Samantha's Secret
By Betty Bolté
Series: A More Perfect Union, #3
Genre: Historical Romance
Out April 21, 2015
Midwife
and healer, Samantha McAlester returns from the front lines to find Charles
Towne under British siege and the town's new doctor at war with its citizens.
Dr.
Trent Cunningham intends to build a hospital staffed solely with educated
doctors. What he doesn't need is a raven-haired charlatan spooning out herbs
and false promises to his patients, while tempting him at every turn.
Then
a mutual friend develops a mysterious infection. Trenton is stumped.
Samantha suspects the cure but knows treatment will expose her
long-guarded secret, risking all she holds dear... including Trenton.
“My darling, you look beautiful this evening.” Samantha’s father stopped before her and glanced at her mother. “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, of
course.” Cynthia sipped her wine, cutting off any further comment she may have
made.
“Thank you.
I’m so pleased that the weather cooperated so we could enjoy the garden
tonight.” Samantha let her gaze roam the mingling crowd. “Another week and it
will be too chilly to entertain out of doors.”
“Indeed,
indeed.” Aaron’s smile faded as he scanned the area, finally focusing on the
two-story home. “This house has served us well for many years. It would be hard
to find another as fine.”
Samantha
darted a look at her father, then noted her mother’s harsh glance and quick
squeeze of his arm. “It is a good thing, then, that won’t be necessary. The
British will pull out ere long and the town can return to normal.”
“How is
Evelyn?” Cynthia asked, abruptly changing the subject. “Pray tell me she is not
still crying over that man.”
“It is to be
expected she’d grieve the death of the father of her child,” Samantha said,
shaking her head, “even if he did treat her abysmally in the end. At one time,
she must have felt something for him.”
“Ah, you’re
being sought out.” Aaron motioned for her to precede him down the path. “Time
for your annual salute. Are you ready?”
She nodded,
aware of a sense of relief emanating from her parents, and made her way down
the path, her shoes crunching the shells with each step.
Benjamin
handed her a flute of sparkling wine when she reached the group of people
gathered by the banquet table. She frowned, worry blooming inside. His mouth
was pinched as though he fought pain. Not surprising after receiving a gunshot
wound to the shoulder that morning when he fought off the last of the renegades
with a little help from Amy. She peered closer.
“Benjamin, are
you feeling well?” Samantha studied his expression.
“I’m fine, a
touch tired after the day’s exertions.” He wiped his hand down his dove gray
evening coat then raised his gaze to look over Samantha’s head. “You made it!”
She turned to
see who Benjamin greeted and froze, her flute trembling in her fingers, the
liquid sloshing within the fragile crystal. Dr. Trenton Cunningham. His sandy
blond hair waved back from his open expression, his crystal blue eyes echoing
the wide smile revealing even white teeth. Broad shoulders filled the dark blue
evening coat he wore, a canary yellow cravat neatly tied at his throat and
tucked into an elaborately embroidered waistcoat. Creamy breeches and black
leather boots completed his attire. Despite the formality of his clothes, Dr.
Trent appeared as though he’d recently arrived on board a ship from some
distant port. Fresh and windblown and ready for adventure.
Trent was a
gorgeous man, strong and clever, and extraordinarily dangerous to her sense of
wellbeing. Her breath hitched and she forced herself to remain still, appear
calm, even as her heart raced. This feeling of imbalance and rushing emotions
had never happened to her before.
She
turned back to face the remaining guests, and raised her glass.
“My friends,
we gather this evening as in years past to rejoice in the bounty we’ve realized
this year. As our country begins to define our government and create a new
society, consider the wise words from the lauded Anna Bradstreet, some called
the Tenth Muse back in her day, in her wonderful Meditations, Divine and
Moral.”
Trent locked
eyes with her, disconcerting her already roiling thoughts. She took a breath
and smiled at the gathering.
“She
reminded us that, ‘Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an
edge, fitter to bruise than polish.’ Pray keep this thought in mind as the year
draws to a close and we face new challenges. Our governor and other state
leaders will need our support and God’s guidance.”
Glasses
clinked all around her to the accompaniment of “Huzza! Huzza!”
She sipped her
wine, the cheer of the moment echoing inside her heart. Scanning the crowd, she
watched as others mimicked her actions. All but two of her guests anyway. A
chill froze her smile into place.
Book 1:
Emily's Vow
Book 2: Amy's Choice
Betty
Bolté writes both historical and contemporary stories featuring strong, loving
women and brave, compassionate men. No matter whether the stories are set in
the past or the present, she loves to include a touch of the paranormal. In
addition to her romantic fiction, she’s the author of several nonfiction books
and earned a Master’s in English in 2008. She is a member of Romance Writers of
America, the Historical Novel Society, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association,
and the Authors Guild. Get to know her at www.bettybolte.com.
Thanks for sharing!
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