INTRIGUE. TENSION. LOVE AFFAIRS: In The Historical Romance series, a set of stand-alone novels, Vivian Stuart builds her compelling narratives around the dramatic lives of sea captains, nurses, surgeons, and members of the aristocracy. Stuart takes us back to the societies of the 20th century, drawing on her own experience of places across Australia, India, East Asia, and the Middle East.    Linda let the letter fall from her hands The truth came as a stunning blow and the full enormity of Charles's sacrifice became clear. He had married her out of pity knowing that she had only a year to live and not, as she had foolishly believed, because he loved her. Scalding tears burned Linda's closed eyelids. Charles must have given up the woman he loved in order to marry her. And if that were so, there was no point in fighting for her life. For without Charles's love she had nothing to live for …