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

by Mimi Matthews

“I dislike suffering for no purpose. Pain and sacrifice should come to something in the end. It should have meaning.”

What you need is a steady diet of adventure stories and revenge plots. Suffering always has meaning in those types of books.”

She gave him a long, searching look. “Is that why we loathe the place?” We. Justin’s chest expanded on an almost painful surge of emotion. He couldn’t tell if it was relief or—worse—if it was gratitude. All she’d said was we. It was hardly a declaration of undying affection, but to him, in that moment, it was everything. “Yes. That’s the reason.”

“There are advantages to being a sixty-year-old woman.” “Are there indeed.” “Of course.” She proceeded to enumerate them with the ease of someone who’d given the matter a great deal of thought. “Freedom. Independence. The ability to go where she likes and do what she likes. The ability to be as eccentric as she wishes.”

“But it wasn’t just any man at the King’s Arms,” she said softly. “It was you, Justin. It was you.”

“Yes. And because you’re you. A lady who makes me smile. Who’s kind and thoughtful and loyal as all hell. A lady whose hand fits perfectly in mine. And who returns my kisses so very sweetly. For all of those reasons, yes. I’d go to the ends of the earth for you, Helena. You must know that.”

“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.”

When this was all over, he was going to have to let her go. It was the only thing he could do. When you cared for someone, you made the sacrifice. They didn’t have to ask for it. You made it regardless. Even if it left you desolate. Even if it broke your heart.