An Unexpected Sin (17 page)
Authors: Sarah Ballance
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Historical Romance, #virgin hero, #secret pregnancy, #Scandalous, #Puritan, #entangled publishing, #lovers in a dangerous time, #Salem witch trials, #forbidden romance
Not a breath was heard in the whole of the inn as they awaited Susannah’s response. When she closed her eyes his stomach swayed. Would she deny him? When they opened, she blinked back tears. “I have the letter you sent Anne many weeks ago. I was not able to forward it, for I did not know where she was, but I was not sorry to keep it from her. I was not sorry to keep you from her.”
“We already share a love for Anne,” Josiah said gently, low so only she could hear. “Perhaps we can share this quest toward forgiveness.”
Susannah took his hands and nodded. “That we will,” she said. “You have my blessing.”
Relief flooded him, but he had one more stop to make.
Anne’s grandmother.
Josiah laughed as he stopped in front of her. “All of this talk, and I know not your name.”
The old woman patted his hand. “Call me as Anne does,” she said. “As it seems you have made a great-grandmother out of me.”
“In due time,” he said, laughing.
“Go, boy. Claim your bride.”
That was approval enough. He went to a very tearful Anne and took her hands in his. “I have waited a great many years for this moment,” he said, “but I could ask for nothing more. With the blessing of your family, I wish to take you as my wife. Will you have me?”
“Yes.” She smiled with the innocence of an angel and pulled him close. With her lips grazing his ear, she added, “Every chance I get.”
About the Author
Sarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids). Though she adores romantic suspense, she writes in many genres. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found at
http://sarahballance.com
.
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Also by Sarah Ballance…
A Sins of Salem novel by
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Crime scene expert Corbin Malone doesn’t believe in ghosts. A born skeptic, he has no interest in entertaining the hype surrounding the mysterious deaths at Ruby Hill, but he won’t turn his back while more women die. He agrees to an overnight investigation, never expecting his first encounter to be with the woman he pushed away a year ago. But when he discovers Ashley is a target, he learns his greatest fear isn’t living with his own demons, but losing her for good.
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But she’s made the first move against a very dangerous opponent...
For Sebastian Thornton is no stripling to be trifled with. The lady has played her hand. Now it’s his turn. For Sebastian is in need of a wife. And to find a wife with spirit and fire—even if she means to only marry for his money—would be a great prize indeed. And he intends to thoroughly take his pleasure with her... and demand his own satisfaction in return.
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When a beautiful stranger ducks into his bookshop during a rainstorm, Cale Cameron, well-known rake, is instantly attracted to her. Elizabeth, Lady Thornhill, is restless and hungers for something she cannot name. Society would never accept a countess and a mere bookseller, so they agree to a one week affair to indulge their desire.
As their passion ignites and their connection grows, Elizabeth threatens the one thing Cale has protected above all else—his heart. Letting her go is the only solution…and the one thing he is not prepared to do.
St. Louis, Missouri, 1879
The only things that have kept widower Stephen Worth alive for the past two years are the promise of revenge against the man who framed him for murder and the love for Andy, his son, who was taken by the beautiful but vexing sister of his dead wife. Now, full of desire for her, he must convince Kate to trust him before she learns the truth about his past—but his demons are all the ammunition she needs to keep his son for good.
New York City, 1883
Self-made shipping magnate Christopher Black first spies Rebecca Bailey at a masquerade ball and is captivated by her refreshing naïveté and sparkling beauty. But when Christopher’s investigation of the murder of his best friend leads him straight to Rebecca, he fears his ingénue may be a femme fatale in disguise. Now he must decide if he can trust the woman he’s come to love, or if her secrets will be his downfall.
