The Captain's Lady (22 page)

Dear Reader,

Ever since I was an adolescent girl watching Richard Greene in the television series
Robin Hood,
I’ve had a great love for all things English. Not until I was much older did I learn that one of my direct ancestors was an Englishman who sailed to Lord Baltimore’s colony of Maryland in 1665. Despite these treasured connections to England, I am so thankful for the courage and wisdom of those Patriots who rebelled against the Crown and established the United States of America—much as grown children sometimes must break ties with parents who hold on too long.

Still, we Americans have much for which to thank our mother country: English Common Law, on which our legal system is based; the writings of John Locke that influenced our founders to establish a democratic government; and best of all, a godly faith that established a Christian tradition in America and made true justice and democracy possible.

Thank you for choosing
The Captain’s Lady,
the second book in my Revolutionary War series. In these stories, I hope to inspire my readers always to seek God’s guidance, especially when making the decision about whom they will marry.

I love to hear from readers, so if you have a comment about
The Captain’s Lady,
please contact me through my Web site, www.Louisemgouge.com.

Blessings,

Louise M. Gouge

1. As the story begins, we learn that Marianne and Jamie have a history: they fell in love when Jamie was in England the previous year. Marianne strongly believes that her love for Jamie is God-given, so she can hardly wait to see him alone to reaffirm her devotion. But even though Jamie still loves Marianne, he has decided their love can never be because he plans to spy on her father. How does that affect his behavior toward her? How do you think you would behave in similar circumstances if you were a man of honor like Jamie?
   
2. As a self-made man, Jamie possesses a strong yet modest sense of his own worth. But as a guest of the earl of Bennington, he must pretend to accept the rules of a society where people are valued more for birth rank than good character. Have you ever been in a situation where wealth was the criteria for the amount of respect you received? Where did you fit in the hierarchy? How did you feel about your place? How did you view others?
   
3. When she falls in love with Jamie, Marianne clearly sees beyond social rank to the real man. What makes her look beyond surface and material qualities to the man inside? How does her mother affect her views? Why do you think the countess ultimately gave her blessing on Marianne’s love for Jamie?
   
4. Marianne has always had her parents’ approval and love, yet her father is clearly disappointed in his four
   sons. Why is the earl so demanding of his sons but not his daughter? How would you feel in Marianne’s place?
   
5. At the time of our story, England was a “Christian” nation, yet the king and ruling class felt they had a right to force the American colonists to remain a part of their growing world empire. How do you suppose they reconciled a biblical Christian faith with their drive for world dominance?
   
6. Jamie is a sincere and spiritual Christian, yet he has come to London to spy on Lord Bennington. How can he reconcile his faith with the lies he must tell to succeed in helping the Revolution? Is there ever a time when it is acceptable for a Christian to lie? To spy? What examples can we find in Scripture to help us decide what to do?
   
7. In the midst of his spying, Jamie realizes he has a spiritual responsibility to help Robert Moberly comprehend the love and salvation of God. Even then, Jamie worries that Robert’s new faith might be weakened if he discovers Jamie’s covert activities. What unusual circumstances prompt you to share God’s love with others? Do you feel responsible to live your faith so others won’t stumble?
   
8. Although Marianne is twenty years old and knows her own mind, her society expects her to be obedient to her father. Jamie somehow manages to stick to his duty and leave her, even as his heart is breaking. Is Marianne right or wrong to take matters into her own hands? Why? Why not?
   
9. Marianne’s biggest internal conflict is not about running away from home but about knowing what to do once she discovers Jamie is her country’s enemy. Why does she finally choose to intervene to prevent the impressments of Jamie’s crew? What does this say about her character? What would you do in similar circumstances?
   
10. Marianne has been “delicately” raised by loving parents, who gave her both material possessions and a spiritual heritage. How do you think she will manage in her new home in the East Florida wilderness without a lady’s maid and other trappings of wealth? How will she manage spiritually?
    
11. Even though Marianne and Jamie marry, they never reconcile their differences about the war. Marianne assumes the colonists will fail, and Jamie knows he must continue to do his part for the “Glorious Cause.” What kind of future do you foresee for them?
    
12. Which character changes the most in the story? Marianne? Jamie? In what ways did each one mature and become stronger? In what ways did they stay the same?