The virgin widow deborah hale pdf

A solitary old codger. Had Laura feigned the least show of grief when her husband breathed his last? Or had she celebrated her inheritance with a glass of something more bubbly and expensive than arrack? Simon uncorked the bottle and poured a liberal measure of clear, yellow liquor into each of their glasses. Back in England the stuff was in great demand for compounding rack punch , but Ford and his partners preferred it undiluted.

Sail home and forget you ever knew how to work for a shilling? Work had been his salvation—an opportunity to prove he could succeed at something.

It had provided a welcome escape as well. His aim had been to work so hard every day that he would collapse upon his bed in exhausted sleep, before bittersweet memories or dashed dreams had a chance to haunt him. Whenever he caught a stray whiff of orange blossoms, his nostrils flared and his breath raced.

Whenever he heard the strains of certain music, an ache of longing gnawed at his flesh. I shall need to put my affairs there in order. We have often talked about opening an office in London. This might be the right time. Ford did not tell his partners the other reason for his return to England, though he had been planning it for years, hoping this opportunity might arise. All that had saved him from despair was his unquenchable thirst to reclaim everything that had been stolen from him.

Bolting a drink of the fiery liquor that tasted like potent rum laced with rice wine, Ford pondered his plan. His life and his heart would be his own again. Hadrian lifted his glass in a toast. We need to be ready if that happens. Any profit Hadrian did not plough back into the company went to give his brother the best of everything money could buy.

By now Ford had drained his second glass of arrack and was feeling a trifle less guarded than usual. I am hardly one to give sage advice about women. Hadrian considered for a moment. Above all, see that he steers clear of fortune hunters. He would do everything in his power to put young Northmore on his guard against women like Laura Penrose.

With a rumbling chuckle, Hadrian drained his glass. Anything could happen by then. Cousin Cyrus had been dead for more than a year already and it would be a further nine or ten months before Ford could hope to reach England. And perhaps hoping he might catch a glimpse of Belinda?

Much as Laura appreciated his gift, she wished Sidney Crawford would conquer his bashfulness and propose to her sister. Then they could afford to eat fish as often as they liked, purchase the occasional new gown, and perhaps take Mama to Bath for a course of waters. Best of all, her family could vacate the house that had been their home for almost seven years, before its new master returned from abroad to evict them.

The effort made her gasp for breath. Sometimes she feared Mama would like to slip away from life altogether and be no more bother to anyone. Laura would have moved heaven and earth to grant her mother any wish but that. Having caught her breath, Mrs Penrose inhaled the succulent fragrance rising from the plate.

And Cook has prepared it just the way I like—poached in a very little water, without rich sauces to smother the delicate flavour. Laura gave a rueful smile. Married: The Virgin Widow. Her hands bound by blackmail and duty, Laura Penrose was forced to marry her sweetheart's ruthless cousin. Now a widow, her sweetheart has returned. Ford Barrett, Lord Kingsfold, believes Laura betrayed him and has a debt to pay—she owes him a wedding… and a wedding night!

Laura sacrificed herself once. A Gentleman of Fortune. Of course, they end u I'm a sucker for those "forced to marry" scenarios in romance novels. Of course, they end up falling in love again, but there are a lot of twists and turns that keep you interested throughout the way! The hero in this book is one of those wounded, angry heroes that just oozes sexy everytime he shows up on the page.

I've always loved Deborah Hale's heroes and this one was no exception! Great read!! Jun 21, SassyLeg rated it did not like it. Too boring - did not finish Mar 08, Lisa rated it really liked it Shelves: historical-romance , deborah-hale. Well for being a book about a theme I'm not crazy about, the big misunderstanding, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one.

Laura Penrose was forced to marry her sweethearts ruthless cousin, Cyrus and it forced Ford Barrett away to make his fortune abroad. Laura was engaged to Ford but abruptly ended their engagement via a letter and it broke Fords heart, and as he had creditors after him, he had to flee. Ford has now returned to claim his late cousins title and with the plan to extra Well for being a book about a theme I'm not crazy about, the big misunderstanding, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one.

Ford has now returned to claim his late cousins title and with the plan to extract revenge on Laura by forcing her to marry him and finally laying claim to her. Ah, but of course, the love that Laura and Ford once shared reflares almost instantly and they slowly start up a new relationship. Ford is very sweet to Lauras ailing mother and her two sisters and it helps break down a few barriers. Laura is holding a secret very close to her and eventually agrees to marry Ford to help her family, who is broke.

Now, there were many times I wanted to shake both of them and say "just talk to each other already" but the story moved along with bits and pieces of their battered past coming to light often enough that it helped with the flow.

When all the secrets of the past are finally revealed, Ford naturally over reacts but thankfully Laura sticks to her guns and finds a happily ever after for both of them. Their is a sweet side story for one of Lauras sisters that was a cute bonus. I mainly read this one as I had picked up the next in this miniseries, Bought: The Penniless Lady and it was nice to get a quick glimpse of the next characters. Overall though, this is a good story about one of my least favorite story lines and well done with just enough steam that I look forward to more books by Deborah Hale.

Deb Hale always pens an enthralling story, and for those who long for different venues from the ubiquitous English-set Regency, this is a read for you! This series features three friends and business partners who set off to make their fortunes in exotic Singapore.

Hale's evocative writing lets you see, taste and smell the fascinating city that draws in her heroes - and the heroines who capture the hearts of these rugged self-made men. Thinking she betrayed him, Ford Barrett sets out for Singapore, where he makes his fortune--and ends up inheriting the estate of the cousin Laura married. Now obliged to return to England to take up his duties as Lord Kingsfold, Ford wants revenge Feb 16, Kim rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical.

I loved getting to know Ford and Laura. Their complicated past kept me turning the pages and hoping that they would finally find love together. Ford returns home with quite a chip on his shoulder, which I don't blame him, but Laura doesn't deserve his revenge.

As facts get revealed, he is forced to rethink his plans. My heart went out to both of them. I can't wait to read the next in this series. There is just something special about Deborah Hale's books for me.

I really respond to her style and I loved getting to know Ford and Laura. I really respond to her style and characters. My emotions run deeper, my attachment to her stories never ends.

I reread her books whenever I need that connection. LOL I just finished this one and am already looking forward to reading it again! Definitely one I will recommend to everyone who will listen.

Jul 05, Nicole Laverdure rated it really liked it. I originally read this book in French! The Virgin Widow written by Deborah Hale.

Laura refuses to marry a man who refuses to marry her once. It is a romantic thriller featuring two characters who find love I loved this story and I will surely read the second part of his trilogy. This author has well described the history of this story by adding some interesting historical details I originally read this book in French!

This author has well described the history of this story by adding some interesting historical details. I have not been disappointed by this book and I recommend it if you like beautiful romantic stories. Mar 13, Michelle rated it really liked it. I oh so enjoyed this one. I am often reading one of Deborah Hale's books standing up - in my kitchen cooking supper, watching my kids play - because once I start reading them they are hard to put down.

This definitely falls into that category. Definitely worth a look - nice internal conflict, sustained right until the end. I've already started on the second book in this series and I suspect I'll be reading that one over my stove too: I oh so enjoyed this one. I've already started on the second book in this series and I suspect I'll be reading that one over my stove too Mar 22, Rain Hart rated it it was ok Shelves: historical-romance. What went wrong here?

This story had such a fabulous potential, and I hate to admit how disappointed it left me. Both Ford and Laura are likable enough, it started just right, it has all the elements to make it an interesting read, the plot is good I have no idea whatsoever.

It simply left me completely detached, and unfortunately feeling it was executed quite poorly. An interesting historical story about a woman who to save her family has married the cousin of the man she loved but who left her.

The cousin has died and the man returns to take his 'title'. Really finding out what happened and why is interesting. The storyline moves along quite nicely. There's plenty of interesting things to find out. This book was rubbish. It felt so disjointed, one thing happened then another thing happened without any warning what so ever even though it related to what had just happened.

It was slow and drawn out. Jun 27, A. I expected this to be a shallow historical romance novel. It was a far cry from being that. I was extremely surprised in a pleasant manner to see that it had depth both in the plot and in character development. It was really well thought and i loved the suspense.!