Book excerpt: She probably shouldn't have married him... Annis's life as daughter of the Rectory was a busy and happy one, certainly not lacking in love—but she loved Jake Royle even more than she loved her family. So when he proposed to her she didn't hesitate, even though she knew he didn't love her. Jake had said from the start that he didn't think love was necessary to make a marriage work. But even if she could accept his lack of feeling for her, would Jake ever admit Annis into his life?