Scars Upon Her Heart (The Scars of The Heart Series) Read online

  SCARS UPON HER HEART

  Book 1 of The Scars of the Heart Series

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Synopsis

  Reviews

  Copyright

  About The Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  More Titles by Author

  SYNOPSIS

  Lady Vevina Joyce and her brother are forced to flee Ireland after being falsely accused of treason. On the road with Wellington's army, they meet an unexpected ally in the enigmatic Major Stewart Fitzgerald.

  Side by side they fight with their new-found comrades in some of the most bitter battles of the Napoleonic Wars.

  Even when her fortunes seem to be improving, a series of seemingly random suspicious events begins to look like a pattern to Vevina. Soon she uncovers a plot so momentous, that all she loves is put in jeopardy, engineered by the person responsible for her family's disgrace.

  Vevina is forced to question the very foundation on which her new life has been built. Is Stewart really all that he seems? Appearances can be deceptive…

  Stewart was in love once before back home in Ireland, but the bitter sting of betrayal is more than he can bear. To love is to risk everything, and he can't be sure Vevina is worth the gamble. For despite her seeming patriotism, she has been labeled a traitor. Does he dare risk everything for love?

  Vevina must clear her name, protect those she loves, and stop the Grand Army from taking over the whole of Europe. She is willing to risk everything she holds most dear to stem the tide of Napoleon's quest for power, and win the love of the man who has come to mean more to her than life itself.

  Once inside, Vevina removed her blouse with her back to Stewart, while he brought the bowl of arnica.

  The warm fingers applied the soothing cream gently, and Vevina let out a sigh of relief and contentment.

  “I'm sorry I hit you during the fighting practice. How is you nose now?” she asked softly.

  Without thinking, she turned to face him.

  The sight of her magnificent breasts was almost more than Stewart could stand.

  Stewart managed to stammer, “Fine,” before he insisted daringly, “You lost. I won the bet, and I’ll take that kiss now.”

  Vevina’s eyes locked with his, and for an agonizing moment Stewart thought she was about to walk away. Her eyes flicked over his face and she understood the raw desire in his eyes. Though she blushed, she stretched up to reach his mouth.

  Go slowly, his mind told him, but his hands came up to cup her feminine fullness, and she gasped.

  Stewart took advantage of her opened mouth to plunder the honey-soft cavern with his tongue.

  Vevina found herself clinging to him with an abandon she had never thought possible in herself.

  “Vevina, you're so lovely,” he breathed, as he moved down her neck to her right shoulder, and then to the delicate pink tip of her breast.

  Sensation flooded through Vevina, and she held his head to her while he teased the silky crest.

  Her legs began to shake, and Stewart knelt down, bringing her onto the floor with him, while he moved to taste her other breast.

  Her hands caressed his shoulders and chest longingly, bringing him closer to her….

  Stewart murmured into her skin, “You are so beautiful, beyond anything I've ever dreamt of,” as he turned his sensual attentions to her other breast.

  Vevina’s body felt on fire, and she writhed under him in a tormented ecstasy of undefinable sensations. So this was what it was like to be made love to by a man, she thought in amazement.

  But she also knew it was more than mere physical desire. Her whole universe was becoming centred around Stewart, and it was at once both completely fulfilling and dangerous.

  “Stewart, I think we have to stop,” she whispered against his ear. Stewart raised his head to look straight into her eyes. “Do you really want to, Vevina? Tell me….”

  REVIEWS

  A selection of Scars Upon Her Heart Reviews:

  4.5 out of 5 stars

  Recommended for historical romance lovers

  By C. Penn "WordWeaving"

  Lady Vevina Joyce has gone from the toast of Dublin and Cork society to camp follower in only six months. To protect Viv, she and brother actually claim to be husband and wife as they aid the fight against the French as Napoleon Bonaparte seeks to control all of Europe.

  Major Stewart Fitzgerald rescues Viv from fellow soldier Sergeant Hawkes, who seems determined to not only harm Viv, but also her brother. Stewart feels as if he's known Viv before, little suspecting that she was the woman who once changed the course of his life. Taking both Viv and her brother under his wing, Stewart finds Viv to be an enigmatic and alluring woman whom he can't resist. Her beguiling mix of sensuality and innocence stir his passion.

  When their father was falsely accused of treason, Viv and her brother lost everything. But it was Stewart's brother that causes their horrible change in fortune, making Viv's rescuer's motives suspect. Hawke's interest in Viv and her brother clearly demonstrate an enmity that links to Stewart's brother himself.

  Deception and treachery lead Viv from war-torn Spain to the magnificent Alps, vividly created with talented author Sorcha MacMurrough's deft pen.

  While Viv's a little too perfect at times (I want to be able to accomplish as much as she can in a single day), the cleverly woven plot and magnificent sweep of history create a memorable tale of love and danger. SCARS UPON HER HEART is fascinating reading. Highly Recommended.

  Wordweaving Reviews

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  An historical romance novel to treasure.

  Scars Upon Her Heart is a non-stop adventure romance set amid the Napoleon Wars of 1811-12. The author offers us an trio of unforgettable characters in Vevina Joyce and her brother Will, and the man who befriends them, Stewart Fitzgerald, a Major with Wellington's army in Spain. Stewart rescues Vevina from the pesterings of the evil Sergeant Hawkes, and offers her and her brother gainful employment at her headquarters.


  He believes they are married at first, but this is just one of the secrets he uncovers with regard to the gorgeous Vevina.

  He soon learns that she and her brother have been accused of treason, and have lost everything, lucky to escape from Ireland with their very lives.

  Their accuser? None other than his own greedy brother Samuel. Soon a series of strange events have pit them all against one another, but Vevina knows love has nothing to do with logic, and everything to do with the truth of the heart.

  Stewart and Vevina's love story is literally an epic one as they support their commanding officer Wellington to turn the tide of the war and expose all the plots against them, risking everything they love in the process.

  Their romance is second to none, fairly scorching the pages. The historical details, mystery, settings and vivid characters, all make this historical romance novel one to treasure.

  Evelyn Trimborn

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Fantastic

  Amazon Customer

  If you like Sharp on TV, you will love this-great characters, rousing action, and a lot of fascinating facts and thrilling espionage. This author really knows the history of the period, and the romance is great.

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Fast-paced and intelligent.

  Amazon Customer

  I loved it. Fast-paced, intelligent, with sizzling romance to boot. The women are compelling, the men intelligent and sexy! Even if you don't know anything about the history of the Napoleonic wars, it completely sweeps you up into the action. The many twists and turns Ms. Mac Murrough provides are worthy of the finest mystery novelists, and the ending is superb. A cracking good read. I dare you not to finish it in one sitting.

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Excellent

  Barnes and Noble reviewer

  I couldn't put it down for a second! Wonderful characters, a fascinating time period, lush settings, all sorts of mystery and intrigue, and glorious romance as well, make this a real keeper.

  5.0 out of 5 stars

  Superb-a wonderful adventure romance

  Barnes and Noble reviewer

  This book had it all, from excellent characters to mystery, to adventure and drama. Every single one of the characters from the hero and heroine on down to the supporting cast, were people I really cared about and got involved with. The turmoil of emotions from love, to mistrust and fear of betrayal, were all here as well.

  The mystery was fantastic. I couldn't wait to find out the motives behind the actions of the villain, and whether or not the hero was really involved in all of the intrigue and had betrayed everyone he cared about.

  As if all the fabulous characters and events were not enough, there is excellent historical background, which reminds me of the Bernard Cornell 'Sharpe' novels. My only complaint is, that this book was so well-rounded, don't know if the author would be able to produce a sequel. More like this one, please.

  SCARS UPON HER HEART

  Book 1 of The Scars of the Heart Series

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  HerStory Books

  Copyright the author 1998, 2002, 2004, 2012

  Fourth edition with additional material, 2008

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  Under the 1988 UK copyright laws, the author asserts the right to be identified as the creator of this work.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-58345-139-7

  Published by HerStory Books

  http://www.herstorybooks.com

  HerStory Books is pleased to publish high-quality romances in a variety of genres.

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  Happy Reading!

  Your battle-wounds are scars upon my heart,

  Received when in that grand and tragic ‘show’

  You played your part….

  -Vera Brittain, 1918

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Sorcha MacMurrough is a multi-published author from Ireland who has taught English literature and English and Irish history. She has lived all over the UK and Ireland, including London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Her favorite cities to live in or visit are Bath and York. She loves old houses, castles and estates and can usually be found touring these locales to help make all of her settings come alive for her readers. Sorcha loves the Regency period and the Napoleonic era in particular, which form the beginning of the modern world as we know it.

  Her novels have been chosen as monthly "Top Picks" by Romantic Times, and she has also been nominated for a Reviewer's Choice award for best novel of the year by Romantic Times. When she is not writing, researching and teaching, she cooks, knits Aran sweaters, and enjoys spending time with her large family. She loves Irish dancing and music, and beachcombing on the shores of Donegal, Sligo and Galway.

  Chapter One

  The Iberian Peninsula, December 1811

  Lady Vevina Joyce bent over the freezing river rinsing her petticoats, and sighed for the hundredth time. The water in the swift flowing river was icy, much as it would have been back home, but she longed for the green pastures of her own beloved Ireland.

  Her hands ached rawly as she scrubbed. She wondered, not for the first time, how she was ever going to tend to her and her brother’s needs in such harsh conditions.

  After only two months in Wellington’s army in the Iberian Peninsula, her brother Wilfred had been punished nearly a dozen times for petty offenses. Vevina was certain it was only a matter of time before he was hauled up on a more serious charge.

  Her brother was a fine shot, splendid with a sword, but he had never been one for discipline if he thought it unfair. His rather refined accent had also earned him the enmity of many of the common soldiers in his battalion.

  Vevina and Wilfred had been passing themselves off as the children of an impoverished schoolmaster. But every time either of them opened their mouths, Vevina was conscious that they were causing comment and provoking unwanted curiosity and attention.

  With another discontented sigh, she slapped the last of Wilfred’s shirts against the rock and tried to work up a lather with the tiny sliver of soap she had left. To think that less than six months ago, she had been the toast of Dublin and Cork society. Now she was a mere camp follower, lucky to have a change of clothes.

  Vevina again found herself wondering uneasily if it had been foolish to drop her disguise of younger brother to Wilfred, and adopt women’s dress once more. She could sense that even though she was meant to be married, many men eyed her with something akin to lewdness.

  Her auburn tresses had dulled a great deal, and she had trimmed them from waist length to just below her shoulders to avoid the hardships of dirt and lice. Nevertheless, the ringlets still curled around her face, softly framing, according to Wilfred, "her beauty to perfection."

  She knew she had what had been deemed a fine nose, and generous lips in a charming shade of pink. Her eyes were a deep violet, which attracted all those who looked at her closely. Her fair skin had suffered a great deal under the Spanish sun and the harsh elements. But what did beauty matter compared with the struggle to defeat Napoleon and clear her family's name?