Laura Martin - Heiress On The Run

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.

Author Note

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

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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.

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

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.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Author Note

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Amelia ran through the trees, ignoring the branches that whipped at her face and the brambles that caught at her skirts. She was exhausted, her lungs felt as though they were on fire and the muscles in her legs protested with every stride, but still she kept running. Risking a glance over her shoulder, Amelia stumbled, her ankle twisting dangerously to one side, but she caught herself and managed to stay on her feet.

A loud clap of thunder sounded overhead and seconds later the sky lit up with a fork of brilliant white lightning. Amelia felt exposed in the bright light, despite the camouflage of the trees, and was glad when the world returned to darkness again. Now the rain started in earnest, big droplets of water that pounded against Amelia’s skin and soaked her within minutes. Her dress hung heavily against her, rubbing like sandpaper with every movement, and for once she wished she was wearing something more practical, less pretty, something that might keep her a little warm in this awful climate.

Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, Amelia listened carefully. She’d been walking over these Godforsaken Downs for the past two days, unsure where to go, where would be safe and offer her sanctuary. It had been bad enough when it was just cold and windy, but now, with the storm raging overhead, Amelia wondered whether she might die out here on these hills.

At least the village was far behind her now, the village that she had hoped might give her shelter for the cold night. That had been a bad idea. The first person that had caught a glimpse of her bloodstained dress and windswept hair had backed away, calling for her to keep her distance, and alerting the entire population to her arrival. She’d fled quickly, sparing a glance for the warm glow coming from the roadside inn, and continued her dash over the sodden hills.

Amelia was convinced the villagers would have sent people to follow her. Her face was probably on posters by now, her crime known far beyond the seaside resort of Brighton where it had been committed. She let out a small sob, wondering where everything had gone so wrong, and allowed herself a moment of self-pity. This was not how her life was supposed to be. Four days ago she’d had everything to look forward to: a new life in England, a reunion with the man she loved and a Season in London, whirling through ballrooms and sparkling in pretty new dresses. She had imagined being complimented and courted, not condemned and chased.