Publisher's Synopsis
Happily married to the rich and handsome Hugo Bowland of Redstone Lodge, Hannah is convinced that she has everything and more than she could ever wish for until the past finds its way back into her life and she becomes haunted by childhood memories and secrets.Beneath the apple blossom tree follows the early life of Hannah, a young girl who at only a few days old, was abandoned outside the orphanage in Little-Orangewood. Set in the nineteenth century the story tells of well kept hidden secrets and the heartache of forbidden love between the barriers of social divide. Rescued from the impoverished orphanage, Hannah is adopted and given a golden opportunity to live a full and privileged life, but it is not a life without heartbreak and emotional upheavals. When Hannah's beau, Gilbert King, mysteriously vanishes from the village of Little-Orangewood where he teaches at the local school, contrary to her adoptive father's beliefs, that he has merely endeavoured on a hasty escape to avoid any premature marriage commitments, Hannah is convinced that there is a more sinister reason behind his disappearance. A family bereavement and a chain of events forces Hannah and her family to leave the village to embark on a new and very different style of life. Now unable to pursue Gilbert's whereabouts, he is left to face his dire circumstances alone and loses all contact with his first love.A spiteful and younger orphan who becomes consumed with jealousy when a chance meeting brings her face to face with Hannah is determined to take revenge for the fact that she has not been given the same prosperous opportunities. Her unforgivable behaviour has detrimental and long-lasting effects on the lives of many. Will Hannah ever be free from her closely guarded secret and find true happiness again and will Gilbert King ever find true happiness again?
