Emma’s Secret

Emma’s Secret
Barbara Taylor Bradford

The book the fans have been waiting for: the much-anticipated sequel to the phenomenally successful A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE.The legendary Emma Harte, the heroine of A Woman of Substance, returns in this sweeping saga of power, corruption, love and secrets…Paula O'Neill, beloved granddaughter of Emma Harte and the guardian of her vast business empire, believes all that Emma left to the family is secure. However, beneath the surface tension is mounting and sibling rivalry brewing.Into this volatile mix walks Evan Hughes, a young American fashion designer. Her grandmother's dying wish was that Evan find Emma Harte. But Emma has been dead for thirty years…Troubled by Evan's presence, and her uncanny resemblance to the family, Paula turns to Emma's war-time diaries.Emma Harte comes vividly back to life. It is London during the Blitz. As bombs drop, sirens wail and her sons go off to war, Emma's trademark resilience, will power and strength all come to the fore. And as the pages unfurl, Paula discovers the secret Emma took to the grave.

BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

Emma’s Secret

COPYRIGHT (#ulink_96ddf002-c1c0-5e14-9f40-8956fe1612e7)

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 2003

Copyright © Barbara Taylor Bradford 2003

Barbara Taylor Bradford asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

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Source ISBN: 9780006514411

Ebook Edition © SEPTEMBER 2014 ISBN: 9780007330638

Version: 2017-10-25

DEDICATION (#ulink_b512d08a-90de-5af9-ad61-fae858338d86)

For Bob, as always, with my love

THE THREE CLANS (#ulink_bcfcc901-e3d5-5e51-8fb2-0350cd14edee)

The Hartes shown in line of descent

Emma Harte: Matriarch: Founder of dynasty and business empire

HER CHILDREN

Edwina:Dowager Countess of Dunvale: Emma’s daughter by Edwin Fairley (illegitimate). First born

Christopher ‘Kit’ Lowther: Emma’s son by her first husband Joe Lowther. Second born

Robin Ainsley: Emma’s son by her second husband Arthur Ainsley. Third born

Elizabeth Ainsley: Emma’s daughter by her second husband Arthur Ainsley. Robin’s twin. Third born

Daisy (Ainsley): Emma’s daughter by Paul McGill (illegitimate). Fourth born

HER GRANDCHILDREN

Shown in line of descent

Anthony Standish:Earl of Dunvale, son of Edwina and Jeremy Standish, Earl of Dunvale

Sarah Lowther Pascal: Daughter of ‘Kit’ and June Lowther

Jonathan Ainsley: Son of Robin and Valerie Ainsley

Paula O’Neill: Daughter of Daisy and David Amory

Philip McGill Amory: Son of Daisy and David Amory; brother of Paula

Emily Barkstone Harte: Daughter of Elizabeth and Tony Barkstone; half-sister of Amanda

Amanda Linde: Daughter of Elizabeth and Derek Linde (Elizabeth’s second husband)

EMMA’S GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

Tessa Fairley Longden: Daughter of Paula and Jim Fairley (Paula’s first husband)

Lorne Fairley: Tessa’s twin, son of Paula and Jim Fairley

Toby Harte: Son of Emily and Winston Harte II; brother of Gideon

Gideon Harte: Son of Emily and Winston Harte II

India Standish: Daughter of Anthony Standish and Sally Harte, Earl and Countess of Dunvale

Linnet O’Neill: Daughter of Paula and Shane O’Neill (Paula’s second husband)

Chloe Pascal: Daughter of Sarah and Yves Pascal

Fiona Amory: Daughter of Philip McGill Amory

Emsie O’Neill: Daughter of Paula and Shane O’Neill

Desmond O’Neill: Son of Paula and Shane O’Neill

THE HARTES continued

Winston Harte: Emma’s older brother and business partner

Randolph Harte: Son of Winston and Charlotte Harte