make your acquaintance Miss Braddockrdquo Miss Smith



34 A Beauty So Rare

offered a poised and proper curtsy her crisp British accent suitingher perectly

Eleanor lifed a brow grateul or the generous greeting but morethan a little surprised by it ldquoTatrsquos very kind o you Miss Smith But

the pleasure is minerdquo She returned the curtsy ldquoLet me retrieve myatherrsquos satchel Itrsquos on the seat inside themdashrdquo

ldquoOh no marsquoamrdquo Miss Smith practically lunged or the carriagedoor ldquoIrsquoll happily retrieve it or yourdquo She did just that and climbedback down giving the carriage an overlong awe-filled look

Only then did it occur to Eleanor Did the woman think she

owned a carriage so fine Tat she was so wealthy so high and mightyTe thought was laughable but Eleanor didnrsquot laugh She gestured to

the book in the side pocket o the satchel ldquoI marked where we lef offreading in each o my atherrsquos books I read to him every night beore

he goes to bed And sometimes during the afernoon It calms himrdquoldquoTen I shall do the very same Miss Braddockrdquo With a parting

curtsy Miss Smith turned and disappeared inside the building

Eleanor thought o the one book she hadnrsquot included in her atherrsquos

satchel It was her book but one they both loved and read rom re-quently She would ofen quiz him about its contents hoping the ritualwould help sharpen his mind She didnrsquot think he would miss the little volume but knew she would have i shersquod lef it with him

She accepted Dr Crawordrsquos assistance into the carriage fightingthe recurring sense o guilt

ldquoMiss Braddock rdquo

She looked back surprised to find him smiling something she

couldnrsquot recall having seen him do beore Te gesture erased yearsrom his ace He seemed reluctant to release her hand

ldquoOnce again marsquoam please allow me to thank you or your trustI assure you that I along with my colleagues will do everything we

can or your ather So pleaserdquomdashhe gave her hand a gentle squeezemdashldquotry not to worryrdquo

With a doctorly almost atherly nod he relinquished his holdldquoTank you Doctor While I canrsquot promise I wonrsquot worry about my

ather I can tell you that I trust your judgment And Irsquoll do my best tothink positively about the outcome o my atherrsquos treatmentrdquo

ldquoWell spoken Miss Braddock Honest and straightorward toordquo

Dr Craword nodded and took a step back ldquoMuch like your esteemedaunt I dare sayrdquo

Eleanor elt a twinge o annoyance at his parting comment but the



AMERA ALEXANDER 35

hint o amusement in his eyes told her hersquod intended it as a compli-

ment She managed a smile and sat back as Armstead climbed atopthe carriage and gave the horses a command but she couldnrsquot helpreflecting on her years at the Nashville Female Academy and how that

same comparison by proessors had plagued her there ldquoYour auntalso earned exemplary marks in arithmetic Miss Braddock as well as

French and German as have you Your skills in recitation arenrsquot quite on par with hers but therersquos time She was however exceptionally gifedrdquo

As Armstead maneuvered the carriage about the turnaroundEleanor sighed and closed her eyes pushing that memory away and

choosing instead to concentrate on gathering her scattered wits andmentally preparing or the next hurdlemdashher esteemed aunt

She hadnrsquot seen Adelicia AcklenmdashCheatham now she remindedhersel her aunt having remarried the previous yearmdashsince the all o

1860 Beore the war and all it had brought and taken Beore JosephAunt Adeliciarsquos second husband and Paparsquos closest cousin had died

Eleanor glanced down hoping again that what she was wearingmdash

her finest ensemble albeit in her least avorite color pinkmdashwould be

nice enough She hadnrsquot purchased anything but day dresses since thewar She hadnrsquot needed to until nowFrowning at the gaudy brightness o the material she recalled her

exchange with the seamstress back home ldquoA woman such as yoursel Miss Braddock needs to wear more

color It helpsrdquomdashthe older woman had fluttered her handsmdashldquoenhanceonersquos eatures And dear i I might say you could do with a little

enhancingrdquo

Mrs Hodges always honest But that was all right Eleanor wastoo ldquoWhile that may be Mrs Hodges Irsquove never been ond o pinkI much preer sienna or perhaps a rich brown Tose colors are armore practical And suitable considering so many o our riends and

amily are still in mourning clothesrdquoldquoYes yes rdquo Mrs Hodges heaved a sigh her lips pinching ldquoWe all

lost someone in the war Or several someonesrdquo she said sofly look-

ing away ldquoIrsquove sewn enough black dresses to last me a lietime Miss

Braddock But itrsquos been three years and part o moving on with ourlives and in our heartsrdquomdashshe inhaled deeplymdashldquolies in choosing how

we dress And as Irsquove always said the plainer-looking the woman themore color she shouldmdashrdquo

Eleanor held up a hand ldquoSienna please Mrs Hodges Or a rich

brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare

Mrs Hodges a longtime amily riend simply stared tight-lipped

then whispered something beneath her breath Eleanor paid no mindat the time but when shersquod returned to the dressmakerrsquos days ago or

the fitting o the skirt and jacket she wished she hadldquoI didnrsquot have enough o the sienna or brown Miss Braddock So Irsquom

only charging you hal the quoted price And see nowrdquo Mrs Hodges

had said once Eleanor stepped rom behind the dressing curtainldquodoesnrsquot that look pretty And it makes you look years younger mydear Just as I knew it would Surely yoursquoll attract some manrsquos attentionrdquo

Te rumble o the carriage jostled Eleanor back to the moment

and she glanced again at her skirt and jacket Feeling like strawberryicing splashed atop a cake she knew she had a better chance o the

carriage sprouting wings and flying the five miles back to town thanshe did o attracting a manrsquos interest

But she had to admit though she was still irritated over Mrs

Hodgesrsquos intrusion the discounted price had helped to compensategiven her precarious finances

But what bothered her even more at the moment was that she was

worrying over such a thing as clothing How rivolous so many o theniceties had seemed in the years ollowing the war

And yet

She needed her auntrsquos assistance and thereore her approvalmdashwhich i past experience still held true wouldnrsquot be easily garneredHow a person dressed mattered greatly to her aunt so it matteredgreatly to her too oday

Her jitters getting the best o her Eleanor shifed on the seat as

Armstead urged the horses to a aster clip down the drive Her thoughtsturned to the business proposal shersquod devised that would surely win

Aunt Adelicia over Te plan had nothing to do with the war or deathand dying It would enable her and her ather to live independently

again once he was well

Tinking about the agreement shersquod made with the building ownershe hoped her strong convictions hadnrsquot prompted her to make a costly

misstep she would regret

Eleanor leaned her head back on the cushioned velvet seat So muchhad happened since shersquod last seen her aunt She elt like a different

person on the inside Yet outwardly She was still much the same Plain and tall No taller

And she expected Aunt Adelicia was still stunning still incred-ibly wealthy and still the ever-gracious hostess o Belmont the most



AMERA ALEXANDER 37

exquisite estate in ennesseemdashperhaps even in America i a newspaper

article Eleanor had recently read held trueBut one term the journalist had used to describe her auntmdash

American royalty mdashelt like too much

She scoffed She was grateul or her auntrsquos kind generosity butroyalty Hardly But what i her aunt had become like one o those

spoiled puffed-up European dukes and duchesses shersquod read about inHarperrsquos Weekly Te ones who considered themselves to be so muchabove and better than the rest o the common ordinary people

Eleanor shook her head Heaven orbid

As the carriage bounced along the long narrow drive Eleanorstared at the empty bench opposite her and could almost hear guiltrsquos

silent scolding How long had it been since shersquod lef her ather or anylength o time much less in the manner she just had A part o her

still couldnrsquot believe shersquod done itAlmost without thinking she slipped a hand into her skirt pocket

and pulled out the handkerchie the one shersquod carried all these years

Te material was silky sof between her thumb and orefinger its a-

miliaritymdashand historymdashan inexplicable comortShe traced a finger over the embroidered flowers now aded withtime and rom repeated washings Despite her best attempts at theoutset to remove the bloodstain a ghost o it remained Shersquod tried to

find her Te soldierrsquos Mary girl

For two years afer the war she had searched But her efforts hadbeen like trying to drain the ocean one thimble at a time Everywhere

she looked another wave rose in an endless sea o widows and ather-

less children awash in grie Why shersquod ever thought she would findthe woman she couldnrsquot imagine

No that wasnrsquot true She knew rom where her hope had issuedAt one time shersquod thought it had been Godrsquos design or her to find

the woman to tell her that her husband hadnrsquot died alone that hersquodloved her to the end Ten to tell her what hersquod said and maybe learn

what hersquod meant But what a silly romantic notion that had proven to beTere was wisdom in knowing when to let go o a dream and even

more in knowing when it had let go o youIt was strange maybe even wrong in a waymdashEleanor wasnrsquot suremdash

but she still carried within her a seed o the love that had poured romthe soldierrsquos lips beore he died It lived inside her its heart still beating

Faintly at times More steadily at othersBut it wasnrsquot a comorting thing Quite the contrary It made her



38 A Beauty So Rare

grateul shersquod never had opportunity to give her heart to a man She

was one o the ortunate ones shersquod concluded Shersquod been spared thegrie o loving and losing Afer speaking to widow afer widow hearingtheir all-too-amiliar and heart-wrenching stories shersquod decided that

contrary to ennysonrsquos requiemmdasha avorite o her atherrsquos to quotemdashitwas truly better to have never loved at all

As the carriage neared the main road she leaned closer to thewindow or a breath o resh air and spotted the sign at the entranceennessee Asylum or the Insane She flinched Te letters were carved

so grandly into a slab o native limestone the rock edifice upon which

it rested so proud looking Te irony wasnrsquot lost on her Neither wasthe act that the wisest wittiest kindest and most practical man shersquod

ever known was now at home within the asylumrsquos wallsA sinking eeling started somewhere around the center o her chest

threatening to pull her under She sat up straighter reminding hersel

o what shersquod told Dr Craword about determining to think positivelyabout the outcome o her atherrsquos treatment

Hoping or any sign at all she looked out the window and searched

the branches hoping to see the cardinal againBut the leafless branches were empty

Marcus met the manrsquos timid stare with challenge sensing he washiding something No doubt at the instruction o the employeersquos su-perior the illustrious mayor o Nashville Augustus E Adlermdasha man

Marcus was loath to depend upon much less give answer to somedayMr Barrett the mayorrsquos nervous little assistant leaned orward his

hands tightly knotted atop the secretaryrsquos deskmdasha Napoleon-style replica

and a poor one at that ldquoI yoursquoll allow me to explain H-Herr GeoffreyrdquoBarrett stumbled over the title his Southern way o speech stretching

the word into two oddly paired syllables instead o one and Marcusrsquos

already-tried patience urther thinned Whenever certain peoplemdashlikeMr Barrettmdashheard the ldquoEuropeanrdquo in his voice as they called it it

seemed to bring out their ldquoSouthern GermanrdquoldquoMr Geoffrey will suffice Mr Barrettrdquo Marcus said his tone man-

aging a hint o cordial ldquoPlease continuerdquo

ldquoOh thank you Mr Geoffrey Tat is most generous o you sirrdquoTe pounding at the back o Marcusrsquos head ratcheted up another

notch at the manrsquos gushing smile





40 A Beauty So Rare

that in Europe But with time and circumstance working against himas they were it was appearing less and less likely he would achieve

success in Nashville eitherA knock on the door drew their attention and a woman entered

ldquoMr Barrett I have tea or yourdquo she said a coyness in her toneTe diminutive brunette shot Marcus a look that lingered Ten she

glanced at Barrett and quickly added ldquoFor both o yourdquoldquoTank you Miss Torntonrdquo Barrett gestured seeming somewhat

relieved by the interruptionTe young woman set the tea service on the desk corner closest

to Marcus and poured slowly oo slowly in Marcusrsquos estimation Buther continued stare in his direction let him know that swifness wasnrsquother intention

She was petite And pretty And most o all she knew it

He doubtedmdashwith his having inherited his parentsrsquo tall staturemdashwhether the young woman would reach him midchest even standing

on tiptoe She was ragile and delicate-looking much like the finechina she held out to him And much too much like Baroness Maria

Elizabeth Albrecht von HaasHis mood darkened at the accompanying memory o the baroness

and their relationship i one could call it that and at the ate await-ing him upon his return to Austria Extending an empire throughmarriage had been a long-standing Habsburg amily tradition and hecould already hear his uncle redrawing the boundary lines

Marcus lifed the cup and drank wishing it were something much

stronger than teamdasheven stout coffee would do

From a young age hersquod grown accustomed to this kind o attentionrom women At first it had ascinated him the way they flocked tohim And with little to no effort on his part As he grew older thatascination turned into an amusement even a sport ldquoTe challenge

o the questrdquo as one o his riends used to sayBut afer what happened with RutgermdashMarcus saw his brotherrsquos ace so clearly in his mind and he swal-

lowed hard strong-arming emotions to keep them at bay Te way hersquod

lived his lie beore the incident seemed almost oreign to him nowYet he couldnrsquot orget And God help himmdashi God was still listening

i God gave second chances to men like him Keeping his gaze to himsel he did nothing to encourage the at-

tention o the young woman beside himFinally she crossed to the door and closed it quietly behind her



AMERA ALEXANDER 41

ldquoI eel certainrdquo Barrett continued ldquothat the mayor will announce

his decision no later than this time next weekrdquoldquoI wish I shared your certainty Mr BarrettrdquoMarcus returned his empty cup to the tray and stood rustrated

with the mayorrsquos delay and eager to be on his way ldquoWhen is MayorAdler scheduled to returnrdquo

ldquoMonday at the latest sirrdquo A flicker o relie sparked Barrettrsquos expres-sion as he gained his eet ldquoIrsquoll tell him you stopped by the moment hedisembarks the train And Irsquoll relay your inquiry regarding the status

o your companyrsquos bid as wellrdquo

Marcus crossed to the door ldquoI yoursquod also be so kind as to inormthe mayor that I along with the other three firms who placed bids ontime and in proper order will be expecting confirmation that this anonymous fifh bidder did the samerdquo

Barrett blinked ldquoYes sir o course Irsquoll relay that request to MayorAdler as well And may I say with utmost sincerity Mr Geoffrey the

mayor would want me to assure you that his office desires to be oassistance in anymdashrdquo

ldquoGood day to you Mr BarrettrdquoMarcus closed the office door behind him not caring to hearBarrettrsquos parting insincerities

Minutes later as he passed the post office on his way out to Belmont

he wished again that his colleague rom Boston Luther Burbank wouldmail the package as promised He didnrsquot think Burbank was holdingout on him

But given the subject o their collaboration there was always that

possibility

ldquoIs you sure you want me to drop you off here Miss Braddock Long

way up to the main house marsquoam And most o it be uphillrdquoldquoYes Irsquom certain Armstead Tank yourdquo

Eleanor accepted his assistance rom the carriage Having already

checked her watch she knew she was early despite the tour o the cityand countryside Armstead had given her Shersquod intended to stay at theasylum to help her ather get settled but since those plans hadnrsquot cometo ruition ldquoMrs Cheatham isnrsquot expecting me or a while yet Andafer all the riding today I welcome the chance to walkrdquo

She wasnrsquot about to arrive so early or an appointment with her



42 A Beauty So Rare

aunt especially her first in years She knew how important punctual-

ity was to Adelicia Acklen Cheatham even i Armstead wasnrsquot awareAlthough seeing Armsteadrsquos thoughtul look she got the inkling he

might ully understandldquoWalkinrsquo itrsquos good or a bodyrdquo he said a smile lingering in the

depths o his voice

On a playul whim she glanced rom side to side as though wor-ried someone might overhear ldquoTough I havenrsquot been here in years Ihavenrsquot been gone so long that Irsquove orgotten my auntrsquoshigh regard or

punctuality I no more want to arrive an hour early at Belmont than

I would a minute laterdquoldquoYes marsquoamrdquo A knowing grin creased his ace ldquoTe Lady likeseverrsquothing runninrsquo on time Tatrsquos or sure She got her schedule andwe best keep to itrdquo

Eleanor smiled eeling an unexpected kinship with the man espe-cially considering what hersquod witnessed earlier today ldquoIrsquoll explore theconservatory or a while then make my way on to the houserdquo

ldquoYes marsquoamrdquo

ldquoAnd Armstead rdquoHe turned backldquoTank you or understanding about what happened with my ather

And or your discretionrdquo

He nodded taking his time to answer ldquoWe all got our roads towalk marsquoam Ainrsquot none o rsquoem pretty all the timerdquo

ldquoNo theyrsquore notrdquo

He tipped his hat to leave then hesitated again ldquoHow rsquobout I wait

rsquotil you come up to the house rsquoore I tote your luggage in Make it allproper likerdquo

ldquoTat would be much appreciated Armsteadrdquo She smiled in gratitudeAs the carriage pulled away Eleanor let her ocus wander the vast

grounds and gardens o the estate until it finally came to rest on themansion atop the hill

Te afernoon sun bathed the enormous Italianate-style villa in a

warm glow giving it a ruddy pinkish hue rom this distance Her aunt

had appropriately named it Belmont Belle Monte in French Beautiulmountain

Moving her gaze downhill Eleanor studied the lavish ormal gar-

dens in ront o the mansion Te gardens were circular in orma-tionmdashthe largest o the three situated nearest the home its counterpartsdescending downhill diminishing in size



AMERA ALEXANDER 43

Marble statuary spaced at random intervalsmdashsometimes besidea cast-iron gazebo other times set apartmdashstood like silent sentinelswatchul over their domain Flowers bordered endless beds the adingsummer palette o crimsons and saffrons purples and pinks clinging

to their petalsmdashthe pink looking ar better on them than it did on her

She scanned the rows o shrubbery looking or a certain plant onetheyrsquod had in their garden back home But it was nowhere to be seenIts flowers being more common in appearance were probably notelegant enough or Belmont but she enjoyed their ragrance

In the distance to the west o the mansion lay an empty plot o

ground where she wouldrsquove sworn another building had stood yearsearlier An art gallery i she remembered correctly But or whatever

reason it was gone nowOn the east side o the mansion a new building was being erectedmdash

the brick building twice as long as it was wide and every bit as stunningas the rest o Belmont

Te estate was more impressive than she rememberedFeeling very smallmdashand out o placemdashshe sighed and turned to

look behind her Te glass-walled conservatory complete with domedcupola that housed Aunt Adeliciarsquos prized collections o flowers and

trees shrubs and herbs appeared to be at least twice the size o theamily home Eleanor had recently sold Tere was no telling the variety

o plants contained within or their costShe ollowed the walkway leading to the main door o the conser-

vatory but beore entering paused and lifed her gaze to the nearby

water tower

Te brick structure well over one hundred eet tall she estimatedreached skyward to the ethereal blue Her ocus trailed to the topwhere a windmill turned in the breeze

As beautiul as Belmont was she hoped her stay would be brie

Tinking o the proposal she had or her auntmdashthe acceptance owhich would enable her to make a way however humble a one orhersel and her athermdashspawned a thread o anxiousness that worked astranglehold around her confidence An odd emotion since ordinarily

she wasnrsquot easily intimidatedBut there was nothing ordinary about Adelicia Acklen Cheatham

Or about BelmontWhen visiting in the past Eleanor had never elt at home But

considering the surroundings who would Te place was like make-believemdashat least in comparison to the world in which she lived



44 A Beauty So Rare

She opened the door to the conservatory and a warm whoosh o

air greeted her Not surprising in view o the glass ceiling and a ullSeptember sun overhead Within seconds the heady scent o rosesenveloped her andmdashunprepared or what she sawmdashshe let the door

close behind her with a sof thudRoses Pots and pots o roses able afer table row afer row Some

o them quite tall obstructing her view to the next aisle and blossomsin every shade imaginablemdashrom deepest crimson to snowiest whiterom golden yellow to palest pink Some varieties lower growing and

shrubby huddled together like riendly neighbors over a ence While

others seemed to raise lofy heads in unabashed pride as i believingthemselves more regalHundreds o blooms perhaps thousands filled this section o the con-

servatory Surely this collection rivaled the very storehouses o heavenAnd yet while she appreciated nature and enjoyed the outdoors

and had even helped her ather tend a vegetable garden years earliershersquod never cared much or flowers Tey were beautiul to be sure

but also rivolous and extravagant What use had they other than to

just look prettyShe breathed the perumed air As much as she hated to admit it

however the scent was nothing less than enchantingReaching the end o the first aisle she turned the corner to start

down the next when she heard voices and stilled She cocked her headto listen but nothing

Certain shersquod heard something she took a step back and looked

down the aisle rom whence shersquod come

But again no oneShe made a quick tour o the remaining rose collection finally

skipping the last two aisles and moved through an open doorwayinto another section o the greenhouse Tis section was filled with

tropical plants but a small grouping o plants in a corner on a tableall their own immediately caught her attention

Tey were some o the ugliest plants shersquod ever seen

O the cacti amily i her guess was correct they were tubular and

gangly without a single bloom She saw a card tacked to the side othe table and leaned down Selenicereus grandiflorus

Her limited study o Latin combined with her almost nonexistentuse o the language since leaving school enabled her to easily pronounce

the words but that was all She had no idea o their translation or othe plantrsquos common name



AMERA ALEXANDER 45

She did however remember her Latin proessor Quite well

Dr Carlton Adessa

Oh how the girls in school had awned over him Teyrsquod called himDr Adonis behind his back afer the mortal god o beauty in Greek

mythology It still seemed unair that a man could be so beautiulDark-eyed and swarthy with an air o confidence that both precededhim and ollowed in his wake Everything about the man had been

attractive At firstWith painul clarity she remembered the day Dr Adessa had passed

her in the hallway Shersquod just returned rom a windy walk and stopped

at a mirror to fix her hair He smiled as he approached and she ner- vously wondered i he would remember her name since shersquod earned

the highest mark on the last exam

Eagerly shoving wayward strands o hair into place she managed asmile And as he passed he said ldquoOne cannot make a silk purse roma sowrsquos ear Miss Braddock Hurry now class is beginningrdquo

Eleanor exhaled a humorless laugh at the memory and recalled

how his attractiveness had changed in her eyes And how the incident

had ramed how she saw hersel tooGrowing up shersquod been called strong sturdy even handsome on

one occasion But pretty was a word that had never been used to de-

scribe her aken individually her eatures werenrsquot completely withoutmerit Her eyes were a deeper brown than most Her blond hair waslong but thin so she braided it into a bun at the base o her neck Hernose was probably her best eaturemdashsimilar to that o the Venus de

Milo shersquod been told

O course she was nearly as tall as the statue o Venus which morethan offset whatever positive there was in the comparison

She sighed She hadnrsquot possessed the courage to offer Dr Adessa aswif rebuttal back then As a young woman shersquod been ar too eager to

please others to earn affirmation But somewhere through the yearsthat had changed Perhaps because shersquod finally learned how impossiblea goal it was to earn everyonersquos approval especially when the worldrsquos

criteria or judging stood so widely separate rom her own

She turned her attention back to the cacti and considered the reasonsher aunt would have such plants in her collection

Knowing better but unable to resist she gently touched a spine onthe cactus then drew her hand back rowning It was sharper than

shersquod imagined Bringing the tip o her orefinger to her mouth she

soothed the sting her admiration or the plant edging up a notch



46 A Beauty So Rare

What it lacked in beauty it made up or in strength and in its ability

to protect itselShe checked the time again Tere was still plenty o time beore

she was due at the house so she turned her attention to the tropi-cal plants rees that would take many men to move i they couldbe moved stood directly beneath the cupola As she continued shepassed a cast-iron ountain topped with an equally cast-iron cobra

coiled and ready to strikeA doorway to her lef with stairs leading down intrigued her But

it was dark so she continued on While the prospect o exploring

underground was appealing the possibility o appearing beore AuntAdelicia with six inches o mud on her hem was not

Gazing ahead she glimpsed yet another room and sighed shakingher head Te conservatory went on orever much like the mansion

did as she remembered Such lavishness By comparison she pictured her atherrsquos ormer vegetable garden

Hersquod ound such enjoyment and relaxation in tending that small patcho land She fingered the waxy lea o a shrub contemplating Perhaps

the asylum would let him plant some tomato and squash plants Andmaybe green beans He loved those

She checked the watch hooked to her bodice A ew minutes andshe would need to make her way up to the mansion

Catching the hint o a amiliar scent she paused She closed her eyesand breathed deeply and was carried back to warm summer nightsas a little girl when her bedroom window was open and the heady

perume o lilacs enveloped her roommdashand her dreams

A simpler time One she missedWhen she opened her eyes the memory aded Lef in its place was a

loneliness keen and sharp-edged and not at all unamiliar Whenevershe thought about her ather about what his uturemdashtheir uturemdash

might hold she questioned i this sense o being adrif orphaned ina sense would ever leave

Knowing what her ather would say i he were there she instinctively

straightened squaring her shoulders ldquoBe practicalrdquo she whispered

ldquoSensible Focus on what is beore you Eleanor Not on what yourimagination attempts to convince you is thererdquo

Working like a talisman the spoken words helped to push the empti-ness away Not banished orever she knew but cordoned off or now

She turned to leave but her ocus ell on a doorwaymdashor morerightly on something through the doorway



AMERA ALEXANDER 47

She stepped closer listening or movement beyond the thresholdand then knocked Te glass door squeaked open an inch or two more

ldquoHellordquo Her voice sounded overloud in the silence her gaze fixedon what appeared to be a surgeonrsquos scalpel on the edge o the table

She waited No answer

Concerned but mostly curious she nudged the door open artherand stepped inside And quickly wondered whether Aunt Adeliciarsquosgardeners were practicing horticulture or medicine

Plants that appeared to be bandaged their roots wrapped in

gauzy strips lined a series o tables on the ar wall Pots o dirt satbehind them as though someone had lef recently and would returnsoon Likewise rows o corked glass bottles each filled with liquid and

labeled in Latin stood shoulder to shoulder on shelves Shiny scalpelseven syringes lay neatly arranged on a cloth

She rowned What kind o gardener needed all omdashldquoI asked you to moisten the root base i it was required not drown

themrdquo

Eleanor nearly jumped out o her skin at the voice urning sheglimpsed two men striding down the aisle toward her Her first instinct

was to hide But where She wasnrsquot about to hide in this infirmaryAnd i she crossed directly in ront o them they would see her

ldquoTe plants will be fine Mr Geoffrey Irsquom certain I did as I thoughtbest Afer all I am the headmdashrdquo

Te taller man still several yards away stopped abruptly and turnedhis back to her ldquoI know who you are Mr Gray And Irsquom well aware o

your position hererdquo He blew out a breathFeeling like a naughty child in danger o being caught Eleanor did

her best to blend in with the greenery wishing shersquod worn anything but

pink She didnrsquot dare move lest the rustle o her skirts give her awayldquoNext timerdquo the taller man continued a oreign accent giving the

words an even harsher edge ldquodo as I instruct not as you think bestAnd try it without the bottle Tat will helprdquo Te man uttered some-thing unintelligible ldquoNever mind Tere wonrsquot be a next time I donrsquot

want you touching any o the plants in themdashrdquoTe man acing her suddenly raised his hand And with a shudder

Eleanor realized he was looking directly at her



Praise for Tamerarsquos Novels

ldquoo put it simply Tis book is a ull-on HIrdquo

mdashUSA oday about A Lasting Impression

ldquoamera Alexander has once again written a novel rich in storytellingand history peopled with living breathing characters who made me

laugh and cry Better than sweet tea on a veranda A Lasting Impres-sion is a winner I want to live at Belmontrdquo

mdashFrancine Rivers New York imes best-selling authoro Redeeming Love about A Lasting Impression

ldquo amera Alexander crafs a pleasing and well-written romance that isfilled with adventure and intrigue Subtly weaving in the main char-

acterrsquos steadast aith in God the book is ull o aith and ull o lieReaders who enjoy romantic novels but also want to eel inspired will

definitely enjoy this satisying readrdquo

mdashPublishers Weekly about Within My Heart

ldquoamera Alexander paints vivid scenes not with oils on canvas but

with words on the page as she sweeps us away to the caeacutes o NewOrleans and the hills o ennessee In Claire Laurent we find a true

artist ever doubting her talents ever questioning her calling And inSutton Monroe we meet a hero whose bright mind is eclipsed only byhis tender heart A lovely story sure to please anyone who treasures

a good romancerdquo

mdashLiz Curtis Higgs New York imes bestselling authoro Mine Is the Night about A Lasting Impression

ldquo Rich in period details and set in Nashvillersquos historic Belmont Mansionthis historical romance by RIA and Christy Award winner Alexander

is a sure bet rdquo

mdashLibrary Journal Review about A Lasting Impression




A B983141983148983149983151983150983156 M983137983150983155983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148


A Beauty So Rare

F983151983157983150983156983137983145983150 C983154983141983141983147 C983144983154983151983150983145983139983148983141983155

Rekindled

Revealed

Remembered

983145983149983138983141983154 R983145983140983143983141 R983141983142983148983141983139983156983145983151983150983155

From a Distance

Beyond Tis Moment

Within My Heart

W983151983149983141983150 983151983142 F983137983145983156983144 F983145983139983156983145983151983150

Te Inheritance

A B983141983148983148983141 M983141983137983140983141 P983148983137983150983156983137983156983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148

o Whisper Her Name




A Beauty So Rare

983124AMERA

ALEXANDER

5







wwwbethanyhousecom














publisher

ISBN 978-0-7642-0623-8 (pbk)




PS3601L3563B43 2014

813 6mdashdc23 2013047195








14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 4 3 2 1










Preface













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo














A B983141983148983149983151983150983156 M983137983150983155983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148


A Beauty So Rare

F983151983157983150983156983137983145983150 C983154983141983141983147 C983144983154983151983150983145983139983148983141983155

Rekindled

Revealed

Remembered

983145983149983138983141983154 R983145983140983143983141 R983141983142983148983141983139983156983145983151983150983155

From a Distance

Beyond Tis Moment

Within My Heart

W983151983149983141983150 983151983142 F983137983145983156983144 F983145983139983156983145983151983150

Te Inheritance

A B983141983148983148983141 M983141983137983140983141 P983148983137983150983156983137983156983145983151983150 N983151983158983141983148

o Whisper Her Name




A Beauty So Rare

983124AMERA

ALEXANDER

5







wwwbethanyhousecom














publisher

ISBN 978-0-7642-0623-8 (pbk)




PS3601L3563B43 2014

813 6mdashdc23 2013047195








14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 4 3 2 1










Preface













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo














A Beauty So Rare

983124AMERA

ALEXANDER

5







wwwbethanyhousecom














publisher

ISBN 978-0-7642-0623-8 (pbk)




PS3601L3563B43 2014

813 6mdashdc23 2013047195








14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 4 3 2 1










Preface













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo

















wwwbethanyhousecom














publisher

ISBN 978-0-7642-0623-8 (pbk)




PS3601L3563B43 2014

813 6mdashdc23 2013047195








14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 4 3 2 1










Preface













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo




















Preface













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













Prologue

D983141983139983141983149983138983141983154 983089983093 983089983096983094983092

A C983151983150983142983141983140983141983154983137983156983141 983142983145983141983148983140 983144983151983155983152983145983156983137983148 983155983151983149983141 983140983145983155983156983137983150983139983141 983142983154983151983149 983156983144983141

983148983145983150983141 983151983142 983138983137983156983156983148983141

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141












10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













10 A Beauty So Rare























AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 11





in these tents
















12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













12 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 13


can be donerdquo























14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













14 A Beauty So Rare











she unwrapped it








Or had been loved








AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEX ANDER 15
















his expression







16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













16 A Beauty So Rare








So many





count or something




1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













1

S983141983152983156983141983149983138983141983154 983090 983089983096983094983096

N983137983155983144983158983145983148983148983141 T983141983150983150983141983155983155983141983141















18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













18 A Beauty So Rare


















































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo






































20 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 21









ldquoSirrdquo

Marcus turned









morningrdquo






22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













22 A Beauty So Rare



about his neck
































AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 23


He had changed
























24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













24 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 25










2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













2















AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 27

























28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













28 A Beauty So Rare


























AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 29























30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













30 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 31








3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













3










































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo





































34 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 35














enhancingrdquo








brownrdquo



36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













36 A Beauty So Rare













And yet













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 37

























38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













38 A Beauty So Rare


























40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo















40 A Beauty So Rare






















AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 41













possibility








42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













42 A Beauty So Rare




depths o his voice





















AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 43













water tower









44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













44 A Beauty So Rare

























AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 45


Dr Carlton Adessa
























46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













46 A Beauty So Rare
























AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo













AMERA ALEXANDER 47









themrdquo











a beauty so rare

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