Miss Sally's Unsuitable Soldier Maggie Dallen (ebook reader online .txt) 📖

nearly a year since Sally and her sisters had told the earl the truth, bringing him and Sebastian’s brother into their confidence as this family continued to grow and their circle of trust along with it.

They heard Hattie’s voice in the hallway as she laughed over something Caleb said.

The sound made Sally smile, and the sight warmed Sebastian all the way through. Truth was, he was anxious on Sally’s behalf. This past year had seen an array of changes for the Jones girls, and he hoped for her sake—for their sake—that today’s meeting would mark a turning point. He hoped for everyone’s sake that this conversation would help the sisters and their father to heal and to move forward, knowing that despite mistakes and betrayals and, yes, even piracy—all that was done was done in the name of love.

Did the ends justify the means? That was a debate Sally and her sisters had been having for a year now, even with Minerva in her letters, and they still hadn’t settled on an answer.

But they had decided unanimously—after several more run-ins and surprises and unexpected gifts—that while they might not be able to forgive their mother for her crimes, they did want the chance to know this woman who showed her love in such…unusual ways.

“It’s a good thing this girl has a dowry fit for a queen,” Caleb grumbled as he walked in with Hattie. “She’ll never make a match if she’s always hiding in a library.”

Sally and Hattie laughed at his teasing, but Sebastian thought that perhaps he did have a point. Hattie was still extraordinarily shy around anyone who was not family, which could make courting difficult.

But as their mother had left a veritable fortune with Minerva in the form of a treasure chest, Hattie had a fortune in her own right and was in no rush to marry. Minerva and the other girls had divvied up the coins, giving each of the sisters enough money to be set for life, while still leaving a good deal stashed away.

Minerva had hidden the treasure in a cave along the coast where she now lived. Fate and fortune for future generations, she’d said.

Even their father and the earl had approved, grudgingly, of the gift their mother had given. After all, they had no way of returning the stolen goods, since they knew not where it had come from, and reporting it would only lead to unwanted questions and attention.

So Hattie, like all her sisters, was well cared for in their mother’s very strange way.

The sound of the front door being opened had Sally tensing and she shared a look with each of her sisters before they all turned to face the door.

“Hello, girls.” Their mother was striking—just like Sally, Sebastian thought. It was the way she held herself as she stood there, awaiting permission, it seemed.

Their father had sprung to his feet and his eyes were bright with emotion as he took in the sight of her. The sisters had all seen her at some point or another of the past year, but this was the older man’s first time beholding his wife in nearly a decade, and Sebastian knew he wasn’t the only one who turned away to give them a moment to regard one another.

Something seemed to pass between them, unspoken in the silence that filled the drawing room.

The captain cleared his throat and Sebastian tightened his grip on his wife, who needed his strength, for once, rather than the other way around. “Come in, come in,” the captain finally said in a voice hoarse with emotion. “Our girls have much to discuss with you, so you might as well get comfortable.”

Our girls. Sebastian looked around to see Sally, Abigail, Rebecca, and Hattie exchanging a teary-eyed look even as they smiled.

Sebastian’s father stepped forward, clapping his hands and taking the lead. “Yes, yes, have a seat. I’ll have the tea brought in.”

Sally smiled up at him. “I can hardly believe we’re all here in one room.” She patted the letter, which Sebastian knew was filled with Minerva’s sentiments and questions. “Even if some are only here in spirit.”

“Come, my love.” Sebastian led the way as the captain and Sally’s sisters found places to sit, with their mother in the center. “Let us talk.”

She nodded. “Talking is a good start.”

He leaned over to kiss her temple once more. His strong, striking wife. She knew as well as he that this moment was a start. And hopefully for everyone in this room…it was only the beginning.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed it, reviews are greatly appreciated.

Be sure to check out Maggie Dallen’s next co-written series, A Maypole in Mayfair, in which four wallflowers find their wishes coming true in the most unexpected ways…

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About the Author

MAGGIE DALLEN IS a big city girl living in Montana. She writes romantic comedies in a range of genres including young adult, historical, contemporary, and fantasy. An unapologetic addict of all things romance, she loves to connect with fellow avid readers. Subscribe to her historical newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dgUNif or her contemporary newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bFEVsL

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Miss Sally's Unsuitable Soldier

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A Rake's Redemption

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