Lady Constance Morrow is the daughter of an Earl. She’s also a budding mathematician and a bit of a hoyden — characteristics which lead to her confinement on a ship bound for America carrying felons to work as indentured servants in the colonies.
In Virginia, she meets and marries God-fearing farmer Drew O’Connor, little knowing the damage his tragic past has caused him. They agree that theirs will be a marriage in name only… but will they be able to hold out against the love that is growing between them?
And will they be able to learn to live together with the differences in their upbringings, their cultures, and their personal histories to contend with? Love may not be enough in the face of the harshness of life in Colonial Virginia.
A Bride Most Begrudging contains clever math problems, interesting takes on history, compelling characters, drama, and a sweet love story that should appeal to fans of romance and historical novels alike. The setting is thoroughly described, with a wealth of detail, and the people are believable.
The story brings up a number of thought provoking elements, from interpretations of scripture to the relationships among the British, the American colonists, and the Native Americans, to the places of men and women in society.
Readers may be tempted to read more about the history of the colonies after enjoying this book, but the research doesn’t intrude or overshadow the pleasure of reading the story.
This book won the Christy Award.