Zara Stoneley - Country Rivals

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First published in Great Britain by Harper Impulse 2016

Copyright © Zara Stoneley 2016

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Cover layout design by HarperCollins Publishers

Cover design by Cherie Chapman

Zara Stoneley has the moral right to

be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book

is available from the British Library

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

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Ebook Edition © May 2016 ISBN: 9780008194390

Version 2016-05-10

‘A great treat for readers who love their books jam-packed with sexy men and horses’

Bestselling author Fiona Walker

‘Jam packed with horses, dogs, beautiful countryside, crazy characters and a wonderful sense of community.… .… … please let me live in Tippermere!’

Brook Cottage Books

‘Packed with fun, frolics, and an unforgettable cast of characters, Country Affairs is a must-read this summer!’

Victoria’s Pages of Romance

‘Delicious,naughty, fabulous, hilarious.’

Jane Linfoot

‘Hilarious, sexy and so much fun!’

Mandy Baggot

‘It’s fast, it’s funny, it’s deliciously naughty and it’s a bloomin’ good read!’

Ginger Cat Blog

‘Country Affairs packs a whole lot of plot lines, and depth into its compact bundle, and is a joy to read.’

Rachel’s Random Reads

For Alex

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Praise for Zara Stoneley’s Books

Dedication

Tippermere

The Residents of Tippermere

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Acknowledgements

Coming Soon From Zara Stoneley

Also by Zara Stoneley

Zara Stoneley

About the Publisher

Welcome to tranquil Tippermere, set deep in the Cheshire countryside. Home to Lords and Ladies, horsemen and farmers.

Set on the highest hill, keeping a close eye on the village and its inhabitants, lies Tipping House Estate. In pride of place is the grand Elizabethan style mansion, sweeping down in front of her are immaculate gardens, well-kept parkland and rolling acres that spread as far as the eye can see.

Follow the stream down to the flat below, and nestling between copses and lakes, you find Folly Lake Manor and the sprawling grounds of the bustling Equestrian Centre. The country lane in front wends its way between high hedges to the village green, the church and two village pubs. Then fans out into tributaries, follow them further and you find a small eventing yard, a scattering of country cottages and rambling working farms.

Take the road north eastwards, travel on a few short miles and soon the elegant village of Kitterly Heath unfolds before you - a village whose origins were recorded in the Domesday Book. At one end of the ancient high street a solid 14th Century church stands sentry, with an imposing school at the other, and all around sprawl the mansions old and new that house the rich and famous …

Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Steel (nee Brinkley) – disorganised but loveable daughter of Billy. In line to inherit the Tipping House Estate.

Rory Steel – devilishly daring and sexy three day eventer. Lottie’s husband.

Tilly – head of the terrier trio that accompany Rory everywhere.

Harry – Lottie’s spaniel.

William ‘Billy’ Brinkley – Lottie’s father. Former superstar show jumper, based at the equestrian centre.

Victoria ‘Tiggy’ Brinkley – wife of Billy. As friendly, shaggy and eternally optimistic as a spaniel.

Lady Elizabeth Stanthorpe – owner of Tipping House Estate, lover of strong G&T’s. Meddler and mischief maker. Lottie’s gran, Dominic’s mother.

Bertie – Elizabeth’s black Labrador.

Dominic ‘Dom’ Stanthorpe – dressage rider extraordinaire. Uncle to Lottie, son of Elizabeth, slightly bemused and frustrated by both. Husband to Amanda.