Book spotlight and excerpt: The Brantford Wagers (The Brantford Series, Book 1) by Nadine Kampen

 

Is Clara Vincent ready to risk it all for love?

Clara Vincent is “the artful dodger” when it comes to marriage, especially when her father is bent on match-making. Will her attitude change when she meets two eligible suitors and is drawn into the lives of intensely competitive families? Clara falls unexpectedly in love, but when fortunes are reversed and relationships up-ended, she needs to decide whether to trust James Brantford, who is seeking retribution or accept the love of the man everyone else believes is her ideal match.

As the Brantford wagers unfold and lay bare the history of past relationships, will Clara be able to learn the truth and finally follow her heart?

 

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EXCERPT

From Chapter 17 – The Fall Picnic

Not far from Clara and Mrs Sand, near to Mrs Brantford, were two long tables set with food and beverages. The meal was to be served at four, said Mrs Sand, and this was to tide them over. ‘I do hope my brother will make an announcement over dinner, but he would not confirm it, even to his own sister. He can be so very stubborn.’ She giggled like a child and waved her brush in the direction of her brother. ‘Look at him, dear soul, surrounded by all the eager young ladies. There is only one way to put a stop to all the ladies chasing him, if he would only see it for himself.’

Mrs Sand resumed her painting, and Clara moved quietly away, drinking in the beauty of the property. She felt a deep appreciation for this family’s heritage, and she longed for the stability they enjoyed. She envied the Brantfords, being raised likely for generations in the same house. Her own family had moved several times, settling into Wellsmere a few years ago. She was envious, not of the man’s wealth, but of the history that Mr Brantford was to inherit.

Nearby lay a short path leading to a wild little garden. From here, a pathway led towards a small lake. Clara walked with a quick step, away from the other guests and the manor. She breathed in the sweet, moist air, grateful for time to herself at last.

‘Miss Vincent!’ came a man’s voice.

Seeing it was Mr Langley, she gave him a friendly wave in reply. Langley’s long stride brought him to her side, and they strolled together along the path.

‘It is good to see you,’ he said. ‘It has been difficult to break away from visiting at Ashton’s. And now, just this morning, to my dismay, I received a summons from my Aunt Melbourne. I am to leave in two days to collect my Aunt and take her to London. It is rather sudden,’ he protested. ‘I hope, however, to see you eight weeks from now at my aunt’s estate.’ He looked relieved when she nodded her agreement.

‘This estate puts me in mind of Wellsmere. Here, in particular, it is especially beautiful,’ he gestured towards the mature woodland. ‘These are grounds to have and to hold. I could be content in such a place. Nay, I am in fact already content. Did you realise, Miss Vincent, that the other gentlemen are envious of me? They wait in anticipation for me to leave your side.’

Discomfited, and to lighten the mood, Clara replied playfully, ‘Come, Mr Langley, very few of them can even see us. In any case, I must prove you wrong. Look there. See how Mr Drinscol pays rapt attention to his wife.’

‘She has much to say, and he, alas, is compelled to listen.’

‘I would wager it goes both ways,’ she commented, then tried another tack. ‘Over there, my cousin Stancroft strolls happily with his neighbour.’

‘Ah, the charming Miss Drinscol. She cannot play cards for love nor money, which is not in itself important, but it bodes ill for other matters.’

Clara’s eye caught a movement between the pair, and her glance lingered as John reached under his greatcoat and handed a slip of paper to Miss Drinscol.

‘Most of the men I see would leave their present company in a moment, whereas I would not trade these moments with you, Miss Vincent, for the company of any.’

‘I beg you, Mr Langley, do stop!’ she laughed, blushing. She hurriedly moved the conversation on to another topic.

Studying her face, Mr Langley thought he had never seen her look so lovely. He smiled at her and said, ‘Do you see that canal over there? It is entirely man-made. The father aims to bring the river closer so he can fish at leisure and improve his view.’

‘Yes, so I understand,’ she replied.

‘What a grand scheme. That is a man who appreciates the finer things in life. Were I in Mr Brantford’s position, the younger Brantford, I would engage a Mr Repton, or one of his understudies, to improve even further on the design. However, the canal will be completed soon. How I would love to purchase this estate!’

The path they were on led back towards the great house, and they could hear faint strains of conversation from a group nearby. When Clara tripped over a protruding root, Mr Langley drew her arm through his to steady her. Seeing Mr Brantford ahead of them, he pinned her arm securely at his side. His gloved hand resting atop hers in proprietary fashion, he called out a greeting to their host inviting him to join them.

Brantford hesitated, surveying the pair. He spoke a few words to his grandmother and came towards them.

‘We are speaking of homes, Mr Brantford, and admiring yours. What a grand old structure. Two centuries at least, I should think.’

Mr Brantford said curtly that the home was, in fact, one hundred and sixty years old.

‘Well, it is one of the finer houses in these parts. Let me buy it from you, if you ever sell. I have fallen in love with it,’ Mr Langley said with a boyish laugh. ‘Your family has had it long enough. I will happily take it off your father’s hands.’

‘The entail expires after it passes to me in due course, so I will keep you in mind.’

‘That is a fortunate situation. But we lose Miss Vincent with our talk of entails. Are you in love with old houses, Miss Vincent?’

Clara Vincent knew, without doubt, that she was in love, but her mind was far from being fixed on stone walls and chimney stacks.

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Nadine Kampen

In her début novel, The Brantford Wagers, Nadine Kampen draws on her passion for stories that bring a smile and warm the hearts of the reader. The author immerses the reader in the fictional world of traditional historical romance, set in the memorable Regency England period, sharing the hopes, schemes, and antics of her characters.

Prior to her career as an author, Nadine served as a regional marketing manager with an international consulting firm and as a communications and marketing director on university campuses. Earlier in her career, she worked in public relations and journalism, and was co-author and project lead for five non-fiction books comprising The Canadian Breast Cancer Series, published in 1989.

A resident of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, Nadine loves relaxing with family and friends, reading and walking, playing tunes on her 1905 Bell piano, and gardening.

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