Sharon Schulze - The Hidden Heart

Praise for Sharon Schulze’s previous books Praise for Sharon Schulze’s previous books The Shielded Heart “A fine addition to the author’s l’Eau Clair Chronicles, and one that will make readers look foward to more!” —Romantic Times Magazine To tame a Warrior’s Heart “One swashbuckler readers will enjoy. K.I.S.S. of the Month.” —Romantic Times Magazine Heart of the Dragon—1995 Golden Heart Finalist “A moving and vastly entertaining tale...” —Old Book Barn Gazette The Hidden Heart The Hidden Heart Harlequin Historicla #484—November 1999 DON’T MISS THESE OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE NOW: #483 LADY SARAH’S SON Gayle Wilson #485 COOPER’S WIFE Jillian Hart #486 THE DREAMMAKER Judith Stacy “Perhaps you did not realize that this is my private chamber, milord,” Gillian said, her tone cold. “Perhaps you did not realize that this is my private chamber, milord,” Gillian said, her tone cold. “You must also be unaware that ’tis most unseemly for us to be here unchaperoned.” She met Rannulf’s eyes, tried to ignore the heat she saw smoldering there. “I suggest you leave at once, before my guardian discovers you here. I am certain he wouldn’t approve.” Rannulf closed the space between them and leaned close, his breath warm against her cheek. “You never used to mind us being alone together, Gillian. Indeed, I think you welcomed it...welcomed me.” Jerking back from him, she said, her voice little more than a croak of sound, “You, sir, are no gentleman.” “And you, milady, knew that already.” He drew closer as his hand crept nearer her chest. “I believe ’twas one of the things you liked best about me.” Letter to Reader Dear Reader, Welcome to Harlequin Historicals—stories that will capture your heart with unforgettable characters and the timeless fantasy of falling in love! Sharon Schulze returns this month with the fourth book in her popular L’EAU CLAIR CHRONICLES, The Hidden Heart. Since Sharon’s debut in our 1997 March Madness Promotion with Heart of the Dragon, critics have hailed her work as “rich” and “satisfying.” In this medieval novel, a beautiful noblewoman must guard her heart from the only man she has ever really loved—the Earl of Wynfield, who has returned to her keep on a dangerous secret mission. Watch love begin anew! Fans of Western romance will no doubt enjoy Cooper’s Wife by Jilhan Hart, the heartwarming tale of single parents—a lonely sheriff and a troubled widow—who marry to protect their children, but find a lasting love. And in The Dreammaker by Judith Stacy, also a Western, two people who are swindled by the same man go into business together to recoup their losses and realize their dreams—when love, the dream of a lifetime, is right in front of them! Award-winning author Gayle Wilson’s latest Regency-style historical, Lady Sarah’s Son, is the heart-wrenching tale of sweethearts, torn apart by tragedy, who come together again in a marriage of convenience and can no longer deny their enduring love.... Enjoy! And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell, Senior Editor P.S. We’d love to hear what you think about Harlequin Historicals! Drop us a line at: Harlequin Historicals 300 E. 42nd Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017 Title Page The Hidden Heart Sharon Schulze www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author SHARON SCHULZE began writing romances while pursuing her first career as a civil engineer, and discovered that confirmed day-dreamer /bookaholics can practice their craft anywhere, even somewhere as unromantic as a wastewater treatment plant. In her writing, she gets the chance to experience days gone by—without encountering disease, vermin and archaic plumbing! A New Hampshire native, she now makes her home in Connecticut with her husband, Cliff, their children, Patrick and Christina, and her “lovely assistant”—Samantha, a miniature dachshund. In her ever-shrinking spare time she enjoys movies, music and poking around in antique shops. Readers may contact her at P.O. Box 180, Oakville, CT 06779. Dedication With love and appreciation to my husband, Clifford— ever and always my hero. Prologue Prologue The Welsh Marches, spring 1213 Gillian de I’Eau Clair leaned over the curtain wall of I’Eau Clair Keep and stared down at the new grass covering her father’s grave. Nigh two months gone, yet the pain of his loss had scarce eased. And now to find this among her father’s papers! She crushed the unsigned betrothal contract clasped in her hand with all the strength of her aching heart and cursed the man who’d scrawled his stark refusal where his acceptance should have been. Rannulf FitzClifford—once the friend of the child she’d been, later her heart’s desire. As she had been his, so he’d led her to believe. The date on the agreement remained etched upon her brain—her seventeenth birthday, more than two years past—not long after his visits to I’Eau Clair had suddenly ceased, as if he’d vanished from her world forever. It seemed her father hadn’t allowed that fact to prevent him from trying to further his plan to see her and Rannulf wed. She raised her arm to toss the useless document away, then paused and let it fall to her feet. She dropped to her knees and pressed her cheek against the uneven stones as she fought the despair threatening to overwhelm her. She’d sent word of her father’s death to her godfather, the earl of Pembroke; her kinsman, Prince Llywelyn of Wales; everyone she thought might help her fight off the unknown foe who had harried her people and her lands since her father’s passing. She stifled a bitter laugh. By the Virgin, she’d even sent a messenger to her overlord, King John, though she hadn’t a bit of hope he’d bother to fulfill his duty. Though it had been two months, none had bothered to reply. In her desperation, she’d thought to put aside her wounded pride and contact Rannulf. She had searched through the documents stored away in her father’s chamber for some hint of how to reach him. What she’d found destroyed that plan, for ’twas clear by his words he wanted naught to do with her. The icy wind beat against her, whipped her unbound hair about her face and sent the crumpled missive skittering toward the edge of the wooden walkway. “Nay,” she cried, and lunged to grab it. The parchment grasped tight in one hand, the edge of the crenel in the other, she rose to her feet and let the cold, powerful gusts blow away the fear and cowardice she’d allowed to beset her. She smoothed out the contract and forced herself to read the hurtful message once more. She’d keep it as a reminder, lest she forget yet again that the only person she could depend upon was herself. 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 Copyright

Praise for Sharon Schulze’s previous books

The Shielded Heart

“A fine addition to the author’s l’Eau Clair Chronicles, and one that will make readers look foward to more!”

—Romantic Times Magazine

To tame a Warrior’s Heart

“One swashbuckler readers will enjoy.

K.I.S.S. of the Month.”

—Romantic Times Magazine

Heart of the Dragon—1995 Golden Heart Finalist

“A moving and vastly entertaining tale...”

—Old Book Barn Gazette

The Hidden Heart

Harlequin Historicla #484—November 1999

DON’T MISS THESE OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE NOW: