by Delia Parr
“Marry me, Annabelle. Today. Tomorrow. Or as soon as you’re ready to forgive me. However long it takes, I’ll wait for you to—”
“Today. Today will be perfect,” she whispered and stepped into his open arms where she belonged, her spirit soaring straight to the heavens. She wrapped her arms around the most treasured blessing He had ever given to her and held on to him with all of her might, her tears falling freely as she felt his heart beat against her own for the very first time.
Acknowledgments
I have been blessed again to receive great support during the writing of Hidden Affections, and I have many people to thank. As always, my editor, Sarah Long, helped me to fine-tune the story idea as well as the manuscript. Thank you, Sarah, for your generous spirit and your valuable insight. Linda Kruger, my faithful, faith-filled agent, gave me the idea to have a heroine and hero handcuffed together in my next book. I hope I haven’t disappointed you, Linda. My sister, Carol Beth, once again allowed me to spend the summer writing in her home on Anna Maria Island in Florida. I love you, sister dear! And to the lovely ladies at Shell Point, you made my summer very special once again.
Author Note
Hidden Affections takes place in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the winter of 1831–1832. I have tried to stay true to the area as it existed in the early nineteenth century, but I have used my “literary license” to create the background for my story.
The city and port of Philadelphia, for example, actually were frozen during the winter of 1841–1842, from early November until the middle of May. Outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera epidemics, unfortunately, occurred periodically, but I moved them around to keep them in the background of the story. Petty’s Island actually exists, although the rowdy behavior that took place there is dated a bit later.
The fictional country estate of Graymoor Gardens is loosely based on an actual house, The Solitude, which was built by William Penn’s grandson in 1784. The tunnel at The Solitude still exists and is historically significant because it is a rare example of perhaps the first tunnel in the United States that was built to be used by servants. The Solitude is still standing on the grounds of the Philadelphia Zoo, and groups of visitors can arrange for a tour. Readers who are interested in The Solitude can take a virtual tour by visiting the Philadelphia Zoo website: http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/zoo/Visit-The-Zoo/The-Solitude-House.htm.
Readers who are interested in the history of Philadelphia can find lots of fascinating information in two books that I used for my research: Philadelphia: A 300-Year History by the Barra Foundation (1982) and Imagining Philadelphia: Travelers’ Views of the City from 1800 to the Present by Philip Stevick (1996).
Several Web sites also provided historical information that was quite helpful. I am grateful to Yossie Silverman (www.blacksteel.com) and Stan Willis (www.handcuffs.US.com) for their help in understanding what Darby handcuffs looked like and how they worked. My colleague, Mrs. Christine Wilson, shared her knowledge of knitting with me, but I found an actual knitting stick that women used long ago so they could knit while “on the go” at www.needled.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/sticks. I encourage readers to visit to see Jane Brown’s knitting stick, which is dated for 1825, and also ask for their forgiveness for any mistakes I may have made while creating Hidden Affections.
Delia Parr
Books by
Delia Parr
* * *
Hearts Awakening
Love’s First Bloom
Hidden Affections