The Maid's Secret

by Val Wood

  The lad’s mouth dropped open, and then he closed it again. He glanced towards the crowd of lads, who were beginning to split up and wander off. He swallowed and licked his lips.

  ‘Yeh,’ he whispered. ‘He’ll be all right wi’ me. You can depend on it, mister. I’ll wait here in ’yard.’

  Noah dropped the penny into the boy’s palm and then made a slitting gesture across his own throat and a jabbing gesture with his forefinger. The boy took the reins and led the horse to the yard, away from the eyes of his mates.

  Noah hitched up his coat collar and took off his hat, ran his fingers through his long dark hair and pushed open the hostelry door.

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has published eighteen novels and has become one of the most popular authors in the UK.

  Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley.

  When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities.

  Find out more about Val Wood’s novels by visiting her website at www.valeriewood.co.uk

  Also by Val Wood

  THE HUNGRY TIDE

  ANNIE

  CHILDREN OF THE TIDE

  THE ROMANY GIRL

  EMILY

  GOING HOME

  ROSA’S ISLAND

  THE DOORSTEP GIRLS

  FAR FROM HOME

  THE KITCHEN MAID

  THE SONGBIRD

  NOBODY’S CHILD

  FALLEN ANGELS

  THE LONG WALK HOME

  RICH GIRL, POOR GIRL

  HOMECOMING GIRLS

  THE HARBOUR GIRL

  THE INNKEEPER’S DAUGHTER

  HIS BROTHER’S WIFE

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  THE MAID’S SECRET

  Version 1.0 Epub ISBN 9781473508200

  First published in Great Britain

  in 2013 by Transworld Digital

  an imprint of Transworld Publishers

  Copyright © Valerie Wood 2013

  Valerie Wood has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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