A Bride for Daniel Read online

  A Bride for Daniel

  A Proxy Bride Christmas

  Ginny Sterling

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Lawfully Pledged

  Lawfully Yours

  An Agent for Gillian

  An Agent for Meghan

  About the Author

  Introduction

  Emma Butler is devastated to find her life spiraling out of her control. She is married by proxy at the moment war begins in her own home of Lexington, Massachusetts. The ‘shot heard round the world’ is volleyed directly in front of her, leaving her an orphan. To make matters even more tragic, her new husband never arrives to claim her. The ideas of life, liberty, and happiness seem so far away as she struggles to get by in a world she no longer recognizes. Just when things begin to settle down, she comes face to face with her missing groom, Daniel Knox.

  Daniel Knox has had his life put forcibly on hold when he is pressed into service for the King’s Navy. Betrayed, alone, and with nowhere to go – he heads for the one spark of hope that he remembers from years ago, praying for a second chance at happiness with Emma, his Proxy Bride.

  Praise for Ginny Sterling

  What can I say except I absolutely loved this story, I laughed out loud and I shed emotional tears.” – Amazon Reviewer (Lawfully Gifted)

  “This series has quickly become one my favorites. Love the storyline, love the characters, love the back stories and love the sweet romance between each couple.” – Amazon Reviewer (Remember Love)

  “What an amazing start to a new series, Healing Hearts, a clean contemporary and extremely emotional tale. I loved the characters, the angst, and the honest discussions, along with the chemistry and interactions. The people are broken, but with encouragement, friendship, and the added benefit of animals, it is the beginnings for healing.” – Amazon Reviewer (Remember Hope)

  Chapter One

  April 1775

  Lexington, Massachusetts

  Emma Butler stared in shock at the strange man before her. He was claiming to be there to marry her to her betrothed by proxy. She’d been promised to the youngest Knox son by her father in order to secure trade in Baltimore six months ago. The Knox family had been a prominent family until George Knox succumbed to consumption. She’d heard rumors that the rest of the family had fallen ill as well - causing her father to despair for security of his company during these troubled times. He’d ranted about how much it would cost the family due to the increased taxes and that ‘cursed John Hancock causing problems in Boston’.

  “Miss? The preacher is waiting and I’ve got to be on my way,” the militiaman claimed impatiently, tossing a strap that held his gun over his shoulder. “I promised Daniel that since I was headed this way, I’d step in by proxy so you would have his name until he could be present of his own accord.”

  “I wasn’t aware Mr. Knox was so incapacitated that he could not attend his own wedding,” Emma said plainly, trying to hide the frustration in her voice. She actually wasn’t keen on the fact that she was marrying a stranger at all. Gathering a shawl about her shoulders, she saw the disappointed look her father gave her and knew the marriage would go on regardless of her thoughts.

  “Let’s be on our way now… please?” he stressed, causing Emma to glance at him again in surprise. He wore a woven shirt that had seen better days, what looked to be threadbare pants, and a jacket that had been patched repeatedly. His tricorn was perched on his dark head almost in an arrogant fashion that reminded her of her brother, Samuel, who had also been active in the growing militia nearby. The world she knew was a powder keg, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation of unrest.

  “Emma, do not tarry any longer – this man is needed elsewhere and you’ve known this moment was coming for a while now. Hurry along - Samuel will be meeting us at the Common,” her father commanded, sliding his own gun into his holster that hung on his hip.

  “Yes sir.”

  With those words, Emma dutifully followed her father and the unknown militiaman towards a minister who waited nearby under an awning. She started because it was some of the upper-class that were married by minister. Hand-fasting was not unheard of, nor was it uncommon to have the banns cried publicly and then a small ceremony held. Ministers were hard to come by at times, and he also looked to be slightly uneasy as well. Was this to be her life? A series of discomforts and a sense of impending dread?

  “Where is Mr. Knox? Is he on his way here or am I to travel to Baltimore?”

  “He’s ill.”

  “Ague?”

  “Typhoid.”

  “Oh,” Emma breathed, almost feeling a bit guilty. She may never meet her mysterious groom then. Typhoid was deadly and quite debilitating – and highly contagious. She stepped away nervously. “You’ve seen Mr. Knox then? Is he so very bad off?”

  “Quite.”

  “If you are done, daughter,” her father said pointedly, “Munroe, Samuel, and I must be off quickly.”

  Moments later, Emma Butler Knox was a married woman and within hours – an orphan. Her hunch that war was coming sprang to life as the common green where she was married, exploded into a nightmare. Shots were fired, and several men were brought low by bayonet. Munroe, the man who’d stood in place for Daniel, lay dead in the grass not far away from where she sat holding her father’s hand. Her brother Samuel stared sightlessly up at the heavens above. Emma vaguely heard the minister urging her to move away from the scene.

  “Mistress Knox? Mistress Knox, you must come away quickly!”

  Startled, Emma realized that he was talking to her. Getting to her feet, she backed away from the minister who held out his hand towards her. She needed time to process what was happening and get away from the mass chaos that was ensuing. Her father and brother lay dead feet from where she stood. There were soldiers everywhere, pushing people angrily and shouting obscenities.

  Her safety was first now that she was alone and her father wouldn’t be there to take care of her. To be honest, neither of the men who’d promised protection could help her at this point. Her father and brother were gone and her husband was ill, possibly dying, miles away from here in Baltimore.

  Emma was alone and wasn’t sure what to do anymore.

  Daniel couldn’t breathe.

  The fever raging inside of him made his body feel like it had been chucked into the nearby fireplace and he couldn’t get out. It had started as a mild fever but then the spots appeared on his chest along with the vomiting. The headaches and abdominal pain flared up about a week later, leaving him practically confined to his bed in his home. His older brother had left to handle business in New York before their father’s death, leaving him to handle the family business here in town. His father’s dying wish had been most fervent – “make the Knox name proud” – he’d whispered before he’d slipped away. He’d sent word to Alden but had yet to hear from him.

  The sheer volume of what running a business was like and how his father had managed it on his own was humbling. He knew his father had worked long hours, but Daniel had found himself rarely sleeping. He’d had to fire the assistant his father had when Daniel discovered he was pilfering the stock for his own profit.

  He needed help.

  The only way Daniel could see the herculean task being manageable was to give in and marry the chit his father had promised him too. Miss Butler had been tutored and could both read and cipher – relatively unheard of for a woman in the colonies. He needed to have someone at
his side that was vested in making sure the company succeeded and with Alden gone, it needed to be another family member who wouldn’t rob him blind nor usurp his inheritance for themselves like his uncle.

  Daniel had seen the greed in his uncle’s gaze at his father’s funeral and knew that the older man assumed it would be easy to pluck the company from his nephew. This would not be the case. The Knox name would live on, grow, and profit – or he would die trying to make a ‘go’ of it.

  A small dry chuckle of desperation erupted from him uncontrollably as he realized that the ‘die trying’ part might actually happen – and part of the reason he’d sent his friend William Munroe for Miss Butler. He could trust no one else in his world right now – especially with the threat of war erupting in the northeast.

  He’d heard about the desperation of the colonists in Boston and the talk of emancipation from England. The idea of the colonies becoming their own country seemed overwhelming and terrifying. He knew his father thought of him as immature and soft. He wasn’t as independent or strong as his brother Alden. His brother reminded him of his father – liked by all with a streak of stubbornness that could be infuriating at times. No, Daniel was more like his mother, favoring her in both his appearance and temperament. He was calm, steady, and methodical to his approach in everything where his brother would throw himself into the middle of a brawl just because he was looking for a fight.

  “Daniel? Are you home, nephew?”

  Exhausted, Daniel fought the nausea and pain tearing through him and sat up in his bed. His uncle’s voice carried up the stairs and gave him goosebumps. Why had he come? His uncle never showed up here unless he wanted something. His sleepshirt clung to his sweaty body and his vision blackened at the edges as he stood up and jerked on some pants that were lying on a stool near his bed. Steadying himself, Daniel quickly tucked in the nightshirt in an attempt to make himself somewhat presentable.

  “Just a moment, Uncle Percy. I will be right down,” he said, trying to keep the weakness out of his voice. He needed less than ten minutes on his feet without vomiting or feeling the impending flux rush through his body once again. Ten good solid minutes – that was it.

  “I’m not feeling the best, so I wouldn’t tarry long. What do you need?” Daniel asked from the top of the stairs before descending. He saw his uncle standing there at the base of the stairs and thought it was ironic that the man was dressed in his finest. His uncle was a slippery one and he didn’t trust him in the slightest.

  “I’ve an opportunity for you.”

  Taking the first few steps, his head swam and he swallowed back the bile that threatened. Breathe, step forward, and breathe again, he coached himself silently. Today was actually the first day where he’d felt slightly better than he had been. He’d actually thought he might pass away two nights ago when the chills were so violent his teeth shook, causing him to bite his tongue.

  “What opportunity is that?” Daniel asked, hating how exhausted he sounded right now. His hands shook as he slid them along the bannister and he thought about sitting down right there on the stairs. ‘You are a Knox – stand tall, son,’ his father’s voice echoed in his head. He would not show any weakness before his uncle nor anyone else. As he got to the bottom of the stairs, he stopped and took several deep breaths to keep from passing out. He needed water, something to eat other than broth, and sleep.

  “The opportunity to serve your country, boy,” his uncle said in a voice that made Daniel’s skin crawl. “These fine men are here to ensure the Knox family’s loyalty to the Crown.”

  “Of course, we are loyal – what are you talking about?” Daniel asked, shaking his head to dispel the black spots in his vision. Blinking, he saw the soldiers standing in the entryway of the storefront holding guns equipped with bayonets.

  “Is he sickly?” one of the soldiers asked warily, eyeing Daniel.

  “Yes.”

  “No. The boy has always had a weak constitution like his mother. Time with his Majesty’s navy will make a man out of him,” his uncle said, grabbing him by the upper arm. Daniel tried to jerk his arm from his grip but only succeeded in nearly falling to his knees.

  “See how soft he is? Pathetic.”

  “We’ll take it from here,” the soldier said as Daniel felt his heart hammer in his chest as he realized that these men were taking him away. He was being pressed into service and practically handed over on a platter by his own uncle!

  “You can’t do this, Uncle Percy!”

  “Don’t worry, Daniel. I will take good care of your father’s legacy while you make the family name proud. I’m too old or I would be serving the King as well.”

  “Alden is coming home – he’ll kill you for this,” Daniel said, grasping at straws. He hadn’t heard from his brother yet and knew it was a false threat. “I’ll have your hide if you do this to me.”

  “You hear that?” his uncle scoffed, “The little pup has a bit of a bite to him. He’ll make a fine man someday once he’s toughened up. Take him. God save the King and our great country. Now, stand tall Daniel and make the Knox family proud.”

  “Don’t do this… please. I’m still getting over my bout of typho… oomph,” Daniel grunted as something hard hit the back of his head. Overwhelming pain exploded in his head that was already aching fiercely, causing his knees to buckle. He never felt himself hit the floor as he passed out.

  Chapter Two

  1776

  Lexington, Massachusetts

  1 year later

  “May I help you sir?”

  Emma Knox carefully eyed the dark-haired man that entered her storefront. She carefully slipped her hands into the pockets on her gown just underneath her apron. Time and experience told her to trust her gut instincts and this man had a dangerous air to him. She palmed the dagger in her pocket and waited with a polite smile.

  The Duval flintlock pistol she’d stolen off of a redcoats body that she’d come across traveling on the road to Concord was under the counter, within reach. She’d seen the corpse and had been terrified that whomever had done the deed would be back or discover her coming upon the scene. She’d plucked the pistol and tugged her horse into the copse of trees quickly, waiting there silently for an unknown amount of time.

  “I’m looking for Emma Butler. She might be going by the name of Emma Knox,” he said softly, staring at her with a hard look to his eyes. Freezing in place, her eyes glanced over him again, looking for any indication that she might know him. He was wearing a brown woolen jacket that had seen better days, yet on his feet were almost new riding boots.

  “Who, might I say is asking for her?” she said coldly, stepping forward and reaching for the pistol with her right hand ever so slowly. The man moved quickly and pulled a pistol from the inside of his coat in the silence of the storefront. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him, unmoving.

  “I would not touch whatever arms you have hidden under there, miss. I would not want to shoot a young lady, but these are trying times…” his voice trailed off as he stared at her. Emma slowly backed her hand away from the gun and held it aloft.

  “There’s not much here for you to take.”

  “I’m not taking anything – as I said: I’m looking for someone in particular.”

  “You aren’t the only one that has come here looking for Emma,” she said cautiously and saw him frown. “Who exactly are you?”

  “I’m Alden Knox,” he said gingerly, watching her carefully. “…And my brother, Daniel, was betrothed to Miss Butler long ago.”

  “Daniel isn’t here,” she whispered softly, staring at him in shock. “I am Emma. We were married by proxy a year ago. I’ve never met your brother.”

  “He’s a smart one and can take care of himself,” Alden said gruffly, looking away for a moment before taking a deep breath. He slipped the gun back into the holster easily and leaned against a table nearby that was stacked with bolts of fabric. “I was really hoping to find him here or discover he’d bee
n to you at some point. Who else has come looking for you?”

  “The bigger question is why are they looking for me?”

  “Daniel and I inherited our father’s company to be shared between us – from what I understand it’s not doing so well since my uncle took over.”

  “Why would he take over? Shouldn’t you be there handling it if it’s your inheritance?”

  “My uncle said that Daniel was captured by the redcoats and pressed into service,” Alden said with barely veiled disgust, shaking his head. “I just hope that once the war is over that he’ll be freed - if he’s still alive. I’m no good with numbers and would ruin the ledgers with mistakes.”

  “I understand,” she admitted slowly, studying the man. He wasn’t bad looking, but definitely had an edge to him that bordered on scary. Dark hair, dark eyes, strong jawline and broad shoulders. Would Daniel resemble him – if he was still alive? It had been one year since her marriage by proxy and she felt silly holding out hope for a stranger to come. She dreamt sometimes that a faceless man would rescue her from the overwhelming task it was to manage her father’s storefront – yet he never appeared.

  “What are you doing here? Just traveling through and decided to meet your sister by marriage suddenly after a year?” she asked keenly and saw him grin at her candid question.

  “I thought perhaps I would meet you and we could come to a business arrangement between family, if you are up to it? It’s a dangerous game played nowadays,” he murmured pointedly. “Is there somewhere we could speak freely and in private, sister? I’ve learned that the walls have ears and I’ve no desire to stretch my neck any time soon.”