Authors: Lori Wick
The Pursuit
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota
Cover photos © Stockbyte Photography / Veer; Westend61 Photography / Veer; Anna Stowe Botanica / Alamy
THE PURSUIT
Copyright © 2003 by Lori Wick
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-2532-7
Library of Congress has cataloged the edition as follows:
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wick, Lori.
The pursuit / Lori Wick.
p. cm. — (The English garden series ; bk. 4)
ISBN 978-0-7369-0912-9
1. Ocean travel—Fiction. 2. Lisbon (Portugal)—Fiction. 3. Male friendship—Fiction.
4. Travelers—Fiction. 5. England—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3573.I237P87 2003
813’.54—dc21
2003012248
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 / RDM-MS / 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Larry
Table of Contents
The English Garden Collingbourne Families
The fourth book is done! I’m so excited. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book and series, but sometimes finishing a series is like taking a much-needed breath of air.
I’ve learned many things in the last months—mostly that God is unendingly patient. And that He always puts people in my life who make a difference. A big thanks to…
—
Mary Vesperman.
A thanks to you, Mary, is nothing new, but since this book took a little longer, I need you to know how much I appreciate your patience and your listening ear. As always, you are invaluable as a friend, a sister in Christ, and a coworker.
—
The staff at Harvest House.
What a fabulous job you did putting this book on the market. Thank you for all your hard work and marvelous support of this project. I love and appreciate each one of you.
—
Matthew.
I found you this year in a way I never had before. You became the big brother—working to sail over the the bar with amazing ability. I’m proud of you—more than I can say. You make my world a wonderful place.
—
Bob.
The man who dishes the ball never gets credit for the shot, but the assist is what you’re best at. You’re so willing to sit quietly and cheer from the back of the room, not needing everyone to know that you were a huge help. I guess the ones who know are the ones who need to know. I love you.
The English Garden
Collingbourne Families
˜Frank and Lydia Palmer
Children: Frank, Walt, Emma, Lizzy, and Oliver
Home: Tipton
˜William and Marianne Jennings
(William Jennings is brother to Lydia Palmer)
Children: Thomas, James, Penny, Catherine, and William
Home: Thornton Hall
˜Robert and Anne Weston
Children: Sarah
Home: Brown Manor
˜Pastor Frederick and Judith Hurst
Children: Jeffrey, Jane, Margaret, John, and Robert
Home: the manse
˜James and Mary Walker
(Marianne Jennings’ parents)
Home: Blackburn Manor
˜Henry and Edward Steele
Home: Newcomb Park
˜Thomas and Elizabeth Morland
(Elizabeth is sister to Henry, Edward, and Cassandra)
Home: Ludlow
˜Alexander and Cassandra Tate
(Cassandra is sister to Henry, Edward, and Elizabeth)
Home: Pembroke
Africa
November 1812
Edward Steele sat comfortably in the warm morning sun, writing a letter to his brother, Henry. Henry had been with him on the trip but had already headed home to England. Feeling a bit bereft without him, Edward’s quill moved as he shared his heart.
The ship leaves 5 December. I almost wish I’d gone home with you, Henry. I’m weary of travel and long for Collingbourne. I should be home in plenty of time for Christmas, and then it’s home I will stay. I’ve enjoyed this year on the move, but I long for Newcomb Park and the family.
There is so much that I miss. I miss you. I miss my sisters and their husbands. I miss home and Pastor Hurst’s way with the Word. I miss England and Collingbourne. In truth, I can’t think of something I don’t miss. I had a yearning to go with you when you left. I can’t think right now why I didn’t.
I’ve rambled long enough. I shall get this in the post and send myself directly after. See you soon.
Warmest regards,
Edward
Edward studied the letter he’d just written and then added at the bottom,
Please give my love to the girls.
This done, he folded the missive and readied it for mailing. It was impossible to say what delays he might encounter once his own journey began, but he wanted Henry to know he would be on his way in two weeks’ time.
“Edward?” a child’s voice called just then from inside the house, causing the youngest Steele male to hide behind a large chair. He peeked out as Victoria Middleton came to the veranda, clearly looking for him.
“Edward?” she tried again. “Are you out here?”
“I might be,” he said in a low voice, causing Victoria to giggle with delight and run in his direction. Her brother, Walter, was swift on her heels. Both found Edward and threw their small arms around him. He pretended to be frightened and allowed them to tumble him to the floor.
“Were you scared?” Walter asked, panting a little.
“Terribly. I thought you might be wild beasts.”
Victoria, a rather serious child, took his hand.
“It’s just us, Edward. We’ll protect you.”
“You are very brave, Victoria. Thank you.”
The smile Edward gave her was invitation enough. Even though he was still sitting on the floor, she climbed into his lap.
“I’ll get our book!” Walter volunteered, quickly dashed for the door, and soon returned with the volume. The day was warming swiftly as Edward made himself comfortable. His back against the side of the house, all settled in, he began to read. The session lasted for a solid 20 minutes before the children’s father, Lucas Middleton, came looking for them.
“This looks fun, but it’s getting warm out here.”
Edward smiled a little. The children were snuggled against him as though the day were freezing.
“Why don’t we take this inside, children,” their father suggested, and both willingly obeyed.
“Why is it that children don’t seem to notice the heat?” Edward asked his friend as the two men brought up the rear.
“I don’t know, but whenever they share the bed with us, they’re happy to be smashed against us all night.”
“Something you could bear in England, but a little tougher here.”
“Indeed.”
With that word the men went inside. Edward had been honest in his letter to Henry: He wanted to go home. But if anything could make him hesitate, it would be how much he enjoyed the Middletons and their children. Nevertheless, he would soon be England bound.
