Gentle Persuasion — Claudia Jameson

She was the prisoner of a gruesome memory

Lorna's heartbreaking childhood had taught her two things.

One was that to make it in this world, she must rely on nobody but herself. And she'd done an admirable job, running a successful ladies' wear shop.

The other was that she had no time for men. Her mother's procession of unpleasant, disgusting "boyfriends" had convinced her she was better off alone.

Then Lorna met the handsome, sensitive Anton Van der Buren -- and his love terrified her, for it loosed memories and feelings she'd suppressed all those years....

Hero: Anton Van der Buren
Heroine: Lorna Stewart