A Wealthy Widow. Anne Herries

      “Are you truly all alone? Have you no one to protect you?”

      Charles read the answer in her face. Looking into her eyes, he was conscious of an overwhelming desire to hold her close and tell her that he would care for her as long as they both lived.

      No other woman had ever made him feel quite like this. His stomach clenched with a fierce desire that shocked him by its intensity. And yet it was more than desire—it was a feeling he had never experienced before that he did not yet understand. He reached out, touching her cheek with one finger.

      

      “Arabella…”

      A Wealthy Widow

      Harlequin^®Historical

      Author Note

      In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, there was a passion for gothic novels. When huge old houses were lit by candlelight, and there were none of today’s modern conveniences, it must have been gorgeously frightening for society ladies to read of young girls cruelly locked away and at the mercy of evil men. How much more terrifying would it be for a young girl stolen from the bosom of a loving family to be forced to take part in a satanic ritual? And think of how her family must have suffered when she could not be found! But in the age of Romance there were at least three brave men willing to walk through hellfire for the sake of the women they loved.

      This trilogy deals with the abduction of Miss Sarah Hunter and the search for her by her brother Charles, the Earl of Cavendish and Mr. John Elworthy. It began with Elizabeth Travers and the Earl of Cavendish, and continues with Charles Hunter and Lady Arabella Marshall. The last book tells Sarah’s own story.

      The element of darkness is balanced by the thrill of romance, and I hope you will love reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

      A Wealthy Widow

      ANNE HERRIES

      TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

       AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

      DON’T MISS THESE OTHER

       NOVELS AVAILABLE NOW:

      #895 WESTERN WEDDINGS Jillian Hart,

       Kate Bridges and Charlene Sands

      You are cordially invited to three weddings in the Old West this May!

      Three favorite authors, three blushing brides, three heartwarming stories—just perfect for spring!

      #896 NOTORIOUS RAKE, INNOCENT LADY

       —Bronwyn Scott

      Her virginity would be sold to the highest bidder! Determined not to enter into an arranged marriage, Julia could see no way out—unless she could seduce the notorious Black Rake….

      Harlequin^®Historical is loosening the laces with our newest, hottest, sexiest miniseries, Undone!

      #897 COOPER’S WOMAN—Carol Finch

      A proper lady should have no dealings with a gunfighter who has a shady past, yet Alexa is bent on becoming Cooper’s woman!

      Carol Finch’s thrilling Western adventure will have you on the edge of your seat.

      #898 TAKEN BY THE VIKING—Michelle Styles

      A dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland. Now she must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive and a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms!

      Viking’s slave or Viking’s mistress? Annis must choose in this powerful, sensual story!

      #236 TALK OF THE TON—Mary Nichols

      Andrew Melhurst had come to her rescue when she needed him most, but should Elizabeth consider marrying him to save her reputation?

      Rumors and scandal in high society!

      ANNE HERRIES

      Winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romance Prize, Anne Herries lives in Cambridgeshire. She is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her books, although they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment and to give pleasure to her readers.

      Available from Harlequin^®Historical and ANNE HERRIES

      The Abducted Bride #135

      Captive of the Harem #145

      The Sheikh #157

      Rosalyn and the Scoundrel #166

      A Matter of Honor #173

      *A Perfect Knight #180

      *A Knight of Honor #184

      *Her Knight Protector #188

      **Lady in Waiting #202

      **The Adventurer’s Wife #208

      ‡Forbidden Lady #209

      †An Improper Companion #227

      ‡The Lord’s Forced Bride #231

      †A Wealthy Widow #235

      Look out for Sarah’s story in

      A Worthy Gentleman

      Coming soon

      Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Afterword

      Prologue

      ‘I had begun to think you would not come today,’ the girl said, smiling at her visitor. She was a pretty girl with soft fair hair that gently waved to the nape of her neck, though at the temples the wings of white testified to the suffering of a debilitating illness. Her eyes were a deep green, but there were shadows in them, and hollows in her cheekbones. She was recovering her health, but the nightmare of her past still haunted her. ‘Nana has been a little better this morning, but she looks forward to your visits so much—and so do I, of course.’

      ‘I know.’ Arabella placed her basket on the table. It was filled with delicacies, the kind of thing that would tempt an invalid to eat. Her old nurse had cared for her all her life until she retired to this cottage on the estate, and Arabella was very fond of the elderly lady. She smiled at the girl, of whom she was also extremely fond, loving her as she would a sister. ‘I look forward to them too, but Nana is so fortunate to have you to look after her, May. It was