Miss Debenham's Secret — Sara Bennett

A novella linked to The Husband Hunters Club series.

Clarissa Debenham is a young teacher living in Lyme Regis, when she meets Alistair McKay, a naval officer, who is on shore leave while his ship is undergoing repairs. They fall in love but Clarissa's father is against the match, and indeed it seems ill-fated when Alistair must go to war against Napoleon Bonaparte. They both know he may never return and even if he does, can they find the happiness they dream of?

Many years later Clarissa has a fashionable school for young ladies. She is successful and respected; she tells herself she is happy.

And then suddenly, shockingly, Alistair returns to her life.