Linda Rae Blair

Claire: a Woman's Journey: Ny Heiress - Chicago Madam Linda Rae Blair

Publisher Marketing: "Spring, 1893 - New York City ... Gently reaching for the tiny fist that was pushing against her mother's breast, William asked, 'What shall we name her, Suze?' 'Claire. I would like to name her Claire, ' Suzanna said softly. 'Claire, ' he repeated, 'Well, little Claire, welcome to this big, beautiful world. Welcome to our family. I hope every day of your life will be filled with miracles as beautiful as you, my precious little girl.' When Suzanna reached for her husband's hand, he squeezed her fingers gently and raised them to his mouth for a kiss filled with all the tenderness he felt. How she loved this man and now this, their beautiful little girl. She too hoped that Claire's life would be filled with miracles and joy. When the child was finished with her very first nursing, William lifted her from Suzanna's arms, held the babe close to him and walked her around the enormous master suite of their New York mansion. The sun was streaming through the windows between the pale blue silk draperies, shining onto the silk draped bed where Suzanna rested watching them with a peaceful smile on her face. William watched his Suzanna as she drifted off to sleep. Good he thought, get some rest my beloved. You worked so hard giving us this beautiful gift today. You deserve a good rest. Then looking back at sweet, little Claire he knew no other day in his lifetime could bring him this same joy. He sat in the chair beside Suzanna's bed and just held the babe, rocking her for the next two hours while her mother rested. Neither of them knew that the future would not be so kind. Much of the joy would vanish; their standard of living would disappear. Murder would bring loss of love and safety. The fact that they could not see what lay ahead was perhaps the greatest gift they had this day, but that was a blessing of which they were unaware." Contributor Bio:  Blair, Linda Rae Artist, Linda Rae Blair, was born in St. Louis, MO; and has lived in Pacific Grove, CA; Seattle, WA; Hamilton, OH; and currently Raleigh, NC. The daughter of Chicagoans who transplanted to St. Louis early in World War II, she discovered a mystery in her own family history that fired her imagination. Upon retiring from the financial industry, she turned her efforts to painting and writing fiction.