Mistress of Fairlyden — Gwen Kirkwood

As Mistress of Fairlyden, and happily married to William Fairly, Sarah feels her life complete. But, longing to share the news of her pregnancy with her friend, Beatrice Slater, Sarah goes alone to Muircumwell Mill, where she is attacked by the vengeful Edward Slater. The consequences of the day haunt Sarah, and force her to become the keeper of a disturbing secret. Months later, Alex is born a cripple, whose deformity Sarah blames upon herself. William cannot bear the fact that his son will never be perfect and a rift develops. Bored with the life of a farmer, William sets up a precarious business venture with Sir Simon Guillyman. But when Sir Simon dies unexpectedly, his attractive widow poses a new problem...