Marianne Dora Rose

Starlight's Hearts Marianne Dora Rose Large Text edition

Along with the family, Henry congratulated Richard, his younger brother, on announcing his intention to join the Priesthood. Warm affection flooded him, but all the same, he had hoped for more for Richard. Marriage to a good woman, children. Nieces and nephews, cousins to the children he, himself, hoped to father someday together with the woman he chose. There was, however, the chance that once at the seminary, Richard might change his mind, Henry thought hopefully. Find the rules and regulations too stringent for a young man raised in a well-to-do family, who had never lacked for affection or material goods. Evie might change his mind. During his college years, Henry hadn't thought much about Evie. When she greeted him at the door, it was no surprise to him that she had filled out and grown into a lovely young woman. A freshman in his senior year in high school, and a regular attendee at his basketball games, Evie had had cheered the loudest of all the girls interested in him. Of course, like several of the girls in his school, she had a crush on him. He was, after all, one of the school's lead basketball players, tall and sinewy for his age. But she ought to be well over her crush for him by now. Evie was perfect for Richard. Brought up in an orphanage run by nuns. Held in high esteem by his parents. Just starting out on her own. There was something fresh and vibrant about her, that even he found appealing, although she was definitely not his type. No, he preferred attractive girls, on the sophisticated side, college-educated, with that certain aura of savoir-faire. Henry had a plan, a clever, ingenious plan, he thought, until he discovered that Evie's crush on him had never faded. It had grown, matured along with her into deep respect and admiration. She loved him. Oh, this did not bode well for Richard ... or for him.