Today's spotlight is on Bethany Swafford's new release, A Chaotic Courtship.
Back Cover Blurb:
Twenty year old Diana
Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and
uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from
London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their
acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes
on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds
herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous
members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in
love with the charming Mr. Richfield.
Excerpt:
“You
recall I met a Mr. Richfield in London, shortly after I first arrived?”
“Yes,
you mentioned him several times in your letters.”
Her
tone was matter of fact, giving absolutely nothing away.
“Well...”
I hesitated as I sought the right words. I rubbed my palms against my skirt.
“At Aunt Forester’s last dinner party, Mr. Richfield asked for my permission to
come speak to Father.”
For
a moment, there was silence. “What was your answer?” Mother asked, as calm as
ever.
I
bit my lip and found I could no longer meet her gaze. “I fear I may have spoken
without thinking.” Back when I had said the words, I had been surprised. Now
though, I realized just how mistaken I had been. “I said it’s always pleasant
to have someone new visit.”
“I
see. Do you like him?”
Ah,
there was the question. “I think so.” I took a deep breath and let it out
slowly. “He is respectable, at least as far as Uncle Forester could discover.
No one ever had a word to say against him. I think he is a good man.”
“And
yet, you don’t seem enthusiastic about marrying him.”
“I
have only known him for a few weeks.” It felt good to be able to talk this out
with my mother, now that the awkwardness of saying the words had passed. If
anyone could help me untangle my feelings, it was her. “Is that enough time to
know a person? You knew Papa your whole life before he proposed.”
Mother’s
hand came over mine. “Diana, look at me.” I lifted my eyes to hers. “You are
the only one who can make this decision. It is your right to refuse an offer
you find distasteful. However, you need to understand it is not likely you will
have the opportunity to travel again and meet other people.”
“I
don’t find the offer distasteful. I just don’t think I know him well enough to
accept his hand in marriage.” I sighed. “I wish I had had the time to know more
of him.”
“Perhaps
you will.”
I
shook my head. That seemed an impossibility. “Mama, you didn’t see the look on
his face when I pretended I didn’t understand. He was so disappointed. I acted
as if I were a senseless, empty-headed child! What kind of man would pursue me
in the face of that?”
“A
man who would be understanding. Someone who would realize your shy nature.”
As
soon as I pulled my hand away, I reached to pour myself some much-needed tea.
“There are other, much prettier girls with better dowries than I,” I remarked,
adding just the right amount of cream and sugar. “I doubt I will ever see him
again.”
Of
that I was quite certain. I’d had hours to consider the whole mess. I sipped my
tea as I watched my mother’s face. Her smile was one I couldn’t quite
understand. Why did she look so amused?
“Mr.
Richfield is already here.”
Buy Links
Author’s
Bio:
For as long as she can remember,
Bethany Swafford has loved reading books. That love of words extended to
writing as she grew older and when it became more difficult to find a ‘clean’
book, she determined to write her own. Among her favorite authors is Jane
Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer.
When she doesn’t have pen
to paper (or fingertips to laptop keyboard), she can generally be found with a
book in hand. In her spare time, Bethany reviews books for a book site called
More Than A Review.
Social
Media Links:
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6420812.Bethany_Swafford?from_search=true
