The Apothecary's Daughter

“Both readers of faith fiction and general readers of historical romance
should enjoy this lovely first offering from Klassen.”

Publishers Weekly

“Klassen has written an amazing historical novel. Her style may
remind readers of Jane Austen and Lawana Blackwell, and she handles
a 19th-century taboo with grace, style and respect.”

Patsy Glans, Romantic Times

“It’s a rare book that forces me to press the pause button on my life
and simply devour the story this is one such book. Well-written,
emotionally charged, unexpected plot twists, and an amazing balance
of foreshadowing with backstory all lend to a remarkable debut novel
by author Julie Klassen. The tension builds throughout and keeps the
reader guessing until the last page.”

Michelle Griep, Novel Reviews

“This was an excellent first novel and one of the best historical novels
I’ve read this year. I am looking forward to Julie Klassen’s next book.
HIGHLY recommended.”

Deborah Khuanghlawn, Books-Movies- Chinesefood

“A delightful first novel. Julie Klassen weaves a compelling story …
fully imagined. I loved it! “

Beverly Lewis, New York Times bestselling author

“The characters are strong the writing excellent and the love that
blooms for Charlotte, in many ways and with many characters, will
leave you immensely and blissfully happy that good things actually
do come to good people after their dues have been paid.”

Amy Lignor, Once Upon a Romance

“Ms. Klassen has penned an exquisite first novel that echoes the era
of Jane Austen in both setting and style…. This novel engaged me
from the first page, and I can highly recommend Lady of Milkweed
Manor to anyone who delights in Regency romance.”

Tamela McCann, Historical Novels Review

“… not only a beautiful tale but a fascinating study of women’s roles in
a time not so terribly distant. I’d say bravo on a fine debut, and here’s
hoping for another finely crafted historical from Klassen soon.”

Violet Nesdoly, Blogcritics

“Lady of Milkweed Manor is beautifully crafted with characters that
will live on in your heart long after you’ve closed the last page.”

Kim Vogel Sawyer, bestselling author

“A strong and entertaining story that you’ll finish with a sigh. Read
it and tell your friends to buy it too.”

-Lauraine Snelling, bestselling author

“This is truly one of the most emotionally gripping novels I’ve ever
read and it is sure to make my best of 2008 list. My heart pounded
with anticipation so many times I lost count…. This story is so full
of passion that it will make your heart sing.”

-Michelle Sutton, Edgy Inspirational Author

JULIE KLASSEN

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Apothecary’s Daughter Copyright © 2008 Julie Klassen Cover design by Jennifer Parker Cover photography by Mike Habermann Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Klassen, Julie. The apothecary’s daughter / Julie Klassen. p. cm. ISBN 978-0-7642-0480-7 (pbk.) 1. Young women Fiction. 2. Villages-England-Fiction. 3. Fathers and daughters Fiction. 4. Family secrets Fiction. 5. Pharmacy Fiction. 6. London (England) Fiction. I. Title. PS3611.L37A66 2008 813’.6 dc22 2008041671

In memory of my funny, creative, hardworking father

HAROLD “BUD” THEISEN

OCTOBER 1937-AUGUST 2008

SHEPHERD’S PURSE

This plant is a remarkable instance of the truth of an observation
which there is too frequently room to make, namely,
that Providence has made the most useful things most common
and for that reason we neglect them….

-CULPEPER’S COMPLETE HERBAL @ ENGLISH PHYSICIAN

remember it clearly, although it was years ago now. For I remember
everything.

The year was 1810. I was a girl of fifteen, standing on the arched
Honeystreet Bridge which I often did when I was not needed in
Father’s shop gazing upon the brightly painted boats that floated
past. There a blue barge, and there a yellow-and-white narrowboat.
In reality, I was searching. Searching the face of every person on every
narrowboat that passed by on the newly completed K and A Canal.
There were not many women, but a few. For though men worked the
canals as pilots, navigators, and merchants, entire families sometimes
lived aboard as wives and children made for less costly crews.

My mother had disappeared on one of those narrowboats two
months before, or so the villagers whispered when they thought I could
not hear. I suppose I hoped she would return as she left, declaring
her absence a lark, an adventure, a mistake … anything. How many
hours had I stood there? How many boats had I seen pass beneath that
bridge boats with names like the Britannia, Radiant, or Perseverance? Where had they come from, I always wondered, and where were they
bound? What cargo did they bear spices from the West Indies, perhaps, or tea from China? Coal from the Midlands or timber from as
far away as Norway? How often I dreamt of stowing away and leaving
Bedsley Priors for the bright unknown beyond.

That day, however, I watched the yellow-and-white narrowboat
for another reason. A gangly boy with a cinched bag slung over his
shoulder climbed unsteadily from the moored boat. My father, standing on the bank, extended his hand in greeting, just as the boy leaned
over and was sick.