Bonus Content
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
Margaret descended two flights of stairs. Then, passing silently along the ground floor on her way to the basement steps, she heard muffled voices coming from the study and paused outside its door, which was slightly ajar. She sidled closer and pressed her ear to the crack.
“I have tried.” Marcus’s voice.
“Then try harder.” Sterling.
“What would you have me do? I have been as charming and attentive as I know how. She does not like me.”
“She once did. When you first came.”
“Well, apparently she has revised her opinion. She is cold to me now.”
“Then warm her. Have I not placed you here under my very roof? Given you every opportunity?”
Marcus grumbled something Margaret did not hear.
“And last night I saw her talking with Lewis Upchurch. A man who paid her every attention earlier this season. I fear she will stir his interest again, and we shall lose her.”
“Lose her money, you mean.”
“Need I remind you that whoever marries the chit will control her inheritance?”
“But if she does not marry, she will control it herself.”
“And no doubt spend it on gewgaws and falderals and I know not what.” A glass clinked against the table. Sterling’s voice had risen, but he moderated it once more. “I shall instruct Murdoch not to allow Upchurch to call—nor any other gentlemen, for that matter.”
“And I tell you, Uncle, Lewis Upchurch is no longer interested in Margaret.”
“Let us hope you are right. Even so, if you have botched things as badly as you say, we can’t have her eloping with some opportunistic buck while we’re not paying heed.”
Marcus said, “A good thing the inheritance is a well-kept secret. If everyone knew, men would be beating down our doors.” Sarcasm curled his voice. “If only you had known, Uncle.”
“You forget yourself, Marcus.” Sterling’s cool voice held an undercurrent of warning. “Now,” he gritted out, “I don’t care how you do it, just get her to marry you.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Did I not pay for your education, Marcus? Can you really be such a simpleton?”
“What do you mean?”
“Come now. Charm and flattery never fail, at least where Macy women are concerned. Woo her, flatter her, make love to her…"
Marcus hissed, “But she is a lady.”
“And will be restored to respectability as soon as she weds you.” Margaret pressed a hand over her mouth, stifling a cry of outrage and swallowing the acid climbing her throat.
Milk forgotten, she stole back upstairs. The vile lechers!
Reaching her room, Margaret pushed a chair against the door, doubting it would slow a man for long. She paced back and forth across her bedchamber.
From THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL by Julie Klassen. Bethany House Publishers a division of Baker Publishing Group. Copyright © 2012 by Julie Klassen. Used by permission. All rights to this material are reserved. Material is not to be reproduced, scanned, copied, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from Baker Publishing Group. http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
In The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, bestselling author Julie Klassen has written a compelling novel of romance and danger in a 19th-century English manor.
To escape being married off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, Margaret will receive an inheritance that will give her the freedom to live life as she wishes.
She never planned on working as a servant—and certainly not in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning Lewis, his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret struggles to perform the first real work she has ever done, determined to keep her identity secret.
Observing both brothers as an “invisible” servant, Margaret learns that she may have misjudged Nathaniel, but fears it’s too late to rekindle his feelings for her. Then, when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who is responsible.
Should she come forward at the risk of her reputation—and perhaps her life? Can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding as she learns to look past appearances to find the meaning of “serve one another in love.”
Hardcover : 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers ( January 01, 2012 )
Item #: 13-531307
ISBN: 9781617936135
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.937inches
Product Weight: 15.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Loved it! 
March 10, 2012
It was the first Julie Klassen book I've read. I loved it being set in England in the early 1800's. I never realized how hard servants back then worked. It was hard to put it down. I bought 2 of her other books and am reading them now. Hope I can find the earliest 2. I've visited England and would have liked a map of the places mentioned, real or imagined.
Reviewer: Carolyn C
Very enjoyable!!
February 24, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book because of the detail of the time period it was set in and the detailed description of the characters. Want to read more of Julie Klassen's books.
Reviewer: Marcia V
A great read!
February 17, 2012
A book to enjoy, and it was hard to put down till the end.
Reviewer: Super K
February 10, 2012
Enjoyed this very much, as I do all her books.
Reviewer: Judy K
February 09, 2012
I love Julie Klassen's books, she does such a great job researching the time periods she writes about while still getting a good story in. I like to learn something while I read and I usually pick up tidbits from her work. Thanks to her for all the time she spends in research!
Reviewer: Barbie
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