Carolyn Davidson - The Midwife

Cover Page

Excerpt “I’m not a female who will cling and ask favors of a man. “I’ll do my duty by your children and your house. That’s what you told me you expected of me.” His eyes narrowed. “I think we’ll come to an understanding eventually, ma’am. In the meantime, we’ll just have to work it out as we go.” She was a magnificent specimen of womanhood, he decided. Standing tall, as if her spine were made of finest steel, yet only reaching his shoulder in height. She was a strong woman, carrying a graceful figure, with hair not quite golden, but rather, streaked and honey-colored. Her eyes were the true blue of her ancestors, her slender body well-proportioned. And then he allowed his gaze to scan the length of her. Her cheeks had turned more than rosy with his scrutiny, and she pursed her mouth. “Do I pass muster, sir?”

Dear Reader Dear Reader, This month we’re celebrating love “against all odds” with these four powerful romances! Carolyn Davidson’s voice has a warmth to it that always assures a happily-ever-after for her characters, even during moments of great adversity. Set in Minnesota, The Midwife is the poignant story of Leah Gunderson, a young “spinster” fleeing from her past as a midwife, and Garlan Lundstrom, the taciturn farmer who presses Leah into helping care for his newborn after his wife dies in labor. Leah has secretly admired Garlan from afar, which makes it all the more complicated when he proposes a marriage in name only… Lady of the Knight by rising star Tori Phillips tells the tale of a courtly knight who buys a “soiled dove” and wagers that he can pass her off as a noble lady in ten days’ time. The more difficult charade, though, lies in ignoring their feelings for one another! Catherine Archer returns with Winter’s Bride, a medieval novel about a noble lady, long thought dead, whose past and present collide when she is reunited with her beloved and overcomes her amnesia. Rounding out the month is Barbara Leigh’s The Surrogate Wife, set in the Carolinas in the late 1700s. In this story of forbidden love, the heroine is wrongly convicted of murdering the hero’s wife, and is sentenced to life as his indentured servant… Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historicals® novel. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Title Page The Midwife Carolyn Davidson www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CAROLYN DAVIDSON Reading and writing have always been major interests in Carolyn Davidson’s life. Even during the years of raising children and working a full-time job, she found time to read voraciously. However, her writing consisted of letters and an occasional piece of poetry. Now that the nest is empty, except for three grandchildren, she has turned to writing as an occupation. Her family, friends and church blend to make a most fulfilling existence for this South Carolina author. And most important is her husband of many years, the man who gives her total support and an abundance of love to draw on for inspiration. A charter member of the Lowcountry Romance Writers of America, she has found a community of soul mates who share her love of books, and whose support is invaluable. Watch for her next Harlequin Historical novel, The Bachelor Tax, coming in January. She enjoys hearing from her readers at P.O. Box 2757, Goose Creek, SC 29445-2757, and promises to answer your letter.

Acknowledgments The Midwife came into being because of my granddaughter, Rachel, a wonderful young lady who aspires to that profession. When she asked me to write a book about a midwife, I agreed to consider it, and was surprised and delighted when she sent me a brief outline of a story. Although I chugged down a different road and steered in different directions than she, and even though I added characters I thought were important to my book, this is basically Rachel’s midwife story. To her I dedicate the total effort, with all good wishes that her dream will one day be fulfilled. And as always, to Mr. Ed, who loves me.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Copyright

“I’ll do my duty by your children and your house. That’s what you told me you expected of me.”

His eyes narrowed. “I think we’ll come to an understanding eventually, ma’am. In the meantime, we’ll just have to work it out as we go.”

She was a magnificent specimen of womanhood, he decided. Standing tall, as if her spine were made of finest steel, yet only reaching his shoulder in height. She was a strong woman, carrying a graceful figure, with hair not quite golden, but rather, streaked and honey-colored. Her eyes were the true blue of her ancestors, her slender body well-proportioned. And then he allowed his gaze to scan the length of her.

Her cheeks had turned more than rosy with his scrutiny, and she pursed her mouth. “Do I pass muster, sir?”

Dear Reader,

This month we’re celebrating love “against all odds” with these four powerful romances!

Carolyn Davidson’s voice has a warmth to it that always assures a happily-ever-after for her characters, even during moments of great adversity. Set in Minnesota, The Midwife is the poignant story of Leah Gunderson, a young “spinster” fleeing from her past as a midwife, and Garlan Lundstrom, the taciturn farmer who presses Leah into helping care for his newborn after his wife dies in labor. Leah has secretly admired Garlan from afar, which makes it all the more complicated when he proposes a marriage in name only…

Lady of the Knight by rising star Tori Phillips tells the tale of a courtly knight who buys a “soiled dove” and wagers that he can pass her off as a noble lady in ten days’ time. The more difficult charade, though, lies in ignoring their feelings for one another! Catherine Archer returns with Winter’s Bride, a medieval novel about a noble lady, long thought dead, whose past and present collide when she is reunited with her beloved and overcomes her amnesia.

Rounding out the month is Barbara Leigh’s The Surrogate Wife, set in the Carolinas in the late 1700s. In this story of forbidden love, the heroine is wrongly convicted of murdering the hero’s wife, and is sentenced to life as his indentured servant…

Whatever your tastes in reading, you’ll be sure to find a romantic journey back to the past between the covers of a Harlequin Historicals® novel.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Harlequin Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Reading and writing have always been major interests in Carolyn Davidson’s life. Even during the years of raising children and working a full-time job, she found time to read voraciously. However, her writing consisted of letters and an occasional piece of poetry. Now that the nest is empty, except for three grandchildren, she has turned to writing as an occupation.