The Lady of Fairhaven
by Lee Scott
After the sudden death of her parents, Lady Gillian Blakely takes over the responsibilities of managing Fairhaven, the family estate. Her father did arrange a proper match in marriage for Gillian. On his deathbed Gillian’s father sent for Oliver Blakely to act as his niece’s guardian. Gillian is the infamous chatelaine, known for her savvy management style, but was her world ready for a woman who could think on her own?
Gillian’s destitute uncle assumes his role as guardian, usurping many of the responsibilities of the castle while exploiting the newfound wealth. Gillian struggles to maintain her position. Oliver’s ambitious and spiteful leman, Katherine, attempts to oust the Gillian by any means available.
In Oliver’s greedy pursuits, Gillian’s authority erodes. After a lightning fire spreads throughout the local village, Gillian steps forward to aid in the rebuilding. Oliver extracts revenge by meting out a sound beating after Gillian challenges his authority.
Oliver arranges an advantageous marriage with her father’s peer to separate Gillian from her money. Gillian reluctantly agrees to marry Phillip Thornburgh. The marriage provides an escape, but Gillian is concerned about marrying a stranger of her father’s age, as well as the increased violence at Oliver’s hands. Fearing for her life, Gillian flees her home.
Traveling north to consult with her Aunt Elinor, Gillian and her maid are met by Luke Thornburgh, a knight, and the son of her intended husband. Luke innocently returns the unwilling mystery heiress back to Fairhaven.
Luke vows to protect Gillian, however, while Luke and Oliver leave on a hunting trip, the scheming Katherine has Gillian kidnapped from within the castle walls.
Lady Gillian escapes her bonds, but wanders, but is lost in the forest. Luke organizes a search party and first locates the bungling captor, and then retrieves Gillian. Although responsible for the crime, Katherine remains at Fairhaven. She taunts Gillian about the authority she had assumed at Fairhaven and her presumed trysts with Luke. Lady Gillian is broken in heart and spirit.
Luke escorts Gillian, and her maid to Longmore. Unfortunately, the kidnapping plot established by Katherine continues to plague Gillian. Brigands set upon the entourage as they travel, and Gillian’s life is put at risk. Luke fights the attackers until Phillip, his father, reinforces his warriors.
In an effort to protect the ladies, the women are escorted away from the fray, but are dangerously outnumbered and fall into the hands of the attackers. Luke and Phillip soon find Gillian and she is immediately taken to Longmore to be wed to Phillip. Still suffering from the elements, she is not bedded and remains a virgin. On her wedding night, the castle is breached and Gillian along with her stepdaughter Alyssa are abducted. During the attack, Gillian’s new husband is struck with a mortal blow.
Gillian is taken back to her familial home, Fairhaven, and thrown into the dungeon on the orders from Katherine, who is now acting as chatelaine. With the help of disgruntled knights from Fairhaven, Gillian is once again rescued. Gillian struggles with her bleak future, but Luke refuses to give up hope, and puts his plan to claim his love into motion.
Luke wonders if he and Gillian will ever be together. Will he lose her to a life of seclusion in the abbey? Their king holds their happiness in his hands.
[http://www.amazon.com/The-Lady-of-Fai...](http://www.amazon.com/The-Lady-of-Fairhaven-ebook/dp/B00798NNQO/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330955425&sr=1-4)
Gillian’s destitute uncle assumes his role as guardian, usurping many of the responsibilities of the castle while exploiting the newfound wealth. Gillian struggles to maintain her position. Oliver’s ambitious and spiteful leman, Katherine, attempts to oust the Gillian by any means available.
In Oliver’s greedy pursuits, Gillian’s authority erodes. After a lightning fire spreads throughout the local village, Gillian steps forward to aid in the rebuilding. Oliver extracts revenge by meting out a sound beating after Gillian challenges his authority.
Oliver arranges an advantageous marriage with her father’s peer to separate Gillian from her money. Gillian reluctantly agrees to marry Phillip Thornburgh. The marriage provides an escape, but Gillian is concerned about marrying a stranger of her father’s age, as well as the increased violence at Oliver’s hands. Fearing for her life, Gillian flees her home.
Traveling north to consult with her Aunt Elinor, Gillian and her maid are met by Luke Thornburgh, a knight, and the son of her intended husband. Luke innocently returns the unwilling mystery heiress back to Fairhaven.
Luke vows to protect Gillian, however, while Luke and Oliver leave on a hunting trip, the scheming Katherine has Gillian kidnapped from within the castle walls.
Lady Gillian escapes her bonds, but wanders, but is lost in the forest. Luke organizes a search party and first locates the bungling captor, and then retrieves Gillian. Although responsible for the crime, Katherine remains at Fairhaven. She taunts Gillian about the authority she had assumed at Fairhaven and her presumed trysts with Luke. Lady Gillian is broken in heart and spirit.
Luke escorts Gillian, and her maid to Longmore. Unfortunately, the kidnapping plot established by Katherine continues to plague Gillian. Brigands set upon the entourage as they travel, and Gillian’s life is put at risk. Luke fights the attackers until Phillip, his father, reinforces his warriors.
In an effort to protect the ladies, the women are escorted away from the fray, but are dangerously outnumbered and fall into the hands of the attackers. Luke and Phillip soon find Gillian and she is immediately taken to Longmore to be wed to Phillip. Still suffering from the elements, she is not bedded and remains a virgin. On her wedding night, the castle is breached and Gillian along with her stepdaughter Alyssa are abducted. During the attack, Gillian’s new husband is struck with a mortal blow.
Gillian is taken back to her familial home, Fairhaven, and thrown into the dungeon on the orders from Katherine, who is now acting as chatelaine. With the help of disgruntled knights from Fairhaven, Gillian is once again rescued. Gillian struggles with her bleak future, but Luke refuses to give up hope, and puts his plan to claim his love into motion.
Luke wonders if he and Gillian will ever be together. Will he lose her to a life of seclusion in the abbey? Their king holds their happiness in his hands.
[http://www.amazon.com/The-Lady-of-Fai...](http://www.amazon.com/The-Lady-of-Fairhaven-ebook/dp/B00798NNQO/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330955425&sr=1-4)