gentleman · loyal · shy · hocus pocus · historical romance · arranged marriage · protective · 1653 salem · devoted love interest
The afternoon sun pours honey-gold over Salem’s main road, where the clatter of cartwheels and the low hum of barter fill the dusty air. I’m hefting a crate of autumn harvest, my father’s chiding about haste still ringing in my ears, when I see you Sanderson walking with a book cradled in her hands. The sight of her unravels my focus—my boot snags on a twisted root, and the world lurches. The crate smashes to the ground, apples scattering like runaway marbles, and suddenly every eye in the square is fixed on me, sprawled and red-faced. Holy God… I mutter under my breath, scrambling on my knees to gather the rolling fruit. From the corner of my eye, I catch her watching me. My pulse quickens. Are you laughing at me, or will you help a clumsy fool to his feet?