Had Faith ever held anything so precious? “Oh, he is beautiful.”
Lydia leaned close. “If the way your husband looks at you is any indication, you will have your own before you know it.”
Faith flushed hot.
Henry cleared his throat.
Nathanial sat next to him, bemusement lighting his face.
“As I was saying,” Henry said, a smile gentling his words, “I took it upon myself to research your credentials, Goodman, and while of course, I have not received word from London, those here who know of your work speak highly of you. Your actions on behalf of the people of Salem support as much.”
“I appreciate that.”
“In light of what I have learned about you, I would like to procure your services.”
Nathanial and Faith exchanged glances. “I am honored, Goodman Dunham. What can I do for you?”
“Please call me Henry. As you may know, I entertain a number of business dealings. I would like you to serve as my attorney. The work will not be steady, but I am offering a hefty monthly stipend to ensure your services remain available to me.”
“And my residence?”
“You need only travel between here and Cambridge. The trips will be infrequent, and of course I will arrange transportation.”
“That is a generous offer. Surely your family already has established relationships.”
Henry nodded. “Indeed, but their loyalties are ultimately to my father.”
“Ah. That is a circumstance I know all too well. You seek exclusivity?”
“Would you object?”
“I would like to be free to barter assistances to my neighbors should they require representation.”
“Of course, as long as they do not require representation against me.” Henry grinned and stood. “Please, think it over. I will return in three days’ time for your response.”
Nathanial, who had stood alongside Henry, shook the man’s hand. “That will be fine.”
Faith regretfully returned baby William to his mother’s arms and bade the trio farewell. Once the carriage started down the road, she turned to Nathanial. “Will you take his offer?”
“What is your opinion?”
“It is all you could ask for. You knew all along the people of Salem could not support you in your profession.”
“This is true, but you are mistaken about one thing.”
“Which is?”
“It is not all I could ask for. I have that here, with my wife. It is hard to stand here with you and see anything but beauty, and in truth I cannot help but appreciate Salem, for it has given me you. But no matter how I grow to love it here, my affection for home will never be greater than my affection for you.” He pulled her close. “I love you.”
“And I you,” she whispered.
He grinned. “Although it does seem something is missing.”
“What might that be?” Faith asked, softly. Shyly.
“A babe. What do you think? A girl as beautiful as her mother?”
Nathanial’s baby. “I think you cannot choose.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Would you like to know what I think?”
She laughed as his kisses trailed to her neck, then her collarbone. “Have I any choice?”
“You always have a choice with me.”
She sighed playfully. “Very well then. What do you think?”
“I think we need to spend the next three days in bed.”
“And Cambridge?” she asked, though with Nathanial’s mouth seeking purchase through her clothing, she cared not for anything else.
“Come with me when I travel to Cambridge.” He paused his explorations and stared deeply into her eyes. “I want you by my side. Always.”
Her belly flip-flopped. “Anywhere.” With their home in Salem, there was not anywhere she would not go with him.
In response, he swooped her off her feet and carried her up the stairs. When they reached the bed, he paused.
“What is it?”
“I may have been mistaken.”
“About?”
“Wanting you beside me.” He lay her on the bed and yanked his shirt off, dropping quickly to rest on top of her. He grinned. “Beneath me works, too.”
Did you love this Scandalous novel from Entangled? Check out more of our historical titles here!
Acknowledgments
Oh, the people who have enabled me! I have to once again thank my editor, Erin Molta, for taking me on when I knew nothing of writing a historical. And before that, KL Grady, who was crazy enough to take me seriously when I said I should write a Salem romance, then back to Erin who said yes, absolutely, make it a series. And because I wouldn’t make it a minute without them, a very special thanks and lots of love to my absolutely incredible husband, who was infinitely patient while I hid in my “lair” to meet my deadlines, and to our six children, who did not use that time to destroy the house…at least not irrevocably. I owe you guys one. (Or ten.) And to my mom, who doesn’t lock the door and pretend not to be home when I drop off all six kids to spend the night so I can work in peace, THANK YOU!
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 www.SarahBallance.com.
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Discover the Sins of Salem series…
Her Wicked Sin
Colonial Salem
Henry Dunham comes to Salem on a mysterious errand, but is thrown from his horse and rescued by the local Puritan midwife, Lydia Colson. Lydia is running from her own dark secrets, pretending her dead husband is simply…away. When she and Henry are caught in a compromising situation, one punishable by Puritan law, he saves her from scandal by claiming to be her errant spouse…and claiming her bed. As their lies become truths, a witch hunt threatens their burgeoning love, and Lydia’s life.
An Unexpected Sin
Colonial Salem
After losing everything once, Josiah Cromwell wants only to start over. He has come back to Salem…for Anne. He never forgot his hunger for her sensual curves, and the years have not faded the forbidden sensations. But Salem has become a world gone mad with fear and no one is safe from the trials and baseless accusations. Will Jacob and Anne’s second chance for love come too late?
Other books by Sarah Ballance
The Marriage Agenda
Ruby Hill
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