Allan Marchmont harmlessly but meaningfully flirts with the lovely young secretary in his publisher’s office, hoping she might take a shine to him. What he doesn’t realize is that this particular attractive young woman is the widow of his dead Flying Corps comrade in the recent Great War.

Elaine Westwood is at first taken aback and annoyed by Allan’s flirtations, but she soon becomes intrigued by the handsome fellow. When she meets him again at a house party at her family’s estate, she is definitely attracted; but now he is the one annoyed at the supposed frivolity of a society girl who plays at working for a living when so many are desperate for employment.

But Elaine has her reasons for taking a paid job, just as Allan has his reasons for not coming to her sooner to deliver the last messages of her late husband. And they both have every reason to learn from each other that the scars of war must be healed over if lives, and love, are to go on.

Peggy Hansen lives in the Northwest with her husband, son, and dogs. She has bachelor degrees in French and Spanish literature. She has written Regency romance novels under the name Margaret Westhaven and is a member of the Jane Austen Society. Besides reading and writing, her interests include history, music, languages, running, English country dance, theatrical costuming, and travel. The post-World War I era has always fascinated her.

War Widow is Peggy’s first novel for AVALON.