Sabrina's Hero

By Donna Hatch

For weeks, Sabrina daydreams about a mysterious gentleman who frequents the lending library. Is he perchance an agent for the crown? A returning war hero? A highwayman? A fateful public assembly introduces her to the mystery man as well as an intriguing newcomer. Now she is torn between a charming rake promising the adventure she craves, and a handsome barrister who offers security. Only one will stand by her when it matters most.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Hatch
• Release date: Aug 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463483336

Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the award-winning author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series” and more than 25 published titles. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8. She juggles writing, freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and speaking at workshops and conferences. Both natives of Arizona, she and her husband of over thirty years have raised 6 children together and are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 Donna Hatch

E-book edition

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles. This novel is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialog are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

Interior Design by Heather Justesen

Cover design by Lisa Messagee

Published by Mirror Lake Press, LLC

Titles by Donna Hatch

The Rogue Heart series

The Stranger She Married

The Guise of a Gentleman

A Perfect Secret

The Suspect’s Daughter

The Courting Series

Courting the Countess

Courting the Country Miss

Heart Strings

Novellas and Short Stories:

Matchmaking Game

When Ship Bells Ring

Constant Hearts

Emma’s Dilemma

The Reluctant Bride

Troubled Hearts

A Perfect Match (Also part of the Timeless Sumer House Party Collection)

"Unmasking the Duke

Sabrina’s Hero

A Wager of Love (Part of the Timeless Wedding Wagers Collection)

Christmas Stories

A Christmas Reunion

Mistletoe Magic

A Winter’s Knight (Also part of the Timeless Romance Anthology, Winter Collection)

Fantasy

Queen in Exile

Timeless Romance Anthologies:

Autumn Masquerade, Unmasking the Duke

Summer House Party, A Perfect Match

Timeless, Winter Collection, A Winter’s Knight

Wedding Wagers, A Wager of Love

Acknowledgments

One of the greatest joys of being an author is meeting so many incredible people. Not only are they creative, talented, and inspiring, but also some of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. One of those people is author extraordinaire, Janette Rallison, who, when she learned of the serious personal and financial difficulties a fellow author was suffering, she spear-headed a multi-author anthology, With a Kiss, with all proceeds to benefit this author in difficulty. Several authors much more talented than I rallied around the cause, and I was humbled to be invited to join. I immediately began brainstorming my idea into a cohesive plot with the invaluable aid of my dear friend and critique partner, Jennifer Griffith. My thanks to Janette for giving me a reason to write despite my own heartaches, and to Jennifer for helping me discover the real meat of this story’s characters and for pointing out that I needed an Austen-esque villain to complete the heroine’s journey.

Though each of the stories in the With a Kiss Anthology is now available on their own, the authors are still joined by a powerful sisterhood as contributors, and most importantly, friends.

My thanks also to the many Beta readers and proofreaders who are always only too happy to lend their eyes, and for doing this one on such a time crunch. I’d start naming all of you but I always seem to leave out someone. Please know that I am grateful to you for your help and support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Author’s Note:

About the Author

Chapter 1

Manchester, England, May 1819

In the doorway of the lending library, Sabrina Radcliffe paused to inhale the sweet tang of literary tomes. Their vanilla-like scent filled her with excitement as she anticipated reading magical tales of adventure and love inscribed on many a novel’s hallowed pages. Smiling, she let out a contented sigh.

The only thing better than a good novel was a real-life adventure—at least, so Sabrina presumed. Having never had a true adventure, she could only imagine. If she ever got to Italy and Greece, birthplaces of the best epic quests and adventures, she would discover that in truth.

Stepping inside, Sabrina adjusted her reticule where a comfortable handful of coins nestled inside her handkerchief. The money from selling her latest tatted lace brought her one step closer to her dreams of travel and excitement, and to fulfilling her promise to her brother.

Behind Sabrina, her younger sister sucked in a breath. Oh, he is here, Adriana whispered. It’s driving me to distraction not knowing who he is.

Sure enough, their mystery man sat in his usual spot—at a table near the windows facing the door. Sunlight slanted in through the windows and illuminated his dark hair. The handsome gentleman she and her sister had begun calling Lord Mystère remained intensively focused on his reading.

In all her sixteen years, Sabrina had never been so fascinated with a man. With one last wistful glance at him, she linked her arm through Adriana’s and tugged her to the bookshelves to resume her search for new novels to guide her in her own writing. After all, to write a novel that would sell thousands of copies, one must read such novels.

Ah, there it was. Frankenstein. No author’s name appeared in the title page, but rumor had it that it had been penned by a lady. If a lady authored this famed novel, perhaps Sabrina could write one of her own. Sabrina also selected a book her father suggested would aid in her study of the Greek language. At the last minute, she also snatched a Minerva Press novel for pure reading pleasure.

Adriana gravitated to a table displaying the latest fashion magazines. With her books in her arms, Sabrina passed by Lord Mystère as she headed to her favorite table. It sat near enough that she could see the man who had occupied her thoughts for the past fortnight, but not so near that she would be obviously pursuing him.

For the first time ever, he glanced up as she passed. Their gazes locked. Her knees wobbled. A mere arm’s length away, Lord Mystère watched her with a focused stare. A combination of green and brown, his eyes spoke of forbidden danger, a promise of excitement. His enigmatic eyes made him more entrancing.

Sabrina managed to shut her mouth, incline her head politely, and move to a seat. Her cheeks burned, and her hands shook as she fumbled to remove her bonnet and gloves and to smooth her hair. How silly to have gawked at him!

She bit her lip and stared at her books until her cheeks cooled. She turned her focus on her research. After retrieving the list she’d compiled of what must be present in a successful novel, she opened Frankenstein, prepared to glean from the anonymous author what had made her work so successful.

Adriana joined her a moment later, her arms laden with literary treasures and the newest copy of Ackman’s Repository fashion magazine. Younger than Sabrina by little more than a year, and newly out in time for the summer social activities, Adriana had already developed a good eye for tastefully fashionable clothing. A pity their family couldn’t afford to buy her a new wardrobe as befitting her change in status.

Sabrina glanced at Lord Mystère. Without taking his attention off the newspaper, he removed his gloves. Sabrina suppressed a sigh. If only he would look at her again.

Adriana nudged her and whispered, Look! Where do you suppose he got that scar on his hand?

True enough, a smooth, white scar ran along the side of his hand above his thumb. Sabrina’s mind filled with possibilities. Perhaps he was wounded fighting off a hoard of Napoleon’s French ‘frogs’ during the war.

Or he might have been injured while on a spying mission for England. Adriana opened her magazine and pretended to read it.

Sabrina tapped her pencil against her chin and whispered, That might account for the way he pours over the publication. I have heard that spies sometimes send messages in code using innocent-looking articles. Of course, with the war over, England may not have as much need for spies; however, he might be one of a select few who keeps watch to protect king and country in the war’s aftermath. The possibilities were endless and thrilling.

Lord Mystère shifted and frowned. Despite his tailcoat and expertly tied cravat, something about him suggested a dangerous, almost wild side. Perhaps it was his dark curls a tad longer and unrulier than the fashionable Bedford crop. Or that mysterious expression.

A pirate, Adriana mused. He might have been scarred boarding a merchant ship. What if he is posing as a gentleman to watch for news of a ship to pillage and plunder? She removed her bonnet and smoothed her cinnamon-colored hair just a shade lighter than Sabrina’s.

Though Lord Mystère would make a dashing pirate, Sabrina shook her head. If he spent that much time on a ship, he would be more suntanned. I still think it’s more likely he is highwayman who holds up coaches, demanding valuables from wealthy gentlemen and kisses from fair maidens.

She smiled. If she were the swooning type, which she wasn’t, Sabrina could swoon just thinking about such a savagely handsome pirate or highwayman dragging her into his arms and kissing her senseless. Oh my. She fanned herself.

What if he is a spy for another country? Adriana whispered.

Sabrina caught herself chewing on the end of her pencil and nodded pensively. He could be French or Italian. He doesn’t look entirely English—certainly not like all the other English gentlemen we’ve met. Of course, we haven’t met that many outside the Manchester area.

What if Sabrina alone discovered his evil plot? Of course, a man that handsome could not be truly evil, but he might be some kind of rogue. How exciting!

Adriana tilted her head and whispered, What is he reading?

Sabrina deciphered the print from upside down. It appears to be the political column.

Adriana made a face and shook her head, sending her curls bouncing. Politics? How dull.

Sabrina rushed to defend both the handsome gentleman and their father. His interest in politics doesn’t mean he is dull. Dear Papa is one of the best men of my acquaintance.

True, Adriana said.

To add a bit of spice, Sabrina added, Perhaps he is searching for news of his exploits or something that would help him on his case…

Adriana brightened. Of course.

He glanced up and caught them looking at him. A faint smile tugged at his mouth, and he raised one brow. Sabrina blushed and dropped her gaze to her book. Oh, the humiliation! He’d caught her staring twice. She bent her head over her new book.

A moment later, Adriana leaned over and read, Frankenstein? Is that the terrifying novel Lady Hennessy mentioned?

Yes, and they say a lady wrote it—one of Lord Byron’s friends. Perhaps if I can learn her writing secrets, I will know how better to craft my own novel.

Adriana cocked her head to the side. I am still not clear why you want to write—and worse, publish—a book?

Sabrina fingered the edges of the novel on top of her stack. It could help fund my trip to Italy and Greece.

But you are already saving your pin money and selling the tatted lace you make. Why a novel?

"I

Reviews for Sabrina's Hero

[Natalie S · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A stilted, awkward, and predictable rehash of Pride and Prejudice.