Shut Away from Desire — Gabriella Mahoney

Book 2 of the Ruined Series.

Constance Grady is a woman tainted by association. Not even her daily moral regiment can erase the sin of an older sister who tried to elope. Too introverted to attempt navigating the marriage market, Constance's only hope is to join a convent.

But these carefully laid out plans become overturned when Constance accidentally stumbles into a back-ally deal going sour. She is taken as a hostage and her only hope of escape now lies in the hands of a handsome criminal...

This short historical romance novelette is approximately 12,200 words.