Booked for Love

By Alys Newman

When Eleanor met Owain at her sister's wedding the previous year, sparks flew.

No one guessed that Eleanor had fallen in love with Owain or that she was running scared.

Owain pursued Eleanor to the North of England, only to find out she had suffered physically during her previous marriage.

Owain sets out to prove to Eleanor that he is a man she can trust.

Can Eleanor forget past hurts and start a new future or will the past overshadow their future together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alys Newman
• Release date: May 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370358267

Alys Newman

Alys Newman is an author and harbours a strong passion for history. She writes romance books entwined with historical themes set in modern times.Trained as a medieval historian, Alys Newman is also a regular contributor of historical articles to a number of popular magazine titles.She lives with her family in the north of England, near the Northumberland border. Where she takes inspiration from the amazing countryside and rich living history.

Book preview

Booked For Love

Alys Newman

First published in Great Britain in 2017 by

Little Books Media

County Durham

Copyright © Alys Newman 2017

The right of Alys Newman is to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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

To Philip, the man in my life. You are the one who supplies endless cups of tea, and who copes with my frustrations, and who applauds my triumphs. You are my inspiration, and still rock my world after all these years!

When Eleanor met Owain at her sister's wedding the previous year, sparks flew. No one guessed that Eleanor had fallen in love with Owain or that she was running scared. Owain pursued Eleanor to the North of England, only to find out she had suffered physically during her previous marriage. Owain sets out to prove to Eleanor that he is a man she can trust. Can Eleanor forget past hurts and start a new future or will the past overshadow their future together?

Alys Newman is an author and harbours a strong passion for history. She writes romance books entwined with historical themes set in modern times. 

Trained as a medieval historian, Alys Newman is also a regular contributor of historical articles to several popular magazine titles. 

She lives with her family in the north of England, near the Northumberland border. Where she takes inspiration from the amazing countryside and rich living history.

Alys is an avid user of social media & email contact her:

Twitter: @AlysNewman

Email: [e-mail]

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlysNewman

Chapter One.

Eleanor sighed at the sight of the alarm clock flashing away. It’s repeated flashing told her that there had been a power cut at some point during the night. She would like nothing more than to stay under the warm quilt, it was going to be too much effort to get up and face the world. She thought to herself: why was the bed at its most comfortable when you had to get out of it?

She reached out for her mobile phone, glanced at the battery and saw the time, then breathed a muffled expletive as she dived out of the bed and headed for the bathroom.

The lack of hot water ensured that her shower was achieved in the shortest time possible. After dressing she headed downstairs, where she snatched up a cereal bar, filled the cats bowl with food, grabbed her laptop, and then headed out to the van.

Eleanor climbed into the driver’s seat, and turned the key. Nothing! Eleanor’s day going from bad to worse ...

Oh, no not today, she thought as the van refused to start. Come on please! Her head dropped onto the steering wheel in frustration as she realised no amount of cajoling or screaming was going to make the engine spring to life.

What else was going to go wrong today?

She groaned at herself for tempting fate, and scared of what the rest of the day may bring.

There was no other option than to head to her own beloved Mini and navigate it through Durham’s old narrow streets. It was not exactly the ideal vehicle to transport heavy inventory to the book shop she owned with her best friend and sister, Catherine. However, it was a time of day that Eleanor liked, and luckily it was still early enough that the roads were free from traffic. The ancient city still slept, the cathedral’s bells had yet to chime, and shop owners were beginning to accept deliveries before the roads were closed to cars and became the property of the many tourists and students that arrived each day.

The shop was located on the main street leading up too many of the university departments, and to the cathedral, Eleanor and her sister Catherine had bought it with legacy from one of their grandparents so it had neither mortgage nor loan. Their parents had died years before and their grandmother had been the main influence in Eleanor and Catherine’s lives. It was seven-thirty by the time she got to the door of the shop and let herself in, her first job was to switch on the lights, after which she headed through to the small office at the back, filled the coffee maker, then thought about the day ahead. At the same time as the coffee maker did its thing, she opened her laptop and set her email away to download. Then she looked at the online ordering system to check what orders had been placed overnight.

It looked like it was going to be a busy day; she would need to check the shelves and stock for the orders. But, first she needed to arrange for the van to be checked and repaired if that was required. Eleanor thought before she dealt with all that, strong, hot black coffee was needed and she realised she would be on her second or third cup by the time Catherine arrived.

The Hughes sisters as they were before Catherine’s marriage, had the same above average height, delicate features, and natural dark red hair. They were separated by only three years, with Catherine the older and soon to be thirty. Eleanor felt that she was the stronger of the two in personality, although Catherine constantly told her that it wasn’t in her character to be as pig-headed and stubborn as her sister. Eleanor’s sister had married Gethin Lloyd in an elaborate wedding the previous year. Yet, after successful careers in the south Eleanor had decided to relocate back to the north of England. Eleanor had overseen the shop whilst Catherine had been away from Durham but she didn’t resent her sister’s need to stay in the south.

Eleanor had learned a lot in the time her sister was away and the need to hold on to life after being in a destructive relationship provided her with courage and a sense of determination she hadn’t realised she had. It also left her with a deep-seated mistrust of men.

An engagement, a gorgeous wedding to James Tyas, and a fairy-tale honeymoon had not prepared for the rapid transformation of her new husband. She had assumed, wrongly she acknowledged now, that she had brought on herself, and like many other women in similar situations; she had looked to herself for the initial cause of changes in James. It has started as harsh words and criticisms but this quickly escalated into physical abuse. After twenty-four months of being part of a nightmare she packed her stuff and walked away from him, and their monstrous marriage. After the divorce, she returned to the surname she was born with, got a cat, and focused all her time and energy on work.

The door chimed indicating someone had entered the shop. ‘Hi’ Eleanor said and offered a supportive look when she noted the tiredness evident in Catherine’s appearance. Morning sickness? Or couldn’t sleep?

Charming! Do I look that bad, eh? Catherine asked her.

Perhaps you could take heed of Gethin’s concerns, and starting to take it a bit easier.

Catherine frowned at her. Oh please! Since when have I been a pampered princess. Aren’t sisters supposed to stick together?

Of course … always. Eleanor quickly responded.

Are you suggesting I sit and watch daytime television? Gethin has staff to take care of the house and gardens, what else is there to do?.

Next to Catherine the shop telephone began to ring, she picked it up, and after a quick greeting passed it to Eleanor stating A local garage? with a questioning look.

After the call, had ended Catherine was waiting for Eleanor to explain the call. Trouble?

This morning the shop van wouldn’t start Eleanor told Catherine which had necessitated using the Mini this morning, it’s fine though they are going to be getting it sorted today.

As the morning passed, it was turning into a doozy of a day. Difficult customers, delayed orders and books being out of stock or print.

By lunch time the need grew for more coffee and food and she decided that she was getting hungry. The effects of the earlier coffee and snack she had grabbed on the way out the door that morning had long worn off.

I need to go and grab a sandwich or something. When I get back you should go and have a proper lunch break.

Catherine glanced at Eleanor after finishing up with a customer. I will be fine, I’ll just having my lunch here whilst we work.

You could, but I would rather you didn’t, Eleanor told her resolutely. You’ll take yourself off and buy some lunch and enjoy it, and not rush back.

Catherine frowned at Eleanor. If you start treating me as if I am fragile, you and I may fall out!.

Eleanor mischievously laughed. John? she guessed. The handyman and driver had been with Gethin’s family for many years in Wales, but had consented to leave Wales when Gethin had set up a permanent home in the north of England, and treated Catherine in a deferential manner that got her back up at times. I take it he still refers to you as Mrs Catherine?

Eleanor’s laughter was catching, and Catherine told her. He believes it would be unseemly if he didn’t.

Eleanor cherished Catherine, and they had always been close, sharing everything, apart from some of the less savoury elements of her marriage. Catherine’s marriage to Gethin Lloyd last year was one of the most joyous events in her life.

Gethin has booked a table for dinner tonight Catherine told her.

The restaurant Catherine named was a popular place to eat. Eleanor waited for her sister to offer more information about the booking. I am assuming you will come with us. Please.

The please was suspicious. What are you not telling me? Eleanor queried.

Catherine looked sheepish and added Two Lloyd men can be a lot for me to handle.

Eleanor’s stomach contracted, and the inner turmoil she felt must have shown on her face. Please not Owain, please no!

Owain arrived from North Wales yesterday.

No way on this planet, no way no how! as the image of Owain Lloyd invaded her thoughts. Towering over her, with eyes that pierced the soul and saw far too much. Eleanor was five foot eight, therefore Owain had to be well over six-foot, and was made of pure muscle, with broad shoulders and he was far too good-looking for his own good, and had a mouth that begged to be kissed.

And she knew what it felt like to feel that mouth on her own lips. Memories flooded back to Catherine and Gethin’s wedding. As chief bridesmaid, she had been partnered with Gethin’s best man, Owain. She had known where he was throughout the whole day; she had felt his brooding presence, the touch of his hand on her waist as they had performed their duties, and when they had followed tradition and danced together, she had felt that her heart was going to beat itself out of her chest.

Being so close to him had been torture. The attraction was wicked and steamy, and she had felt on fire. Their chemistry had not gone unnoticed and she had escaped onto the balcony as soon as the bride and groom had left.

Owain had followed, positioning himself close to her without touching. Eleanor had moved to leave, but somehow ended up being much closer to him. She never knew who had made the final move, but when their mouths met the world stopped and the air around them exploded with their passion.

She had never been kissed like that before. It was as if they were their souls were reconnecting after an eternity of being separated. Owain had tasted her, devoured her, and Eleanor had at times felt as if she was falling weightlessly.

It was only as he lifted his head that she felt utterly exposed. He stood still and silently watched her as he saw each emotion flicker across her face, and saw awakening of senses that had been held in check for a long time.

In the end anger won, and Eleanor had slapped him with a strength that she did not know she had. At that point she turned away and made her way back to her main ballroom, and regardless of decorum packed her clothes and escaped into the night and towards her home.

Now Owain Lloyd was in Durham. Her town, her haven, and Catherine and Gethin wanted them go out for a meal together!

Dammit, Eleanor breathed.

Catherine viewed her sister with interest. "So is that a no you can’t then?"

Urm, well, I’m … oh hell Catherine she mumbled.

Catherine’s gaze narrowed. Ok, do I guess, or is there something you haven’t shared with your sister?

No. Just accept I am declining your kind request.

Do you not like him, or did he do something? Catherine probed.

Eleanor sighed; she could feel Catherine was not going to let the topic drop anytime soon. I just don’t like the guy all right! He rubs me up the wrong way!

Oh, wow! What did he do kiss you? Catherine asked tentatively.

Eleanor could feel her cheeks colour up. Damn the man!

Eleanor, you rarely run from a situation her sister quietly stated.

Run, she wanted to hide until he left. Well, sorry! however, the man has no respect for personal boundaries, and enjoys pushing my buttons far too much for my liking.

Oh come on Eleanor! You are just as bad. Catherine offered.

Eleanor saw the challenge in Catherine’s innocent green eyes and she slowly