For Liberty and Love
Petticoats & Patriots Book 1

She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.

Philadelphia, 1776

As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love.

 Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.

Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter. 

But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.

In a war where even allies can become enemies,  Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love?

Courage built a nation. Love made it worth fighting for.

Throughout 250 years of American history, a well-loved locket finds its way into the hands of eight spirited heroines—each standing at the crossroads of love and destiny, and each inspired by a true patriot. As it journeys from one heart to the next, these stories unfold with sweet romance, unwavering hope, and a deep love of country, proving that even in uncertain times, love is always worth the risk. Start reading the Petticoats & Patriots series today!

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uEt4i2

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252145482-for-liberty-and-love

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/for-liberty-and-love-petticoats-patriots-book-1-a-sweet-patriotic-romance-series-across-american-history-by-shanna-hatfield

 

SHORT BLURBS:
She’s determined to uncover his identity.

He’s determined to hide it. 

In a time of war, will the pursuit of liberty strengthen or destroy their love.

 

He believes in duty. She believes in liberty. Together, they learn to believe in love.

 

A patriot spy. A suspected traitor. A love that could set them both free.

 

He hides his secrets beneath a cocked hat and a soldier’s oath. She’s determined to unmask the man behind the easygoing smile. In a world of coded letters and divided loyalties, can they trust their hearts to lead them to love and liberty?

 

She’s hiding secrets in a locket.

He’s hunting traitors.

They’re falling in love on opposite sides of trust.

EXCERPT 1
Lucy rushed into the shop and drew up short at the sight of the man who had stood across the street earlier, leaning against her workbench. Despite being so taken aback by his presence, she couldn’t help but admire his muscular form and his handsome features.

When he removed his cocked hat and nodded politely, her gaze fell on the sun-kissed golden hair of his head, traveled down to expressive brows that raised slightly at her perusal, and hesitated at soulful eyes the color of moss caught in a beam of sunshine. His full lips and defined jawline added to his masculine allure. As he straightened and stepped toward her, she had the fleeting thought that he moved with strength and purpose, as though he was in full control of himself and his surroundings.

“Hello, Miss Carlson,” he said in a soft, deep voice that made Lucy’s knees feel unexpectedly weak.

Or perhaps the weakness came from realizing she’d stupidly left the ledger open and out in plain sight for anyone to read the entries. Not that she nor her father had anything to hide, but she didn’t think the tall man with a commanding bearing had any right to know who purchased merchandise in their store.

“May I help you, sir?” Lucy asked in a crisp tone as she strode behind the workbench, closed the ledger, and slid it onto the shelf where her father kept it.

“I came to retrieve something my…” He hesitated just long enough for Lucy to grow suspicious of his intentions and motives. “… aunt left here. A pair of gloves. Aunt Patsy sent me to retrieve them.”

Lucy could have easily handed over the gloves, which were sitting next to her tools just inches from where she stood, but she didn’t. Surely, he had to know she’d seen him lingering across the street, watching for Patsy.

Did the man mistake her for a complete dunce? Or did he think his attractive features and a voice that rumbled like a summer thunderstorm wrapped in velvet would leave her so captivated that she would bow to his every whim and wish?

Affronted, she stiffened and lifted her chin. “I will give … Patsy the gloves when I next see her. If that is not her preference, then please bring a note from her to indicate otherwise.”

“I assure you, Miss Carlson, I mean no harm. My aunt was quite distressed to realize she’d misplaced her gloves. They were a gift from someone quite dear to her heart, and it would be a tragedy for her to lose them.”

“And I assure you, Mister …” She paused, since the man had failed to introduce himself.

“Barton. Burwell Barton at your service,” he said with a bow, then offered her a boyish grin that caused her stomach to flutter. “But my friends call me Branch.”

“Branch,” she repeated, wondering if the name had anything to do with the series of barely noticeable moles on his left cheek that were shaped like a curved tree branch.

As though he could read her thoughts, his fingers brushed over his cheek. “A mark from birth, I suppose. Now, may I please have my aunt’s gloves?”

Lucy shook her head. “No, you may not. I intend to place them into her hands myself, sir. Now, unless I can interest you in a set of buckles or perhaps a snuff box, then I’ll have to ask that you depart. My family is waiting for me.”

“My apologies, Miss Carlson.” He backed toward the door. “My intent was not to insult or upset anyone.”

“Yes, well, I …” When she looked up into his face and caught him smiling, it was as though all the words she’d planned to say fell back down her throat. Mercy, but he was handsome with those sharp cheekbones and a bottom lip that seemed designed for passionate kisses.

Passionate kisses? Heavens above! What was she thinking? For all she knew, this man could be one of the king’s spies.

 

EXCERPT 2
“What on earth does that mean?” Lucy questioned aloud.

“It’s a code,” Theo said, speaking beside her and startling her so badly that she yelped in surprise and dropped the locket.

Thankfully, it fell onto her lap instead of the floor. She set it on the desk as she glowered at her brother. “Theo! What have I said? Just earlier today, in fact?”

“Not to sneak up on you, but I was sure you heard me come up the stairs. I made so much noise, you should have thought the whole army of Redcoats was storming upon you. Papa sent me to tell you it’s time to get back to work.” Theo pointed to the locket. “What’s that?”

“None of your concern.” Lucy covered the locket with her hand.

Theo retrieved the scrap of paper that had fallen to the floor. “It could be from a spy. I heard Tommy Dinsmore tell Miles Evans that there are spies everywhere. They pass notes back and forth.” He scrunched up his nose in thought as he read the message. “I think the first word means ammunition.”

Lucy stared at the child, shocked to consider he might be right. It would certainly explain why Patsy—more likely known as Martha Washington—had been dashing down the street earlier, pursued by the men, and why the man who claimed his name was Branch Barton had been watching them and tried to intercept the gloves that had hidden the locket. Had Mrs. Washington’s arrival at the shop put them all in jeopardy?

Surely not, or the woman wouldn’t have come inside.

For all Lucy knew, the words scribbled on the paper in the locket could be the writings of a madman, or a list for a servant, or … code words from spies.

Lucy carefully rolled the slip of paper and tucked it into the locket. She closed the back and the front, gave it another quick polish, and slipped it into her pocket.

“You mustn’t say anything about the locket nor the coded message, Theo. Not even to Mama and Papa. Do you promise?” Lucy asked, rising to her feet and holding out a hand to Theo.

“I promise!” Theo took her hand and accompanied her downstairs.

Their mother was in the kitchen kneading bread. From the puffs of air blowing through the room, Lucy assumed her father had returned to the shop and opened the door, allowing a welcome breeze to drift inside and create a cross draft.

Lucy fingered the locket and strode into the shop, intent on keeping Martha Washington’s piece of jewelry a secret, and finding out exactly what the words meant.

If it were something that would help the Patriots, Lucy would do everything she could to be of assistance.

 

EXCERPT 3
“You read the note?” Martha asked in a subdued voice, as though she was sure someone was listening.

“Yes. Truthfully, Theo and I have been trying to decipher it. It’s a code of some sort, isn’t it?”

Martha nodded. “It is. I am unable to divulge details to you, Lucy, until I know more about you. Your father is reputed as a fair man who hasn’t yet taken sides with Loyalists or Patriots, which is why I was so grateful to reach your shop. I knew I’d be safe there.”

Lucy thought of her own disappointment that her father hadn’t been swayed to join those pursuing liberty, but didn’t give voice to her opinions. Her father was a good man. A kind man. A fair man. If straddling the fence between loyalty to the Crown and liberty had meant Martha Washington felt safe coming to his shop, then how could Lucy find any fault?

“Father feels it is important to have places in town where anyone can shop without fear of being castigated for their political beliefs.”

Martha remained silent for a moment and scooted a little closer to Lucy. “What do you believe?”

Lucy knew spilling her heart to the wrong person could end with her in the stockade, a prison, or even dead. But she was desperate to do her part to help the Patriots win the war, regardless of the personal cost.

“I believe it is time for the colonies in America to unite, to cast off the shackles of the king, and do whatever it takes to blaze a new path for our country. We cannot go back, and it seems to me the only way is forward into a future built on equality, where we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Martha smiled at Lucy’s reference to the Declaration of Independence. “You have memorized some of the lines of our great declaration.”

“They are lines worthy of being memorized and remembered often. Thomas Jefferson’s writings are inspiring.” Lucy had heard Mr. Jefferson from Virginia had penned much of the declaration, even though he was one of the younger members of the Continental Congress. “I must admit, Mrs. Washington, to being an admirer of both you and your husband. He is a fine leader, yet he does not have an easy task ahead of him. Those of us who believe in what he and the Continental Army are fighting for must be willing to do what we can to help.”

“Are you willing, Lucy? To help? To step into the unknown without wavering? Once you do, there is no returning to the way things were before. You must be completely dedicated to the cause.”

“Oh, I am, Mrs. Washington!” Lucy spoke quietly, but hoped her voice conveyed her fervent belief in what independence would mean to their colonies. The thought that she was sitting next to Mrs. Washington discussing freedom left her so overwhelmed and full of excitement, she could hardly keep still on the chair. “I do not know how to explain myself, other than to say I yearn to be part of something so much bigger than myself. Something vital to the battle for freedom.”

 

EXCERPT 4
“Well, what did you think of her?” Mrs. Washington asked without preamble, settling primly on the bench.

Branch could have played dumb or offered a teasing comment, but there wasn’t time for tomfoolery. “I think she might be one in whom we can place our trust. She seems earnest and ready to do her part for the valiant cause of liberation.” He grinned. “I think Theo could win the war if your husband decided to let a youngster his age enlist. He is a clever one, isn’t he?”

Martha smiled. “He certainly is. As you heard, I warned Lucy not to involve him if she does step into a vital role in this war, but I don’t know how she will endeavor to keep Theo out of it. Despite his tender age, I think he’ll be a strong ally for her.”

“I agree.”

They discussed his plans for the following day. Mrs. Washington shared the code word she and Lucy had settled upon for the courier to use when meeting her.

“If she passes the tests you put her through tomorrow, I think we can absolutely count on her in the future. She has no idea about what goes on in the shop, though, does she?”

Branch shook his head. “None at all that I can see. In the time I’ve observed Carlson’s business, it appears no one knows. All I’ve heard around town is that Ward Carlson’s shop is a friendly place for anyone to purchase jewelry.”

“Well, I suppose that’s something,” Martha said, then lifted a basket she’d carried with her and handed it to Branch. “I hardly think the food you found on the table will be enough to sustain you, dear boy. Eat up, and get a good night’s rest.”

“Yes, ma’am, and thank you.” He nodded politely to the woman, then watched as she stood and made her way into the house.

Branch jumped over the fence and made his way to a carriage house just down the street. The residents of the fine home had left for the summer. With no one around, it was the perfect place for Branch to hide away. Since he’d been working in Philadelphia, he didn’t stay in the same place too long in case he was being watched. The carriage house was tucked behind the main house and situated on a path that gave him the advantage of hearing footsteps if anyone did try to sneak up on him.

As he sat in the loft of the carriage house, enjoying every bite of the meal Mrs. Washington had packed into the basket, he smiled.

Although ruffling Lucy’s feathers was part of the assignment, he greatly anticipated the task.