Duchess (31 page)

Her hands trembled in Rosie's, her breath shuddering in her chest. She shook her head even as she managed, “Jack?”

He nodded, glanced at Rosie, as if at a loss. Then, “I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I—I—”

He closed his mouth, his face twitching.

“Jack was with Army Intelligence, Mother, ever since the Great War. He lived with the Germans, pretended to be one of them, and then, when the war with Germany began again, he helped me and Rolfe transport refugees, Jews and other political prisoners, out of the country.”

Jinx tightened her hands in hers. “You knew.”

Jack took a step closer. “I asked her not to tell you, Mother. I—I didn't want you to lose me twice.”

But Jinx was just staring at him, her chin trembling, her chest rising and falling.

The clock ticked over the mantle; the baby stirred in Rolfe's arms.

And then, “I never got over losing you the first time.”

“And I never got over regretting how I left you,” Jack said. He took a step into the room. “Please forgive me? I should have—I should have understood.” His gaze flickered to Bennett. “I was wrong.”

Jinx released Rosie's hands and turned to him. She was crying, the tears soft and bright on her face. “I forgive you, Jack, if you forgive me.”

Then her arms were around him, and he caught her tight to himself, his head buried in her shoulder, shaking as he wept. “I love you, Mother.”

Rosie pressed her hands to her cheeks, wiping her eyes, so much inside her she could burst.

Jinx leaned back, pressed her hands to Jack's face. “My boy.”

He caught her wrists, nodding, grinning.

“I guess we should meet,” a voice said, and Rosie saw Finn advance across the room, his hand extended. “Finley Jackson Worth.”

Jack cast a look at Rosie. “I have a—brother?”

“You made the rules, not me.”

Jack turned back to Finn, grinning. “I have a brother.” Then he wrapped his arm around Finn, slapped him on the back.

The baby started to whimper. Jack freed Finn. “And I suppose this is my niece?” he said, looking at the baby.

“Actually, I'm your niece too,” Coco said, rubbing her arms. “My mother—uh, Lilly told me about you.” She held out her hand. “I'm Rosie's oldest daughter, with her first husband, Guthrie.”

Rosie pressed her hand to her mouth as Jack took Coco's hand. “Of course you are. You look just like her.”

Coco reddened, a blush streaking into her face. “I grew up in Montana with Lilly.”

“She did a good job by you,” he said.

“She comes from good stock,” Lilly said from behind him. Rosie hadn't seen her enter. She looked older, her hair piled in a bun at the nape of her neck, looking lean and noble with her Crow heritage. A dark-haired boy stood beside her, his eyes hard on Coco. TJ, Lilly called him, if Rosie remembered correctly. Truman had his hands curled over the boy's shoulders. Lilly's daughter, Daisy, sat next to her great-aunt, Jinx, looking every inch like the cowgirl her mother had once been. How Rosie remembered Lilly's restless years in New York City.

Lilly caught her gaze.

She couldn't have picked a better mother for her daughter.
Thank you, Lilly, for the beautiful daughter you raised
.

The baby erupted in a howl, red faced and angry. Rosie took her in her arms, pulled her close, soothing her.

“She's magnificent, Rosie,” Jack said, cupping his big hand against her head. “Has your personality exactly.”

She narrowed her eyes at him but grinned.

“What's her name?”

Jinx took his other hand, and Rosie noticed how he wove their fingers together.

“Sarah,” Rosie said. “It means princess.”

“The Worth family princess,” Jack said softly. He pressed a kiss to the baby's downy forehead. “Welcome to the family.”

There is nothing better than diving into a story like this one, surrounding yourself with research and ideas, the culmination of a storyline you've been working on for two years. I loved penning this novel because I knew that after the hard beginning of
Heiress
, with so much pain and so many mistakes made by Jinx, and the bittersweet middle story,
Baroness
, where Rosie walks so far away from her inheritance, Rosie's redemption would be rich and profound. I loved watching her discover that she didn't need the world's applause she longed for—that she had it all inside, with the love of God. If you've read all three books, perhaps you noticed the themes: “
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
.” Esme learned this in
Heiress
, as she discovered that wealth came from knowing your Savior. “
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
.” Lilly learned this in
Baroness
as she let go of her grief and recognized the comfort of her father, Oliver, and that she couldn't outrun God's love. “
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth
.” Rosie learned this in
Duchess
, that inheriting everything she wanted—the applause of earth and heaven—was about surrender and trusting God's love. The series is named “Daughters of Fortune” not only because of their circumstances, but because I hoped readers might see what a true fortune looks like. What a true inheritance is when a person puts their faith in the Lord.

It was a joy to dive into the world of Hollywood and the Silver Screen. I learned a tremendous amount about the “creation” of movie stars. Rosie is a mix between a number of stars, but especially Jean Harlow, who died tragically after a terrible illness. A little known fact is that all her hair fell out with all the peroxide treatment, and for the last few movies of her career, she wore a wig. She also starred opposite Clark Gable in many of his early films. In those early days, stars were “owned” by studios, and worked for a weekly (albeit handsome) salary. They had little control over their careers.

I had to walk a careful line as I constructed the events surrounding
Gone with the Wind
. Warner Brothers initially wanted to secure rights to option the film, with Bette Davis in mind for Scarlett. When she turned it down, legendary independent film maker David Selznick picked it up. Although usually connected with United Artists, he turned to MGM, home of Clark Gable to distribute it. As I created Rooney, I formed him after Selznick, as well as the brash young Howard Hughes. Palace Studios is a loose rendition of United Artists, a studio formed by Hollywood icons D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks. Of course, none of the characters or studios are an exact replication—I tried to find a common denominator and still keep the essence of the silver screen intact.

The German storyline is built around the increasing menace to the Jews in Europe even before the war. I tried to stay as true to actual events as possible, including
Kristallnacht
, or “The Night of Broken Glass,” which took place November 9–10, 1938, and began the public persecution of the Jews. Rolfe's activities are based on actual events and people who risked their lives to help Jews leave Europe.

When I originally began this series, I knew that Jack would reappear. I conceived this series with the idea of Jacob and Esau (Jinx and Esme) and used the biblical storyline to craft this one. I love the idea of God using for good what others might intend for evil. I loved the idea that Jack was a hero all along and that Jinx finally has her happy ending. All the same, writing these stories was my most ambitious project to date, and I put my faith in the Lord's provision. I am so grateful for so many who came beside me with both encouragement and applause as I wrote
Duchess
. Sarah Warren, thank you for letting me into your heart to write Roxy Price's starlet scenes. And Rachel Hauck, who continued to affirm me in the dark hours of the series when I felt I would never be able to put onto the page the spiritual truths roaming my heart. Thank you to Susan Downs, my amazing editor and friend—your belief in me is my treasure. Special thanks goes to James Scott Bell, amazing Hollywood tour guide who provided both car chases and rich historical anecdotes. And finally, Steve Laube, my agent, who walked with me through a few writer's block moments. Thank you also to the wonderful team at Summerside Press—Jason, Rachel, and so many others who believed in this series and worked so hard to bring it to publication. I am glad to have worked with you.

I could never write a word without the amazing support of my family, Andrew, David, Sarah, Peter, and Noah, encouraging me, cheering for and with me, and putting up with all those times I said, “Dahling, I'm a star. I don't do dishes.” Thanks for making me feel like a duchess, every day.

I give this book and this series to the Lord, for His glory, with deep gratitude for the inheritance of being His child.

Thank you for reading,

Susan May Warren

S
USAN
M
AY
W
ARREN
is the best-selling author of more than thirty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have earned her acclaim from readers and reviewers alike. She is a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the RITA Award, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and a nominee for the Christy Award. She loves to write and to help other writers find their voices through her work with My Book Therapy (
www.mybooktherapy.com
), a writing craft and coaching community she founded.

Susan and her husband of more than twenty years have four children. Former missionaries to Russia, they now live in a small Minnesota town on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior, where they are active in their local church. Find her online at
www.susanmaywarren.com
.