Mrs Brownlow: A sensual romance

By Charlotte O'Hara

Since leaving an abusive marriage with only the clothes on her back, Kathryn Brownlow's life has quickly spiraled into poverty. Shunned by her aristocrat friends, the former lady of Brownlow Manor finds herself working at a seedy London cafe and struggling to survive. Life seems hopeless until a man in a grey Armani suit walks into her life. She soon finds out that Robert Cardello is sweet, kind and thoughtful - the complete opposite of her soon to be ex-husband - but will her traumatic past drive Robert away forever?
The novelette 'Mrs Brownlow' is the second installment in the Seven Counties Anthology.

The Seven Counties Anthology is a collection of loosely linked romantic short stories and novelettes. They can be read as individual stories. However, for an excellent reading experience, they are best read in order of publication.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte O'Hara
• Release date: May 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310239465

Book preview

Mrs Brownlow: A romance

Part 2 of the Seven Counties Anthology

By Charlotte O’Hara

Copyright 2014 by Charlotte O’Hara

Smashwords Edition

Mrs Brownlow

Copyright: Mrs Brownlow

Published: 28th February 2014

The right of Charlotte O’Hara to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

The Seven Counties Anthology is a collection of loosely linked romantic short stories and novelettes. They can be read as individual stories. However, for an excellent reading experience, they are best read in order of publication.

Mrs Brownlow is the second instalment in the Seven Counties Anthology.

Also by Charlotte O’Hara

CLAREMONT HALL

Part 1 of the Seven Counties Anthology

30 NIGHTS IN CORNWALL

Part 3 of the Seven Counties Anthology

Publication date to be advised

Chapter 1

Kat stared hard at the hulking, cherry red machine, as if just the power of her gaze could will it back to life. The machine had one purpose: to make a delicious, caffeinated brew to revive the cold and tired Londoners who visited the small café every workday. When it failed to carry out that one highly important function, it made for some grumpy clientele and a highly stressed barista.

At this point in her life Kat was sure she would be happy to never see another caffè latte ever again. No, strike that. That is too sacrilegious, she thought. If Kat had to be honest with herself, she was out of sorts because her daily intake of bitter, black goodness had been curtailed by faulty wiring and a budget electrician.

In the background she could hear the drone of heavy London traffic and smell the smog that filtered into the small café every time the door jangled open. Her nostrils were filled with a mixture of car exhaust, unused coffee grounds and dust.

It’s just until the settlement. Just a little while. She chanted her mantra quietly to herself while she cut some electrical tape to size.

If she had to be more honest, just a little while had turned into quite a long while. Twelve months to be exact. Her dear ex-husband, the Honourable Joseph Brownlow of Brownlow Manor, Dorset County, had been in no hurry to settle their disastrous marriage. It seemed he was too preoccupied with the new woman in his life; the one who now called the lovely manor house home. Kat couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor woman.

A rotund, cheery middle aged lady entered the service area from the tiny kitchen out back. Gerty was wiping floury hands on an old, fraying apron. The little woman lived by the maxim if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. An endless supply of floral smock dresses, combined with this ‘to the death’ attitude, had convinced Kat that Gerty had been born at least fifty years late. There must have been some glitch in the soul distribution system.

Looks like it’ll just be coffee from the pot today, my dear. Gerty told Kat cheerily. She proceeded to lift an old glass and steel coffee pot from a draw under the counter. Gerty dusted the knick knack off gently, like she was reacquainting herself with an old friend.

"No. Not from the pot! Not if I have anything to do with it." Kat said in determination.

She reached for her multi-function pliers and cut the thick wire that poked from the back of the coffee machine before deftly stripping insulation from the severed end. Reaching for the other end of the severed wire – the one still attached to the plug – Kat cut a large, four inch section off the end.

Gerty looked over Kat’s shoulder in interest. What are you doing, Kat?

Fixing the welding job that your electrician botched so badly. She emphasised the man’s occupation with air quotes. "I’ve cut the