Thirteen years ago, Annabelle Lawson lost her heart to an unsuitable man, Magnus Wallis. Their summer together was the most wondrous time in her life. Her lover instinctively knew she felt trapped by society's rules. Instead of shopping and preparing for balls, she preferred painting in the countryside in her comfortable, but unfashionable, boy's boots accompanied by her pet cow. Their magical summer of secret rendezvous ended when he admitted to using her to hurt her adopted brother. Since that summer, Annabelle can't trust any man and has had no relationships in her life. Her hatred of Magnus has only grown as the years have passed.

The son of a man society deemed unstable and dangerous, Magnus grew up knowing only cruelty and brutality. His father's family disowned them, leaving them struggling to make a living. As Magnus became an adult, he found himself shunned from society and falsely accused of crimes. He blamed his cousin for his troubles and when the opportunity arose, Magnus romanced his cousin's ward. When he discovered her to also be a misfit in society, he found a kindred soul. As much as he tried not to, Magnus fell in love with her, knowing there could be no happy ending. Caught in a lie, Magnus revealed his identity and left a devastated Annabelle behind when he escaped to America.

After 13 years, Magnus returns to England a successful businessman. He opens an art gallery and issues an invitation to Annabelle to include her paintings. She agrees, wanting to show him cold disdain at their meeting, but instead, she finds the fire between them has not diminished. Magnus pleads for another chance, and Annabelle must decide if Magnus has changed enough that she can trust him.

Ms. MacLean draws readers into her tale as she explores good and evil within the human heart. She places her complex characters in volatile situations with no easy solutions. PORTRAIT OF A LOVER is another strong story by this talented author.

Book Summary

A picture of deception...

Annabelle Lawson knew nothing about the breathtaking stranger she met on the train--only that he'd make an ideal model for the budding young artist... and that she desired him more than she believed possible. But after she'd been seduced, she learned that she'd also been betrayed. The man she thought she loved was really Magnus Wallis--a scoundrel like his father before him, the loathed cousin of Annabelle's benefactor, the honorable Earl of Whitby.

A landscape of love...

No longer the naively romantic girl who would tumble for a rogue, Annabelle cannot avoid a reunion with the despicable Magnus, who wants to include her portraits in his new London gallery. She means to show him her coldest face--but upon seeing him again, here every intention melts from the heat of his touch. It is clear theat Magnus still burns with love for her. But is he still the villain he once was, or can he be reformed into a man Annabelle can dare to love?

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