The Lost Dreams

The Lost Dreams
Fiona Hood-Stewart

In the wake of devastating tragedy, Charlotte MacLeod has come home to Strathaird Castle on Scotland's ethereal Isle of Skye. Burdened by guilt and pain, she remains determined to shelter her daughter from truths she herself can't face. But the arrival of Bradley Harcourt Ward shatters her tenuous peace.The handsome American with whom Charlotte once shared friendship–and, almost, passion–is now heir to the castle and land. But he is a man torn between his duties at the helm of an empire and his growing desire to return to the land of his forefathers. And his arrival ignites a string of dramatic events that will change their lives.For the secrets that have haunted Strathaird Castle will suddenly catapult Charlotte into a glorious new destiny in which she is finally free to love. But to claim the happiness she has so long been denied, she must harness the powerful legacy of three generations of MacLeods–a bold and indomitable will to fight for the impossible.

Dear Reader,

As a native of Scotland, I have always been drawn to the rugged beauty of the Isle of Skye, and the great history found in this land of churning seas, gentle countryside, ancient castles and local village pubs.

In The Lost Dreams I am thrilled to return to Strathaird Castle and the MacLeod clan. It is here, in this ancient fortress, that American Bradley Ward, caught between inherited responsibilities and new possibilities, must jump from being CEO of a multinational company and learn to become “Lord of the Manor.” Strathaird is also where Charlotte MacLeod must finally face the demons of her past, in order to reclaim her passions and her strength to face the future.

Some of you may already have met the MacLeod family in my previous novel The Stolen Years, which introduced readers to twins Gavin and Angus MacLeod, and to Flora, the woman they both loved. I, too, loved these characters. In fact, they became so dear to me that I had to discover what happened to the next generation of this captivating extended family. I hope you, too, will enjoy sharing their struggles, their secrets, their passions, fears and hopes, and most of all, the lost dreams they had never thought to find.

Happy reading!

Fiona Hood-Stewart

Also by FIONA HOOD-STEWART

THE STOLEN YEARS

THE JOURNEY HOME

SILENT WISHES

The Lost Dreams

Fiona Hood-Stewart

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

To John with love

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As always, my love and thanks to my sons, Sergio and Diego, for their patience and support. Many thanks to Andrew, Jojo and Francesca Grima for their help in researching the jewelry described in the text. To my sister, Althea Dundas-Beeker for her input on the management of a Scottish estate, and to my editor Miranda Stecyk, and Dianne Moggy.

Into my life you came

When least expected.

Out of the dark

You stole my guarded heart.

Led me by the hand

To new tomorrows,

Showed me love,

Then taught me to impart.

Gone are the tears of yesterday,

The sorrows.

Shed, the lingering shadows,

Gone the pain.

Now, in their stead

The flame of your love lingers,

Wonder, light and joy

Their newfound name.

Dream a little dream

And let it wander.

Dare to listen

Deep inside your soul.

Breathe love’s tender joys

And heartfelt treasures—

Can’t lose the dream

When now, at last, it’s known.

F.H.S.

Contents

Chapter 1 (#u9390ecad-653a-572c-82a5-bd23e6ff4a19)

Chapter 2 (#u40cfa4ec-4759-5d4e-9d5e-5f5991d0e628)

Chapter 3 (#ufb7b87d8-b64d-5ff1-a0e5-580651073897)

Chapter 4 (#uaa9605a5-3faa-511b-a71c-3d3903306f2b)

Chapter 5 (#uba9e6f2a-5ac1-555c-bf2c-60e6a4ec8b03)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)