Unexpected Blessings

Unexpected Blessings
Barbara Taylor Bradford

The new blockbuster from one of the world’s greatest storytellers continues the legacy of A Woman of Substance.The great-grandaughters of Emma Harte, the heroine of A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE and EMMA'S SECRET, follow in her legendary footsteps…Evan Hughes, Emma's American great-grandaughter, is trying to integrate into the powerful Harte family. She is caught between her estranged parents, her new family, and new love. Meanwhile a dangerous enemy hovers in the background.Tessa Longden, Evan's cousin, is battling her husband for custody of their daughter, Adele. When Adele suddenly goes missing, Tessa seeks her sister Linnet's help.Linnet O'Neill, the most brilliant businesswoman of the four great-granddaughters, is the natural heir to her mother, Paula. But her glittering future at the helm of the vast Harte empire means many sacrifices.India Standish, the traditionalist in the family, falls in love with a famous British artist from a working-class background. Madly in love, India is determined to marry him.When Evan discovers letters from Emma Harte to her grandmother, the story is swept back to the 1950s. But it is the revelations in Emma's letters to her grandmother that give Evan a new perspective and help to set her free from her own past.This latest dramatic story in the on-going saga of an extraordinary family dynasty is full of love, passion and jealousy and is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her inimitable best.

BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

Unexpected Blessings

Copyright (#ulink_ca0c5f03-ece2-5c51-b725-1e080a91e33a)

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

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First Published in Great Britian by HarpercollinsPublishers 2004

Copyright © Barbara Taylor Bradford 2004

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

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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: 9780006514428

Ebook Edition © OCTOBER 2014 ISBN: 9780007330669

Version: 2017-10-25

Dedication (#ulink_f931e9c9-c205-5373-b1ec-adbefb5ff5a2)

For my husband, Robert Bradford,

to whom I owe so much,

with all my love

THE THREE CLANS (#ulink_eede148d-f7ae-5153-a368-1865e9c2603e)

The Hartes shown in line of descent

Emma Harte: Matriarch: Founder of the 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 Deboyne. 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 and Countess of Dunvale

Sarah Lowther Pascal. Daughter of Kit and June Lowther

Jonathan Ainsley. Son of Robin and Valerie Ainsley

Paula McGill Harte Amory Fairley O’Neill. Daughter of Daisy and David Amory

Philip McGill Harte Amory. Son of Daisy and David Amory. Brother of Paula

Emily Barkstone Harte. Daughter of Elizabeth Ainsley and Tony Barkstone. Half-sister of Amanda and Francesca

Amanda Linde. Daughter of Elizabeth and her second husband Derek Linde. Twin of Francesca, half-sister of Emily

Francesca Linde Weston. Daughter of Elizabeth and her second husband, Derek Linde. Twin of Amanda, half-sister of Emily

EMMA’S GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

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

Lorne Fairley. Son of Paula and Jim Fairley. Twin of Tessa

Lord Jeremy Standish. Son of Anthony and Sally Standish, Earl and Countess of Dunvale. Brother of Giles and India

Toby Harte. Son of Emily and Winston Harte II. Brother of Gideon and Natalie

Gideon Harte. Son of Emily and Winston Harte II. Brother of Toby and Natalie

Natalie Harte. Daughter of Emily and Winston Harte II. Sister of Toby and Gideon

Hon. Giles Standish. Son of Anthony and Sally Standish, Earl and Countess of Dunvale. Brother of Jeremy and India