Stephanie Heaton is forty – a year older than her brother, Thomas, Baron Heaton – but being female, she could not inherit the title. She went to university in London but now lives in an apartment in Leeds, and owns and runs a company which designs wedding dresses.
Officially known as The Honourable Stephanie Heaton, she prefers to be known simply as Stephanie. One of her previous employers already knew she was the sister of a baron, the other only found out after she had been with the company for over a year.
Stephanie knows Thomas works too hard and has very few friends, so she has started buying clothes for him to replace the suits she hates and which he wears all day every day. She is also encouraging her friends to bring him for nights out to get him away from the abbey, even for only a short time.
When Sophia Nelson arrives at Heaton Abbey to begin work as tour guide, Stephanie is in hospital. Simon – Stephanie’s drug-dealing boyfriend – has hit her yet again. Stephanie suffered a miscarriage and lost a lot of blood.
Thomas knows Simon all too well. They were at school together and were – and still are – anything but friends. Thomas has begged Stephanie to finish with Simon and come home to the abbey but so far she has stubbornly refused. Thomas is very much afraid that one day soon Simon will kill her. Will Stephanie leave her boyfriend before it’s too late?
Sophia Nelson returns to her hometown in Yorkshire, England to begin a new job as tour guide at Heaton Abbey House. There, she meets the reclusive Thomas, Baron Heaton, a lonely workaholic.
Despite having a rule never to become involved with her boss, Sophia can’t deny how she finds him incredibly attractive.
When she overhears the secret surrounding his parentage, she is torn. But is it her attraction to him the fear of opening a Pandora’s box that makes her keep quiet about it?
How long can Sophia stay at Heaton Abbey knowing what she does?
Read an excerpt…
“Thomas?” There was a knock at the door and she bit back a curse. “Thomas?”
“Excuse me.” Getting up, he went to the door and opened it. Lady Heaton stood outside wringing her hands. “What is it?”
“I’ve just had the police on the telephone. It’s Stephanie.”
“Tell me?”
“She’s in hospital, Thomas. He’s attacked her again.”
“Christ.”
“We’re to go there.” Lady Heaton’s voice shook. “Now.”
He nodded. “Get your coat, I’ll get the car out.” Closing the door, he inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath. “Christ.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Sophia asked.
“If we’re not back, then the tours and the shop,” he said apologetically. “I’ll have a word with Des before I go. I’m sorry that you may have to start them again so soon.”
“Don’t be silly. I should go,” she said, going to the door. “I’m only getting in your way. I hope Stephanie will be all right.”
She returned to the flat, saw him reverse the Jaguar out of the garage, then walk to the door of Des’ flat. When he drove away a few minutes later, she peered out into the yard and saw light shining out from Des’ office. She went downstairs and knocked at the door.
“Des? It’s Sophia.”
“Come in.”
She went inside and found him sitting at his desk. “Do you know Stephanie at all?”
“Not very well,” he replied. “She went off to university in London and now lives in Leeds. She works as a wedding dress designer and comes back here the odd time. The boyfriend is bad news. That was his brother you saw the day you arrived.”
“Oh. What exactly does Simon do?”
“As little as possible, from what I can make out. His Lordship made the mistake of lending him some money a while back and now he keeps coming back for more. I think he might be a druggie. And so when he can’t come, he sends his brother instead.”
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Lorna Peel 