title: Gift for a Rake
author: Barker, Ann
description: Whilst Eleanor Carruthers is travelling to spend Christmas with relatives, heavy snow forces her to seek refuge at the home of notorious hell-raiser, Charles Christian Hurst. Although seriously injured by an accident that he was believed to have caused, and that also killed his wife, Hurst soon treats Eleanor to a sample of his rakish behaviour. Gradually, however, she begins to see another side of him, and the two are drawn together. But before their relationship can progress, more travellers arrive, among them Patricia Reynolds, one of Hurst's old flames. When the snow clears, Eleanor has to depart, leaving the field to her rival. Eleanor learns to her surprise that Hurst's disability may not be permanent. When in addition she discovers that Hurst was innocent of his wife's death, she longs to help him recover by telling him the truth; but even if he does so, will he turn to her, or will Miss Reynolds win him after all?