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    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)
    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)
    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)
    Ebook131 pages1 hour

    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)

    By Ruth Ann Nordin

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    About this ebook

    In Falling In Love With Her Husband, Kent Ashton was the villain... Or at least that is how Ann Statesman and Todd Brothers saw him.

    But was he really? Why did he really end his courtship with Ann? Was his scandalous behavior with Rebecca Johnson the reason he became engaged to her? And what compelled him to go after Ann after she married Todd and moved to North Dakota?

    This novella tells why he did what he did. And it paves the way for the book that will lead to his own happily ever after.

    Please note: This is the prequel to Catching Kent. It does not have a “happily ever after” ending. The happily ever after comes in Catching Kent.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRuth Ann Nordin
    Release dateOct 3, 2013
    ISBN9781301817399
    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)
    Author

    Ruth Ann Nordin

    Ruth Ann Nordin has written almost 100 romances, ranging from Regencies to historical westerns to contemporaries. She plays with other genres from time to time, but her first love is romance. She has been happily married for twenty-two years to a sweet and funny guy, and they have four sons, who are all taller than Ruth now that they're 16, 17, 19, and 20. The good thing is she doesn't need a ladder. She considers herself very lucky to have led such a charmed life. Being able to play with characters and create stories is just icing on the cake. Hopefully, she'll get to keep doing this many years to come.

    Read more from Ruth Ann Nordin

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    Book preview

    Kent Ashton's Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent) - Ruth Ann Nordin

    Kent

    Ashton’s

    Backstory

    Ruth Ann Nordin

    Kent Ashton’s Backstory

    Published by Ruth Ann Nordin

    Copyright © 2013 by Ruth Ann Nordin

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

    Cover Photo image Dreamstime.com via Andrey Kiselev. All rights reserved – used with permission.

    Table of Contents

    Chapter One

    Chapter Two

    Chapter Three

    Chapter Four

    Chapter Five

    Chapter Six

    Chapter Seven

    Chapter Eight

    Chapter Nine

    Chapter Ten

    Chapter Eleven

    Chapter Twelve

    Chapter Thirteen

    Also Available: Catching Kent

    All Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

    Find Ruth

    Dedication

    Dedication: To Jennifer Karonika Kominczak for asking me about Kent after reading Falling In Love With Her Husband. Because of you, I got the inspiration for this novella, and it was nice to see how everything really played out in Virginia. Many thanks!

    Chapter One

    September 1899

    Virginia

    Do I have to go? Kent Ashton asked his parents as the horse carriage swayed gently from side to side.

    His father grumbled in irritation. We’ve already been over this. The Johnsons are a good family, the kind of family you’d do well to associate with. After the grief you caused us in New York, the least you can do is show us enough respect to please this family. Mr. Johnson is a shrewd businessman. He owns most of this town. If you make a good impression, he might hire you when you’re done with your schooling.

    And after learning that your grandfather has left us next to nothing, we need the money, his mother added.

    His father’s jaw clenched. Your grandfather was a fool. I can’t believe he squandered all of his money on bad investments. If he wasn’t dead, I’d… He glanced at Kent and cleared his throat. Never mind all that. We’re here for a new start. We have meager funds, but they won’t last long. I mean it, Kent. Don’t tell anyone about our dire straits.

    His mother opened her fan and waved it. You can’t have us living as paupers, son. It’s best Wilma is back in New York.

    So you’re saying I can’t marry someone I love? Kent asked, hiding the bitterness in his tone as much as he could.

    Wilma came from a family of few means, his father barked, his eyebrows furrowed. If you want to marry for love, then choose a lady who happens to come from wealth. One lady is as good as another.

    No, one lady wasn’t as good as another. Wilma had been the only one who’d loved him for himself. She’d seen past the riches his family had enjoyed. She’d been like a breath of fresh air. And now she was married to someone else, thanks to the way his parents manipulated things.

    Kent looked out the carriage window, not really seeing the houses as the driver directed the horses down the street. He couldn’t bear to make eye contact with his parents right now. Not when he might give away his resentment. Nothing would make a difference at this point. He couldn’t change the past. All he could do was continue on with his life and make the best of it.

    The carriage came to a stop, and the driver opened the door. His parents left the carriage first, and he reluctantly joined them. Before him stood one of the finest houses he’d ever seen. Mr. Johnson was definitely a wealthy man.

    Let’s not keep him waiting, his father said and took his mother by the arm.

    Kent straightened his hat and frock coat. They climbed the steps to the porch, and he clasped his hands in front of him as his father knocked on the door. He closed his eyes, hoping tonight would go well. As the butler answered the door, he opened his eyes and forced a smile.

    Good evening, the butler greeted, his tone solemn. May I ask your name, sir?

    We are the Ashtons, his father replied. Mr. Johnson invited us to dinner.

    Please enter. The butler moved aside and waited until they stepped into the entryway before leading them to the formal parlor. You may wait here while I notify Mr. Johnson that you have arrived.

    Kent joined his parents and entered the large room.

    My goodness, his mother whispered in excitement. Look at the fine furniture. This chair alone must have cost a fortune! She ran her hand along the velvet pink fabric on the arm of the chair. I’ve only dreamed of owning such a luxurious item.

    Kent rolled his eyes and sat in another chair. He tuned his parents out as they gushed over the other expensive items in the room and made plans on what they would buy once he secured their financial standing.

    Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the butler returned, bringing Mr. Johnson, his wife, and daughter with him. As the butler left, Kent rose to his feet. He waited to be introduced to the man his father believed to be the most prominent man in town. Mr. Johnson introduced his wife, and Kent made sure to compliment her on her dress as his parents had instructed.

    This is my daughter, Rebecca, Mr. Johnson said.

    Kent ignored his father’s smile. He knew what his father was thinking. Rebecca was his age, or at least close to it, and if Kent could be Mr. Johnson’s son-in-law, then the plan would be a sure thing. Kent made eye contact with his father and gave a slight shake of his head. His father shrugged and turned his attention back to Mr. Johnson. Kent placed his hands behind his back and clasped them, squeezing as hard as he could so he wouldn’t give away his irritation.

    Dinner is ready, the butler announced, approaching them.

    Good, Mr. Johnson said with a wide smile. I hope you like lobster. We had them brought in fresh this morning.

    We love lobster, his father replied, shooting Kent a meaningful look. We’re fortunate to be here tonight.

    That we are, Kent’s mother added, appearing way too happy about the evening.

    Good, Mr. Johnson said. Then follow us into the dining room.

    Kent sighed, thinking this was going to be a long and tiring evening.

    ***

    Make sure you don’t do anything to ruin that suit, his father said as he entered Kent’s bedchamber the next morning. You’re too tall to wear your old pair of pants, and I can’t afford to buy you a new pair.

    Kent looked away from the wardrobe mirror and finished adjusting his tie. I won’t let anything happen to these pants.

    His father approached him and lowered his voice. I did a lot of thinking last night, and marriage would be prudent. You need a good job, of course, but a lady’s dowry would go a long way to securing our wealth. Keep that in mind when you attend your classes today.

    I understand. Hopefully, there would be someone there who would make him and his parents happy. It doesn’t have to be Mr. Johnson’s daughter, does it?

    No. I don’t care who she is as long as she comes from a wealthy family.

    Kent breathed a sigh of relief. At least, he’d have a choice.

    Now, this particular school I’m sending you to is one of the best Virginia has to offer, his father continued. I had to use most of my money to secure a position for you there. All the ladies will bring a good amount of money into this house. If you could secure a marriage by spring, we won’t face bankruptcy.

    Kent glanced at the calendar. It was October. Seven months. How was he going to pick a lady who both appealed to him and had money in such a short time?

    His father patted him on the shoulder. Your mother and I are counting on you. Don’t disappoint us.

    I won’t.

    Come along. He stepped toward the door. You’ll ride with me in the carriage. We’ll stop by your school before I tend to my business.

    Kent gave one last look at his reflection. He could do this. And he would do it because he had to. Straightening his suit jacket, he followed his father out of his bedchamber. After their butler handed them their coats, they bid Kent’s mother a good day and went to the carriage.

    The ride to his new school was an awkward one. He never knew what to say to his father, and he learned long ago that silence was better than inadvertently saying something wrong. He stared out the window and noted his surroundings. This was his new home. New York was a long ways off, and all the things that happened there were in the past.

    The carriage came to a stop and he took a moment to examine the large brick school at the end of a winding path. Entering the school were several young ladies who looked promising. The driver opened the door, and Kent stepped onto the path, not bothering to look back at his father. Only time would tell which lady he’d end up marrying.

    ***

    The day had gone better than Kent expected. He

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