Special thanks to our well-wishers,

      who have contributed their congratulations and support.

      “The best historicals, the best romances. Simply the best!”

      —Dallas Schulze

      “Bronwyn Williams was born and raised at Harlequin Historicals. We couldn’t have asked for a better home or a more supportive family.”

      —Dixie Browning and Mary Williams, w/a Bronwyn Williams

      “I can’t believe it’s been ten years since Private Treaty, my first historical novel, helped launch the Harlequin Historicals line. What a thrill that was! And the beat goes on…with timeless stories about men and women in love.”

      —Kathleen Eagle

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      —Ruth Ryan Langan

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      “Thank you, Harlequin Historicals, for opening up a ’window into the past’ for so many happy readers.”

      —Suzanne Barclay

      “As a one-time ’slush pile’ foundling at Harlequin Historicals, I’ll be forever grateful for having been rescued and published as one of the first ‘March Madness’ authors. Harlequin Historicals has always been the place for special stories, ones that blend the magic of the past with the rare miracle of love for books that readers never forget.”

      —Miranda Jarrett

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      —Elaine Barbieri

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      —Karen Harper

      The Mistaken Widow

      Cheryl St. John

      

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This book is lovingly dedicated to:

      Dad, for being the best PR man a gal could want, and to Jay, for telling me I’m beautiful—even as deadline grows near…

      I know what I have done is unforgivable…

      All I ask is that you do not hate me. I planned to tell you the truth from the very minute I awoke in the hospital. But when I saw your grief, Nicholas, and when you offered protection and shelter for my son, I could not bring myself to speak the words.

      

      I am not Claire Halliday. I was never married to your brother Stephen. I only met him that night of the train wreck. He took me in out of the rain, and he and Claire gave me food and dry clothing and shared their berth with me.

      

      If

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