As a youngest son, Jag Martin has eagerly walked a life-long path toward the priesthood. Then his once-great family falters under a mountain of debt. Their only hope -- marry Jag off to an appropriately wealthy suitor.<br><br>Brace Rivers desperately wants more than just a short fling. However, his economic and political reality makes finding an appropriate male partner next to impossible. When the Martin family offers Jag's hand, it's a dream come true. But he fears the young man is being forced into an unwanted marriage.<br><br>Following tradition, Brace offers Jag a pearl ring valuable enough to save his family's fortune. Jag has twenty-four hours to accept the gift and turn his back on Brace, or return the gift and accept Brace's hand. Brace only hopes he will convince Jag that a life together is worth more than all the pearls in the sea.

If All the Sand Were Pearl

Brace stepped back and offered a formal half-bow, before allowing Jag to enter the room. “Welcome. Please come in.”


Silence settled over them as Brace shut the door. He had memorized the entire ceremony, each speech he was supposed to give, but now that Brace stood in front of Jag, all the words fled his mind.


“Are you hungry?” Brace finally blurted.


Jag seemed surprised at the question, but he recovered, and the smile returned. “Yes, thank you. I fasted today.”


Brace nodded. So had he. Tradition. Most of this stuff didn’t make any sense to Brace. He had always known he didn’t want to marry a woman, and so he hadn’t paid any attention to the lessons. It never seemed possible that he would find a spouse.


“We have a feast. More food than I think any two people could eat. Come, sit down.” Jag moved with an obvious grace. His limbs were long, but not awkward. What would he look like on the back of a horse? Wielding a sword? What would he look like without his heavy clothes?


Chapter 6