Aggie's Story

Book excerpt: A tragic accident on the London docks A family struggling to survive And a girl who makes the worst mistake of her life… In the 1850s, tragedy strikes the Collins family when Aggie’s father is badly injured on the busy London docks. When their mother dies, Aggie and her younger sisters are left to fend for themselves and struggle to make ends meet. Aggie’s father is in constant pain, which is relieved only by his daughter’s skill with massage and regular doses of laudanum. But laudanum is expensive, and food is scarce. Aggie makes a desperate decision to steal food from the market, but to her horror, is caught and sent to Brixton prison. After serving her time, Aggie becomes a maid-of-all-work in the Gartrell household. She is forced to work long, hard hours, and the Dowager Gartrell never misses an opportunity to remind her of her past mistakes. Aggie finds solace in the growing friendship she shares with Viscount Richard Gartrell, the eldest son of the household. Aggie tentatively offers her help with massage to rebuild his body after injuries sustained in the Crimean war, after which their bond deepens. Although Richard is a perfect gentleman, Aggie fears the Dowager will instantly dismiss her if she finds out, for she is determined to see her son marry well and restore the family's fortunes. Her worst fears are realized. The Dowager mistakes their growing friendship for something more, and Aggie’s future is once again in doubt… but worst of all, she has to admit to herself that she has done what she was trying so hard to avoid. She has fallen in love with Lord Richard Gartrell, a relationship that is surely doomed...