To avoid an unwanted marriage, Lady Cordelia Rowley must run away to the Highlands and disguise herself as a servant until her 21st birthday when she comes of legal age and regains control of her destiny. Captain Lachlan Shawe has found success and wealth in the Royal Navy, but he's made a few enemies too. While dodging the efforts of a dangerous assassin, Lachlan must find a capable, sensible wife to run his estate before his leave ends. Even though his childhood sweetheart has renewed her interest in him, Lachlan is drawn to an intriguing chamber maid who stirs something in him he let grow cold in the midst of the grim realities of war.

*Now published as a full ebook and paperback novel. Buy now on www.authoranhorton.com* How far would you go to keep a promise? When twelve-year-old Oliver Ainsworth promised his life to Avery Hastings, she never believed him. After years apart, through war and tragedy, it seems even more likely that he's forgotten her entirely. And she's moved on as well. Haunted by their parents' gruesome murder and the overbearing debt they'd left behind, Avery and her sister both sell themselves into different trades to make their livings, to pay back the murderer before he comes for them too. As for Oliver? The war came for him just like it came for every other young boy in their village. Or so Avery thinks. Until her employment with a wealthy family in France forces their two worlds to collide once more and she learns there's far more to the boy she knew than she could have ever imagined. Bound by a contract neither of them ever signed, they must come together again after years apart, after being worlds away, after becoming different people. A contract which states that they are overdue for their own wedding. But, after a lengthy engagement, when Oliver gives Avery the chance to opt out... will she even want to?