The Runaway Heart
A seemingly perfect plot. A ruinous tragedy. A desperate arrangement. When Isabella turns her back on London society, will she discover the endless delights of an ardent lover's embrace? Or will her life be ruined forever?Scotland, 1818. Lady Isabella Fielding has made a terrible mistake. Desperate to escape her father's strict household, the pregnant nineteen-year-old's practical-minded elopement to Gretna Green with a childhood friend has been brought to a murderous halt by highwaymen. As she cradles her would-be husband's dead body, she's stunned to be swept up into the arms of a strong-jawed and stormy-eyed Scot.Drew Gordon, Earl of Galloway, carries a dark secret. When he comes across a damsel in distress, he stifles his inappropriate reaction to the wounded beauty and focuses on giving her the care she deserves. But though he's taken a self-imposed vow to avoid marriage, seeing the shy girl blossom as she shelters in his home puts his oath to a difficult test.With Isabella determined to become a magnificent partner rather than some man's ornamental wife, she starts to dream about staying in the North forever with the man who sets her afire with every touch and kiss. But as the cage of Drew's duty tightens again, he decides he has no right to hold on to his heart's desire.With so many obstacles in the way of the future they want, will Isabella and Drew risk everything to win a happily ever after?The Runaway Heart is the steamy first book in The Gordons of Gretna Regency romance series. If you like gutsy heroines, impossible predicaments, dashes of intrigue, and fated mates who are perfect for each other, then you'll adore Jacinta Carey's spicy novel.Buy The Runaway Heart to thrill at a Gaelic burr today! Sensuality Rating This romance novel contains action, language, and love scenes that some readers may find offensive. It is intended for mature audiences. Note about the Book This is a full-length romance novel with no cliff-hangers, and a happily ever after ending. It is ideal for any reader who loves steamy historical romance, Regency romance like Bridgerton, dashing heroes, and damsels in distress who become empowered through love. About the Author Jacinta Carey is the author of the popular Starbuck Saga series of historical romances, The Ravishing Romans series, the Wild Heart series, The Gordons of Gretna series and The Kerrs of Kelso series. She majored in English, History and Classics at college. She loves to cook for her huge family, and adores cats Fun Facts Gretna Green was a popular spot for eloping couples to marry because it was only four miles over the border into Scotland. The marriage laws in Scotland were a lot less strict than in England in the Regency period (and indeed until the 1940s), so young couples could marry without parental consent. Gretna Green created a mini-industry based around weddings as a result. You can still visit, and get married at, The Famous Blacksmiths Shop to this day (current marriage laws permitting!). The word 'elope' is a combination words from French and English that meant 'to leap', and 'to run away'. We hope you enjoy following the couples in this series as they take a leap of faith on love, and allow their desires to run away with them.... Read more