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A lady in need of shelter
Heiress Amelia Eastway is running for her life. Convinced she has committed a terrible crime, she seeks shelter in an overgrown country estate, only to discover the owner—a reclusive baron—does not take kindly to trespassers...
After losing his wife and son, Sir Edward Gray has shut himself away from the world. His honor demands he give Amelia a safe haven, but he’s determined to keep his distance. Until, that is, Amelia brings life into Edward’s home, and gives him hope for a new future!
Edward moved quietly, hoping to surprise the intruder.
The sight that met his eyes as he pushed open the door was not what he’d expected at all. Standing in front of the fire was a young woman in the process of undressing. Edward swallowed. She had already shed her dress and petticoat, and was now clad in just her chemise and stockings. Both items of clothing were soaked with rainwater, and the chemise clung to her body in a scandalous fashion, revealing much more than it had been designed to.
As he watched her chemise slipped from one shoulder, revealing the creamy white skin beneath. The young woman then bent down and started to unroll her stockings, sighing with pleasure as she peeled the wet material from her legs.
Edward knew he had already been watching for far too long to be considered a gentleman. Long-forgotten emotions were beginning to stir in his body, and as he watched the mystery woman arch her back and let her head drop backwards Edward felt a surge of desire.
In my job as a doctor I am lucky enough to be a part of many people’s lives. Sometimes it is my role to comfort them when they receive bad news, sometimes to celebrate when the news is good. Often people just want to talk—to discuss the highs and lows of their lives and figure out ways to make it through the tough times. Over the past few years I have seen many suffer sad bereavements, lose the very people they got up for each and every morning, and I have marvelled at their resilience and fortitude. Despite these devastating losses these people struggle on, and after a period of time things do start to get easier.
Nevertheless, I think the old adage ‘time heals’ is only partially true. I believe that it is what you do with that time that helps the healing process, and this was a theme I wanted to explore in Heiress on the Run. Edward’s bereavement is still fresh and raw, and he’s locked himself away brooding; it is only as he begins to accept that there must be a future for him that he can truly begin to heal. In writing Edward’s character I sometimes wondered if I had given him too much to bear, but I kept reminding myself of all the real-life examples that show people can endure and can flourish again no matter what.
Heiress on the Run
Laura Martin
LAURA MARTIN writes historical romances with an adventurous undercurrent. When not writing, she spends her time working as a doctor in Cambridgeshire, where she lives with her husband. In her spare moments Laura loves to lose herself in a book, and has been known to read from cover to cover in a single day when the story is particularly gripping. She also loves to travel—especially visiting historical sites and far-flung shores.
Books by Laura Martin
Mills & Boon Historical Romance
The Governess Tales
Governess to the Sheikh
Stand-Alone Novels
The Pirate Hunter
Secrets Behind Locked Doors
Under a Desert Moon
An Earl in Want of a Wife
Heiress on the Run
Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk.
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For Nic,
for all those marathon make-believe sessions.
One day I’ll forgive you for Jasmine’s head.
And for Luke and Jack.
you make all my dreams come true.
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