Liberty's Charge

Book excerpt: How will Patience choose between a charming politician and a dashing patriot? Patience Hayes is desperate to finish an important legal case for her father, but her family and friends require a great deal of attention. Although her time is precious, when a handsome, patriotic printer asks to court her, she admires him enough to give him a chance. At the same time, she starts working closely with Gilbert Brand, the brother of a man accused of treason. Although Gilbert doesn’t share Patience’s political ideals, his kindness and humor readily charms her into sharing her heart. Gilbert Brand has spent much of his life struggling for basic necessities. When he lands a position as a Delaware delegate to the Second Continental Congress, he’s determined to use the position to elevate himself into a higher station in life–or at least make sure he never misses a meal again. He’s certain that if he can marry an heiress, he’ll finally have the life he’s always dreamed of. When he offers to help a lawyer’s daughter with his brother’s appeal, he never imagined he’d find himself falling in love with clever and beautiful Patience. Her encouragement makes him start to feel he’s already worth something. The attraction between Patience and Gilbert is undeniable, but neither is sure that’s the only thing that matters to a lasting relationship. Patience has to choose between a man who can give her the life she wants and a man she’s not sure she can live without, while Gilbert has to decide if a life very different from the one he’s imagined will bring him true happiness. Can he prove to Patience that he’s worthy of her trust before it’s too late?