title: The Dahls' House: A Miniature Georgian Mansion
author:  Leigh Michaels 
description: Leigh Michaels (www.leighmichaels.com) is the author of more than 100 books, including historical romance, contemporary romance, non-fiction and local history. More than 35 million copies of her books have been published in 25 languages and 120 countries.
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  Chapter  
  13
  
  * * * * * * * * * *
  
  Zinnia stood in the courtyard and surveyed the imposing structure in front of
  her. “As we interior designers say in situations such as this, it’s got great
  bones.”
  
  This was the home that Nick had chosen for his bride, she thought. The place
  where he and the future Mrs. Chastain would raise a family. She did not want
  to admire the mansion. For some obscure reason, she longed to find fault with
  the soaring columns, graceful steps, and spacious gardens. But the designer in
  her was too honest. The old Garrett estate was beautiful.
  
  The house and well-planted grounds occupied an acre of prime-view land above
  the city. The main building was a large two-storey stone affair in the Neo-
  Early Exploration Period style. The architect had captured the exuberant
  spirit of the earlier era while managing to avoid the frothy excesses. The
  result was elegant restrained exuberance. This was a house that was i