The Secret Fear

The Secret Fear by Barbara Cartland is the story of Arabella, who is sent to live in the house of the Marquis of Meridale and care for a child who lives there. The Marquis is off fighting the Napoleonic Wars and a local highwayman is using his house as a cover. When the marquis returns, he is intrigued with Arabella, but other issues interfere before they can fall in love!

Francis Marshall painted 2 very different covers for this story. The Jove (US) one shows our couple standing outside. Our heroine holds a rose and is wearing a white dress trimmed in blue. The hero is handsome in a typical Cartland way and holds her. Note the menacing highwayman in the background!

The Arrow (UK) cover is less menacing, but very pretty. Our heroine is lovely in a pink gown with a bonnet in her lap. Her hair is loose, which would be unusual. She sits in a phaeton with the hero and we see a groom standing on the back. The hero holds the reins loosely while he converses with the heroine. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Update: Reader Tracey J reminded me that there was an old hardcover of this title with a different cover which I believe is also another Francis Marshall and am adding it today! Thanks, Tracey!!