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The Courtship
A BARGAIN WITH THE DEVIL?
Temporarily displaced Southern belle Jane Charlotte Davis was desperate to make enough money to return home. So when town banker Rydell Wilder, a Northerner through and through, offered her a loan to start her own business, she jumped at the chance. Even though the man was too handsome --- and too interested in her --- for her peace of mind ...
Once, Rydell Wilder had been the new, poor boy in town. Now he had the wealth and the means to get whatever he wanted. And what he wanted more than anything was Jane. But did he have a prayer of turning their business deal into a marriage contract?
Temporarily displaced Southern belle Jane Charlotte Davis was desperate to make enough money to return home. So when town banker Rydell Wilder, a Northerner through and through, offered her a loan to start her own business, she jumped at the chance. Even though the man was too handsome --- and too interested in her --- for her peace of mind ...
Once, Rydell Wilder had been the new, poor boy in town. Now he had the wealth and the means to get whatever he wanted. And what he wanted more than anything was Jane. But did he have a prayer of turning their business deal into a marriage contract?
299 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
About the author
Lynna Banning
77 books83 followersI was born in Oregon and raised in northern California. While growing up I listened to my grandparents' and my mother's stories about life on the ranch they owned in Douglas County, some miles east of Roseburg.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 17, 2014
Simple, sweet, and very tame romance set in Oregon in the aftermath of the Civil War. Isolated Jane had a lot of growing up to do but she still was a likable heroine. Ryder had been lovesick for Jane for years and then he finally had his chance to make her his. I really like getting to know Ryder's innermost feelings, frustration, and hope. The only thing that bothered me was reading through some of the southern-drawl conversation.
June 16, 2019
This book was just what I was in the mood to read; this takes place well after the Civil War but one of the main characters hasn't let it go yet.
Jane Charlotte Davis' father has recently died, years after moving his wife and daughter to Oregon. Jane was extremely over-protected by her parents; they never let her go to town without her father as a chaperone. Children made fun and called her Queen Jane, so her parents home-schooled her. Oregon is one of the last places one might expect that plantation life would be reinstated (after the Civil War). Now, at 26, Jane is unmarried and unable to keep food on the table. Her mother has retreated into the pleasant times before Mr. Davis died.
So Jane goes to the bank, owned by Rydell Wilder, to get a loan. She has decided to make dresses and garments for the women of the town. Rydell remembers Jane as the only person at school who was kind to him. He has been in love with her for 10 years. He is an admirable character; he raised himself up through hard work and sacrifice. He now owns the bank and is building a house for Jane (unbeknownst to her).
Jane doubts Rydell remembers her from school, but she needs $300 to open a dress shop. Thus, she has to go see a "Yankee" for the loan; she's not happy to place herself in debt to a Northerner (Jane and her mother seem to be the only people in town who are still fighting the war on a daily basis). When Jane offers her home as collateral, Rydell says he doesn't want it. However, he gives her the money with the following stipulations. If Jane cannot repay the loan, she must marry him. Jane is horrified but reasons that she will be a success.
But Jane does not know how isolated she has been until she opens her shop. She's never been encouraged to speak with the good citizens of the town (by either parent) and now she has no idea how to begin.
This is an interesting story on several levels. The plot-line is different. Jane is incredibly naive and must see how hard it is to earn a living -- so she can appreciate Rydell. It is fortunate that he has a sidekick, Lefty, who helps Rydell verbalize his angst. It is obvious in everything Jane does that she has no interest in marrying a Yankee.
This was such a great story that I read it in one sitting; I couldn't put it aside.
Jane Charlotte Davis' father has recently died, years after moving his wife and daughter to Oregon. Jane was extremely over-protected by her parents; they never let her go to town without her father as a chaperone. Children made fun and called her Queen Jane, so her parents home-schooled her. Oregon is one of the last places one might expect that plantation life would be reinstated (after the Civil War). Now, at 26, Jane is unmarried and unable to keep food on the table. Her mother has retreated into the pleasant times before Mr. Davis died.
So Jane goes to the bank, owned by Rydell Wilder, to get a loan. She has decided to make dresses and garments for the women of the town. Rydell remembers Jane as the only person at school who was kind to him. He has been in love with her for 10 years. He is an admirable character; he raised himself up through hard work and sacrifice. He now owns the bank and is building a house for Jane (unbeknownst to her).
Jane doubts Rydell remembers her from school, but she needs $300 to open a dress shop. Thus, she has to go see a "Yankee" for the loan; she's not happy to place herself in debt to a Northerner (Jane and her mother seem to be the only people in town who are still fighting the war on a daily basis). When Jane offers her home as collateral, Rydell says he doesn't want it. However, he gives her the money with the following stipulations. If Jane cannot repay the loan, she must marry him. Jane is horrified but reasons that she will be a success.
But Jane does not know how isolated she has been until she opens her shop. She's never been encouraged to speak with the good citizens of the town (by either parent) and now she has no idea how to begin.
This is an interesting story on several levels. The plot-line is different. Jane is incredibly naive and must see how hard it is to earn a living -- so she can appreciate Rydell. It is fortunate that he has a sidekick, Lefty, who helps Rydell verbalize his angst. It is obvious in everything Jane does that she has no interest in marrying a Yankee.
This was such a great story that I read it in one sitting; I couldn't put it aside.
January 1, 2016
Story of Jane Davis and her family moving from South Carolina to Oregon. She was not used to being in Yankee territory. She was kept shelter by her father and now that her father has passed she is trying to save money so that she can go back home with her Mama. Jane decides to become a dressmaker. The owner of the bank makes a deal with her.
He will loan her the money to pay off all the debt and start her business. If she is successful she just pays the loan back. If she fails she just has to marry Rydell Wilder (the owner of the bank). Rydell has loved Jane since the first they met as young children.
I enjoyed the story and found myself laughing out loud right from the beginning.
He will loan her the money to pay off all the debt and start her business. If she is successful she just pays the loan back. If she fails she just has to marry Rydell Wilder (the owner of the bank). Rydell has loved Jane since the first they met as young children.
I enjoyed the story and found myself laughing out loud right from the beginning.
February 3, 2018
4 e 1/2
"Rydell chiuse gli occhi, travolto da un bisogno di un’intensità senza precedenti: voleva una casa, una moglie, dei figli. Voleva appartenere a qualcuno. A Jane."
Un'ambientazione particolare, un periodo storico affascinante, un uomo disperatamente innamorato e una delicata farfalla che finalmente lascia il suo nido per imparare a volare...mescolate ben bene tutti questi ingredienti e verrà fuori una storia dolce e struggente come questa! *ç* Letto in un baleno, questa storia mi è piaciuta moltissimo e certo non è guastato il fatto che in realtà il vero incontro tra Rydell e Jane, che ha completamente stravolto la vita del nostro ero, sia avvenuto tanti anni fa, quando la delicata Jane non era che una ragazzina vittima dei bulli e lui già allora, pur essendo un orfano senza un passato e senza un soldo, il suo cavaliere ;D Dopo anni in cui l'ha desiderata ed osservata da lontano, dopo aver speso ogni briciola di determinazione ed energia per diventare un uomo rispettabile e facoltoso, finalmente Rydell ha la sua grande occasione...e non intende certo farsela scappare XD Se il bel banchiere mi ha colpito per la sua passione e devozione, anche Jane si rivela una controparte all'altezza e la maturazione che affronta nel corso del romanzo è notevole: da signorina perbene che quasi sviene all'idea di togliersi i guanti in pubblico a onesta lavoratrice che non ha paura di sporcarsi le mani...e di sfilarsi la sottana per domare un incendio XD Sullo sfondo le vicende di altri interessanti personaggi, come la balia ex schiava di Jane, e la questione del rancore e delle differenze (e diffidenze XD) tra nord e sud post guerra civile... consigliatissimo!
"Rydell chiuse gli occhi, travolto da un bisogno di un’intensità senza precedenti: voleva una casa, una moglie, dei figli. Voleva appartenere a qualcuno. A Jane."
Un'ambientazione particolare, un periodo storico affascinante, un uomo disperatamente innamorato e una delicata farfalla che finalmente lascia il suo nido per imparare a volare...mescolate ben bene tutti questi ingredienti e verrà fuori una storia dolce e struggente come questa! *ç* Letto in un baleno, questa storia mi è piaciuta moltissimo e certo non è guastato il fatto che in realtà il vero incontro tra Rydell e Jane, che ha completamente stravolto la vita del nostro ero, sia avvenuto tanti anni fa, quando la delicata Jane non era che una ragazzina vittima dei bulli e lui già allora, pur essendo un orfano senza un passato e senza un soldo, il suo cavaliere ;D Dopo anni in cui l'ha desiderata ed osservata da lontano, dopo aver speso ogni briciola di determinazione ed energia per diventare un uomo rispettabile e facoltoso, finalmente Rydell ha la sua grande occasione...e non intende certo farsela scappare XD Se il bel banchiere mi ha colpito per la sua passione e devozione, anche Jane si rivela una controparte all'altezza e la maturazione che affronta nel corso del romanzo è notevole: da signorina perbene che quasi sviene all'idea di togliersi i guanti in pubblico a onesta lavoratrice che non ha paura di sporcarsi le mani...e di sfilarsi la sottana per domare un incendio XD Sullo sfondo le vicende di altri interessanti personaggi, come la balia ex schiava di Jane, e la questione del rancore e delle differenze (e diffidenze XD) tra nord e sud post guerra civile... consigliatissimo!
January 21, 2018
Did not finish. I couldn't stand the hero (oh yeah, he was all "I love her from ten years"! Didn't stopped him to be with other women... yeah his thoughts and his actions were completely different), and she was starting to get on my nerves from chapter two (or three). Also, a kitten was put in the book just like that, it had no purpose aside from letting the hero touch the heroine's hand. Yeah, just that. Then the book started to be ridiculous, and I couldn't stand it anymore -both the book and the characters. So, bye bye, goodbye and farewell.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews