A Willowbrook Miracle

A Willowbrook Miracle The Willowbrook SeriesBook 1 By Laura Landon © Copyright 2023 by Laura Landon Text by Laura Landon Cover by Dar Albert Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc. P.O. Box 23 Moreno Valley, CA 92556 [email protected] Produced in the United States of America First Edition January 2023 Kindle Edition Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook, once purchased, may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. 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Without your support, there is no ‘us’, so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way. Happy Reading! CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Landon The Willowbrook Series A Willowbrook Miracle (Book 1) Men of Valor Series A Love For All Time (Book 1) A Love That Knows No Bounds (Book 2) A Love That’s Worth The Risk (Book 3) A Love That Heals the Heart (Book 4) Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Landon 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 Epilogue About the Author Chapter One Lady Victoria Crawley closed the book she’d been reading to the Duke of Willowbrook and silently placed it on the bedside table. “Are you leaving?” the elderly duke asked. His eyes remained closed and his breathing even and slow. Torie smiled. “I thought you were asleep, Your Grace.” “I know. I can always tell when you think you’ve lulled me to sleep by the lilt of your sweet voice. Your voice gets softer and softer and you read slower and slower.” “Has anyone ever told you that you are a terrible tease?” “Yes, you tell me that all the time. Just like your grandmother used to.” “Did you tease her like you tease me?” “Of course I did. She was almost as fun to tease then as you are now.” “Almost?” “Yes, almost. But not quite. She didn’t realize what I was doing as quickly as you do.” “I’m going to tell her what you said.” The duke’s eyes popped open. “No, don’t,” he pleaded. “Why ever not?” “That will hurt her feelings.” “Very well,” Torie said, relaxing against her chair. “I won’t tell her.” The Duke of Willowbrook settled his head on his pillow. His eyes closed and he appeared more peaceful. “Thank you, Torie. And thank you for coming.” “Of course, Your Grace.” Victoria straightened the bottles of medicine and tonics on the table beside the duke’s bed. “I’m guessing you loved her, didn’t you, Your Grace?” “Who? Your grandmother?” “Yes.” He hesitated the briefest of moments. “Yes,” he answered softly. “I did.” “Did you ever tell her?” He smiled. “I didn’t have to. Your grandmother knew. But she was happily married to your grandfather and I was happily married to my duchess. There was no sense in talking about something that could never be.” Torie thought how sad that admission was. It had been several years since her grandfather died, and as many years that His Grace had been alone, as well. Perhaps they could have at least offered each other a bit of company over the years. She wondered why they hadn’t. When Torie had everything put away, she reached for the duke’s hand and squeezed his fingers. “I need to be going. Grandmama will begin to worry about me.” “Have Jenkins take you home. It’s cold out there.” “Not that cold, Your Grace. And I’ve been sitting all day. It will do me good to walk a bit.” “Did you notice if there were any missives for me on the table?” “Not that I saw, Your Grace.” “Why do you think Hunter hasn’t written? It’s been almost a month since I wrote to inform him that his brother has died. I thought he would have sent word that he was returning.” “He’ll be home soon, Your Grace. The Crimean Peninsula is far away. And it’s difficult to know when he may have received your letter. The post travels ever so slowly during the war.” “You’re right, my dear,” he said. “I just want him home. I need him back here where I know he’ll be safe. With Stephen dead, he’s the only remaining heir.” “Don’t worry, Your Grace. He’ll be here any day now.” “I hope you are right. Have you ever met him, Victoria?” Torie shook her head. “No, I’ve not had the pleasure.” “We’ll celebrate with