Review: Poverty Stricken Delsie Gains an Unwanted Husband and a Love Interest
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2014
Delsie was born of a genteel family but hard times and pride kept her mother from going to relatives when her husband died.  Eventually, Mama died and Delsie had nowhere else to turn but to the local village school - St. Mary's Parish School - where she obtained a job as a teacher.  Life had always been hard for Delsie because she was socially above the villagers and somewhat below the local gentry due to poverty - therefore, she had no friends nor companions.Eventually, one of local gentry - Mr. Grayshott - found himself in need of a wife and he became enamored with Delsie - actually, obsessed might be a better word.  He immediately approached Delsie and asked her to marry him.  She, being somewhat in shock, soundly rejected him.  He had been married to the local Baron DeVigne's sister. A few months pass and it seems Mr. Grayshott is not healthy and is expected to pass within a few days.  Baron DeVigne and his aunt want to have charge of Mr. Grayshott's young daughter but as it stands, Grayshott has appointed another uncle as guardian of the niece.  DeVigne knows of Grayshott's fascination with Delsie so decides to request Delsie's cooperation in marrying Grayshott for the sake of the niece.  For Delsie's part, she will have a daughter to raise and will have 5,000 pounds settled upon her. Delsie reluctantly agrees.Once Grayshott passes, Delsie begins to hear strange noises at night near the cottage where she lives on the DeVigne property and then finds several bags filled with money.  Amid these unusual circumstances, she and DeVigne become better acquainted and a sweet romance takes off.  I enjoyed this sweet Joan Smith story.