The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon, #1)

by Mimi Matthews

At some point, she must simply put her faith and her trust in a man. The prospect frightened Helena more than any ghost ever could.

Somehow, in a very short span of time, his presence had become essential to her happiness. To her sense of safety and well-being. She needed to be with him. To hear his voice and feel the touch of his hand holding hers.

“It’s a special bond. A kinship of shared memories and experience. But it’s more than that. Oh, I can’t explain it.” She struggled for the right words. “It’s…It’s when you see a person and your spirits lift. When their happiness means more to you than your own. When you’d do anything for them, sacrifice anything, even if the sacrifice would hurt you or make you unhappy.”

“If they loved you in return, they wouldn’t ask for such a sacrifice.” “They wouldn’t have to ask,” she said. “You’d give it regardless.”

all that rot about husbands and wives spending most of the evening apart was damned ridiculous. Obviously such rules were promulgated by people in unhappy marriages.

It’s dreadful to depend on other people. No matter how kind they are, you always feel beholden. As if you’re an object of charity.”

“Anywhere you are is my home.”