Before the Season Ends (49 page)

Mr. Mornay made a dismissive gesture with his eyebrows, and then closed his eyes.

Mr. Timmons started to pray, “Heavenly Father.” He stopped. He peeked. “Mornay, you must repeat after me.”

“What, like a child?”

“No. To
become
a child. A child of God.” He motioned with his head for him to get ready and once again Mr. Mornay closed his eyes.

“Heavenly Father.”

“Heavenly Father.”

“I come before You knowing I have no right to do so.”

Mr. Mornay repeated the words, and then each of the following lines afterward.

“I come as a sinner.”

“Asking for Your mercy.”

“I come confessing that I have sinned against You.”

“Asking Your forgiveness.”

“Not because I deserve it.”

“But because Christ, in dying, forgave me my sins.”

“Because Christ, in dying, paid the debt of my sins.”

“I ask You to take me as Your child.” This line was repeated with difficulty, and only after a long pause. Mr. Mornay was astonished. He felt something happening within himself. He was suddenly conscious of feeling as though he were in God’s presence. Not out on the grass on a man’s lawn, but at the feet of God. At the very feet of God! How could it be? How could a simple act of prayer result in such an impression on his senses? Why had he never felt such an impression in all his life before? He had prayed before—hadn’t he?

“To come and live inside me, in my heart.” Again the words were difficult to pray. He was aware, keenly, that
God
was his audience.
God
was listening. If he said these words to God Himself, he had to mean them. He had to want what he was asking for. Was it a miracle
of some sort? That he did? He prayed the words, choking them out, as it were, with shocking force of feelings.

“To take my life and make it Yours.” Mr. Timmons added, waiting for Mornay to repeat them. But he balked at this.

“I’m not signing my life away, to join the church as you have, am I?”

Mr. Timmons laughed gently. “No, my man. We are merely inviting God to begin an awakening within you. So that you are aware that you do not live just to yourself, but to Him. Not just for yourself, nor for Miss Forsythe, but for God.”

The line was repeated. Mr. Timmons added thanks, and then prayed heartily for Mr. Mornay’s newfound faith, after which they finally rose from the grass.

The cleric extended his hand. “Congratulations, sir. If you meant that prayer, and my feeling is that you did, you are now a child of the King.”

Mr. Mornay shook his hand, but was silent. He
had
meant it, surprising even himself. Indeed, he had meant every word.

“Aren’t you more a Methodist than an Anglican in your manner of prayer?” Mornay asked, while they returned to the house. “I once read the minutes of a meeting of Calvinistic Methodists, and you pray and speak of God as one of them.”

Timmons only smiled. “I am called to the Anglican church.” After a pause, he said, “I am a Christian, leave it at that. And so, as of today, are you.”

Mr. Mornay came out of his memories, looking down at Ariana. “I wasn’t entirely sure he was right at the time, though I agree, now.”

“I’m so glad!”

“I did mean what I prayed. I have felt a change within myself, too. I have a greater awareness, first of all, of God. I find myself talking to Him! Do you do that?”

She nodded, turning her face up to his.

“I am confounded that God has saved me for heaven when I have done nothing for Him.”

“He loves you. He loves us all. We can never deserve it. But I am certain you will do things for Him.” In a droll tone, she added, “Actually, I have suggestions for you regarding that. In case you need ideas.”

“Still running my life for me, eh?” He kissed her affectionately, “Little did I know that I would thank you for insisting upon my packing off for Chesterton, but I must.”

“I know how you may!” Her eyes came alight, and she quickly filled him in on Lavinia’s request regarding her hopes of marriage to Lord Antoine Holliwell. While she was speaking his features grew dark, and then forbidding, and she felt the excitement dying rapidly from her breast.

“I cannot consent to this, Ariana. In fact, if you care for your Miss Herley you will tell her to drop all contact with Holliwell instantly.”

She studied him silently for a moment. “Do you disapprove of Miss Herley to such a degree, then?”

“I have no objection to Miss Herley. It’s Holliwell who is unsuitable. I would not encourage the most desperate young woman in England to seek a match with him, or any of his family.”

“Holliwell is unsuitable?” She was dazed by the thought.

“Worse. He is a scoundrel, a rake, and a thief. I should think your Miss Herley must run in the opposite direction or her good name will be ruined. You must tell her so.”

“I must!” Ariana gasped. “As soon as possible!”

“We can call upon her directly following supper, if you like.”

She smiled, pleased at this offer. He was not usually sociable with her circle of friends. She smiled even wider at his next words.

“I will speak to her father myself, if you wish, because I want to please you, my angel.”

Ariana was so touched by this she was momentarily bereft of words.

“I love you!” was all she could say.

“I love you more,” he replied.

It occurred to her just then that she had a wedding to plan. Not a maybe wedding, or a perhaps-there-shall-be-a wedding, but an honest-to-goodness one, and suddenly it seemed of the utmost importance to finalize the plans.

“We must discuss our wedding! Who shall perform the ceremony? Where shall we go, afterward? When shall my wardrobe be moved to your house?”

He laughed aloud. “Your parents and I discussed it at length and your papa is no doubt informing your aunt of the plans as we speak. Speaking of which, you must show me your trousseau so that I may approve it.”

“Approve it! Did you not dictate what was bespoken? How can you fail to approve it?”

“I must see the cut of the fabric…The shade and style exactly. Grow accustomed to it, Ariana, for I will always oversee your wardrobe.”

The swirling black eyes were looking deeply into her own, and Ariana decided at that moment there was no one else on earth whom she would rather have overseeing her wardrobe—or, for that matter, anything else of hers.

1.
Before the Season Ends
is set in Regency England. What are some new things you enjoyed learning about the period?

2. Ariana believed strongly in honouring her faith and her Lord. How do you think a woman who lacks strong convictions can strengthen her faith? Do you know a Christian without strong convictions? How could you use the Bible to try to help her?

3. Ariana spends a lot of time praying and seeking God. Hebrews 11:6 states that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (niv). Is Ariana rewarded? How? Are there troublesome things you have brought to God and been rewarded for by His answer?

4. There’s an old poem that says, “God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” At one point, Ariana is mystified by how her necessary affiliation with Mr. Mornay can be of God. Later on, she realizes that it is. What are some of the mysterious ways the Lord has worked in your life that seemed negative at the time, only to bring great blessing in the end? Share and discuss an instance.

5. When Ariana doesn’t hear from her parents, she just “knows” something is wrong. Is your family so close that you would have this reaction? What would be a good way for someone to strengthen their family’s ties if they aren’t close? What is one thing that you do to help strengthen your own family?

6. Ariana makes a great effort to distinguish between “mere religion,” and “soul-saving faith.” Can you describe the difference in your own words? Why is this difference so important?

7. In the end, Mr. Mornay says he was amazed to discover that he could actually sense the presence of God. Have you ever experienced that? “Knowing” that God is there, with you? If so, think
about it. What were you doing at the time? Were you praying? What difference has it made in your life?

8. Tell about your experience of sensing God’s presence. Do you think it could happen again? Why or why not?

9. Based on 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ariana insists she cannot marry “an unbeliever.” Notice, however, that there is no restriction regarding the class, rank, or ethnicity (“race”) of a potential mate. What does this tell you about God? Does He see people as we do, or view them as equals?

10. Share how this book has been edifying or refreshing with someone else.

If you enjoyed
Before the Season Ends,
you’ll also love the sequel,
The House in Grosvenor Square.

As Ariana Forsythe plans her wedding to Philip Mornay, she must adjust to the realization that she is soon to become the wife of an extremely wealthy man. She wonders if it’s wrong to rejoice that her future husband is rich. But she promises herself to use her new position to do what she can to aid the numerous street waifs she sees all too often in London.

During a tour of her future home—the house in Grosvenor Square—Ariana makes plans to redecorate according to her tastes. But when Philip arrives home later, he is informed that an expensive silver candlestick and a miniature portrait of George III have gone missing. Moreover, each time Ariana visits the house, accompanied by a friend or relation, another item disappears.

Shortly thereafter Ariana is abducted as she leaves a performance at Covent Garden Theatre, leaving Philip to unravel the pieces of the mystery. Where has his future bride been taken, and by whom? For what reason? How does Ariana’s faith play a role?

Finally, after the safe return of his intended, how does Philip—a man of intense discrimination in his tastes—find the many alterations in his house? And what on earth is behind the sudden influx of bills from every charity in London, all thanking him profusely for his uncommon generosity? Will he have second thoughts about his future bride?

Readers will find romance, intrigue, humor, and inspiration in this new book of spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul.

Coming April 1, 2009

As Ariana Forsythe plans her wedding to Philip Mornay, she must adjust to the realization that she is soon to become the wife of an extremely wealthy man. She wonders if it’s wrong to rejoice that her future husband is rich. But she promises herself to use her new position to do what she can to aid the numerous street waifs she sees all too often in London.

During a tour of her future home—the house in Grosvenor Square—Ariana makes plans to redecorate according to her tastes. But when Philip arrives home later, he is informed that an expensive silver candlestick and a miniature portrait of George III have gone missing. Moreover, each time Ariana visits the house, accompanied by a friend or relation, another item disappears.