The Convict's Woman — Janet Woods

Tragedy stalks the lonely windswept heathlands of 19th century Dorset, leaving Amanda Lapsly and her younger sister impoverished and without protection. She loses all she holds dear to a man she once betrayed, who seeks his revenge through marriage to her. But which of her enemies will ultimately betray her, and which of them will capture her heart?

The story starts in Amanda's childhood, when Seb, a young stablehand, is falsely accused of stealing, and is sent to Australia to serve his sentence. There, he strikes gold. Amanda's father, a man addicted to brandy, and who gambles heavily, uses his daughter's hand to pay a gambling debt. Racked by guilt, he dies tragically, leaving his daughters defenceless.