Vera's Virtues (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides, #22)

Vera Mae Wigg is ready for an adventure, and her fellow teachers at The Wigg Foundling Home and School have been given the opportunity for just that. They are all heading west to start their own schools. But why hasn't Madam Wigg extended the offer to her and her friends? Is it because they're the youngest? When Vera insists on the same opportunity, she's discouraged to find that the deal requires she take a husband. So she answers an ad for a mail-order bride, where marriage is not a requirement upon arrival, in hopes of dissuading her groom from taking her for his wife, allowing her to focus her attention on her school.

David Thornton is appalled that his mother has been sending for mail-order brides while he's away on business. Now he must return to Freedom to deal with the issue and stop her behavior at once. But when he stumbles onto Vera in his bed, he realizes he has no choice if he is to protect their reputations. Although it may not be that easy.

Can David persuade Vera to marry and preserve her virtue as a teacher? Will a rush to the altar result in a happily ever after or a parting of ways?

This book, the twenty-second in The Mail-Order Alphabet Bride series, is part of the Journey to Freedom series.