Miranda Jarrett - Gift Of The Heart

Cover Page

Epigraph Critical acclaim for Ms. Jarrett’s titles Gift of the Heart “…extraordinarily compelling and heartfelt romance from a delight to read..” — The Paperback Forum “Ms. Jarrett has a rare story-telling talent.” — Rendezvous “Once again Miranda Jarrett proves herself to be one of romantic fiction’s finest gems!” — The Literary Times Sparhawk’s Angel “…an unusual, delightful, and precious reading experience. 5 s.” — Affaire de Coeur 5 s” — Booklovers

Excerpt “I can live without being called ‘Mistress,’” Rachel said with determined composure. “As you please, Rachel Lindsey.” Jamie liked the sound of the name on his tongue. He had guessed she’d be called something more elegant, more exotic, the way she was herself, but now he’d never imagine her as anything other than Rachel. Rachel Sparbawk Lindsey. Lord, when was the last time he’d gone moony over a woman’s name? He let his bemusement slide drowsily across his face. “You wanted to trust me when I was dead to the world. But do you trust me now, I wonder?” She didn’t hesitate. “Not in the least.” “Good lass,” he murmured. “Not only beautiful, but wise you are, too, Rachel Lindsey. Don’t you ever trust me, not for a moment.” Then he smiled, and the sudden, devastating warmth of it was enough to steal Rachel’s breath away…

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Miranda Jarrett’s last title, Sparhawk’s Angel, earned her 5 s from Affaire de Coeur, 5 s from Booklovers, and a special mention in Kathe Robin’s “Tête à Tête” page in Romantic Times. And we are already receiving good reports back about her eagerly awaited new book, this month’s Gift of the Heart. Be sure to take home this touching story set in the wilds of the New York frontier where a woman, abandoned by her no-good husband, discovers happiness in the arms of a fugitive haunted by his past Beauty and the Beast is a new Regency tale by Taylor Ryan, who made her debut during our 1996 March Madness promotion of talented new authors. Don’t miss this wonderful story of a troubled nobleman who is badgered into health by an interfering young neighbor. We are also so pleased to welcome back award-winning author Dallas Schulze with her long-awaited Western, Short Straw Bride, the heartwarming tale of a couple who marry for practical reasons, only to fall head over heels in love. As well as Reader’s Choice Award winner Laurie Grant with her new medieval novel, My Lady Midnight, the intriguing story of a Norman widow who becomes a political pawn when she is forced to go undercover as a governess in the home of the baron she believes responsible for the death of her best friend. We hope you’ll keep a lookout for all four titles wherever Harlequin Historicals are sold. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Harlequin Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Title Page Gift of the Heart Miranda Jarrett www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author MIRANDA JARRETT was an award-winning designer and art director before turning to writing full-time, and considers herself sublimely fortunate to have a career that combines history and happy endings, even if it’s one that’s also made her family regular patrons of the local pizzeria. A descendant of early settlers in New England, she feels a special kinship with her popular fictional family, the Sparhawks of Rhode Island. Miranda and her husband—a musician and songwriter—live near Philadelphia with their two young children and two old cats. During what passes for spare time she paints watercolor landscapes, bakes French chocolate cakes and whips up the occasional last-minute Halloween costume. Miranda herself admits that it’s hard to keep track of all the Sparhawk family members, and she has prepared a family tree to help, including which characters appear in each book. She loves to hear from readers, and if you write to her and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope, she’ll send you a copy of the family tree along with her reply. Her address: P.O. Box 1102, Paoli, PA 19301-1145.

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Copyright

Critical acclaim for Ms. Jarrett’s titles

Gift of the Heart

“…extraordinarily compelling and heartfelt romance from a delight to read..”

— The Paperback Forum

“Ms. Jarrett has a rare story-telling talent.”

— Rendezvous

“Once again Miranda Jarrett proves herself to be one of romantic fiction’s finest gems!”

— The Literary Times

Sparhawk’s Angel

“…an unusual, delightful, and precious reading experience. 5 s.”

— Affaire de Coeur

5 s”

— Booklovers

Rachel said with determined composure.

“As you please, Rachel Lindsey.” Jamie liked the sound of the name on his tongue. He had guessed she’d be called something more elegant, more exotic, the way she was herself, but now he’d never imagine her as anything other than Rachel. Rachel Sparbawk Lindsey. Lord, when was the last time he’d gone moony over a woman’s name?

He let his bemusement slide drowsily across his face. “You wanted to trust me when I was dead to the world. But do you trust me now, I wonder?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Not in the least.”

“Good lass,” he murmured. “Not only beautiful, but wise you are, too, Rachel Lindsey. Don’t you ever trust me, not for a moment.”

Then he smiled, and the sudden, devastating warmth of it was enough to steal Rachel’s breath away…

Dear Reader,

Miranda Jarrett’s last title, Sparhawk’s Angel, earned her 5 s from Affaire de Coeur, 5 s from Booklovers, and a special mention in Kathe Robin’s “Tête à Tête” page in Romantic Times. And we are already receiving good reports back about her eagerly awaited new book, this month’s Gift of the Heart. Be sure to take home this touching story set in the wilds of the New York frontier where a woman, abandoned by her no-good husband, discovers happiness in the arms of a fugitive haunted by his past

Beauty and the Beast is a new Regency tale by Taylor Ryan, who made her debut during our 1996 March Madness promotion of talented new authors. Don’t miss this wonderful story of a troubled nobleman who is badgered into health by an interfering young neighbor.

We are also so pleased to welcome back award-winning author Dallas Schulze with her long-awaited Western, Short Straw Bride, the heartwarming tale of a couple who marry for practical reasons, only to fall head over heels in love. As well as Reader’s Choice Award winner Laurie Grant with her new medieval novel, My Lady Midnight, the intriguing story of a Norman widow who becomes a political pawn when she is forced to go undercover as a governess in the home of the baron she believes responsible for the death of her best friend.

We hope you’ll keep a lookout for all four titles wherever Harlequin Historicals are sold.