Ties that Bind

Dear John #1

In 1809 Virginia, Gwendolyn Vaughan's life is meticulously planned-a marriage to Michael Daugherty, the son of her father's closest friend, a union intended to solidify their families' legacy. To her father, it's a perfect match: the joining of two powerful families with shared ambitions. To Gwendolyn, it feels like a gilded cage. Beneath the surface of her poised demeanor lies a rebellious spirit, yearning for freedom from the expectations that bind her. When her path crosses with John Ahearn, the estate's skilled and principled horse master, their unexpected connection defies the boundaries of class and propriety. As Gwendolyn struggles against the constraints of her arranged future and Michael's increasing control, her forbidden bond with John grows into a love she can't ignore. In a world where duty and desire collide, Gwendolyn must choose between the life she's been given and the freedom she craves.