Mischief and Mistletoe - Softcover

Beverley, Jo; Putney, Mary Jo; Rice, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1420124862 ISBN 13: 9781420124866

Verlag: Kensington, 2012

Inhaltsangabe

In this sparkling holiday collection, eight acclaimed authors unwrap the most daring of Regency delights . . .

Christmastime in England—a time for passionate secrets, delicious whispers, and wicked-sweet gifts by the fire. From a spirited lady who sets out to save her rakish best friend from an unsuitable engagement, to a bold spy who gets the unexpected chance to win the woman he’s always loved, to a vicar’s daughter who pretends to be a saucy wench, these holiday tales will make you curl up in front of the fire for a memorable season of mischief and mistletoe . . .

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Jo Beverley is widely regarded as one of the most talented romance writers today. She is a four-time winner of Romance Writers of America's cherished RITA Award and one of only a handful of members in the RITA Hall of Fame. She has also recieved the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Born in England, she now lives with her husband and two sons in Victoria, British Columbia, just a ferry ride away from Seattle, WA.
Mary Jo Putney graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in eighteenth-century literature and industrial design. A New York Times bestselling author, she has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Romance Writers of America RITA Awards, four consecutive Golden Leaf awards for Best Historical Romance, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance. She was the keynote speaker at the 2000 National Romance Writers of America Conference. Ms. Putney lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit her Web site at www.maryjoputney.com.
The author of more than twenty romances, Patricia Rice was born in Newburgh, New York, and attended the University of Kentucky. She has two grown children, and lives with her husband of many years in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Mischief and Mistletoe

By Mary Jo Putney Jo Beverley

ZEBRA BOOKS

Copyright © 2012 Kensington Publishing Corp.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4201-2486-6

Contents

About the Word Wenches................................................ixShe Stoops to Wenchdom Mary Jo Putney................................1Miss Brockhurst's Christmas Campaign Jo Beverley.....................45Intrigue and Mistletoe Joanna Bourne.................................89Wench in Wonderland Patricia Rice....................................131On a Wicked Winter's Night Nicola Cornick............................165Weathering the Storm Cara Elliott....................................203The Mistletoe Bride Anne Gracie......................................241A Wilder Wench Susan King............................................287

Chapter One

As the carriage rumbled to a stop in front of their destination, Lucinda Richards craned to look out the window at the manor, but her view was blocked by her companions. "Roscombe Manor looks just like it used to!" Lady Bridges said as she peered outside. "I'm so glad that Major Randall and his wife have renewed the custom of a holiday ball. How long has it been, Geoffrey?"

"It must be over twenty-five years since Randall's parents died and he was sent away to his uncle." Sir Geoffrey Bridges smiled at his daughter and Lucy, who were sitting on the back facing seat. "I met your mother at a Roscombe holiday ball, Chloe."

"I shall look about to see if I can do equally well," his daughter assured him.

Lucy said nothing, but she was bubbling with pleasure that her parents had allowed her to attend with her best friend's family. Her father was vicar of St. Michael's, the parish church, and busy with Advent services. But he and her mother hadn't wanted to deprive Lucy of a treat like the Roscombe ball.

A footman opened the door and lowered the steps so the passengers could descend from the Bridges' coach. Lucille was last out, and she caught her breath at the sight of the manor house. Roscombe was the grandest house in the area and she'd seen it from a distance, but never before had she visited. No one had lived in it for years, so it was good for the whole community that the house had come alive again.

Night fell early in December, but the moon was full, casting silvery light over the house and the park. Every window had a welcoming candle burning, and faint music could be heard inside.

As they climbed the steps, Chloe said, "Shall we see if we can both find husbands tonight? The holiday ball worked for my mother!"

Lucy laughed. "I'll settle for an evening of dancing. Finding a husband is too much to expect. But you might find one. You look amazingly pretty in that green gown."

"I do, don't I?" Chloe agreed with a grin. "We should stay side by side since our coloring complements so well."

"Though you're my dearest friend, I'd rather dance with men than you," Lucy said firmly. But it was true that ever since they were in the schoolroom, people had remarked on the charming contrast of Lucy's angelic blond looks and Chloe's glossy dark hair and green eyes.

The personalities were different, too. Lucy was the quiet vicar's daughter, Chloe the vivacious youngest child of a baronet. She'd make a good match when she traveled to London for her Season in the spring. There would be no London Season for Lucy, but that was all right. She had a wonderful family and friends, and she felt quite grand enough in the white gown Chloe had lent her.

They entered Roscombe and were greeted with warmth, light, music, and delicious scents. The tang of winter greens twined with the fragrances of mincemeat pies and spiced cider. The scents of the holidays.

After their cloaks were taken, their party followed the music and laughter. Adjoining rooms had been opened up to create a surprisingly large ballroom that was already well filled. Chandeliers illuminated the beribboned greenery and the colorful gowns of the ladies, while musicians played a country dance that made Lucy's toes tap.

Lucy sighed happily. How could London be any finer than this? And she'd know most of the guests, so this ball would be even better than fashionable London. She hoped the Randalls would have an annual ball like this every year for the rest of her life.

A receiving line led into the ballroom. It was headed by their hosts, Major Alexander and Lady Julia Randall, with others Lucy couldn't see clearly beyond. As Major Randall greeted the Bridges, Chloe whispered, "My mother said some of Lady Julia's family are here for the ball and the holidays. That very handsome young fellow must be her brother, Lord Stoneleigh. Single and heir to a dukedom!"

Lucy laughed. "Then he won't be interested in me, but you might wish to study him at closer range. Who is that beautiful white-haired woman? She looks like royalty."

"Close. She must be Lady Julia's grandmother, the Duchess of Charente. The two of them look very alike, don't they?"

Lucy nodded absent agreement as she glanced along the receiving line. Her gaze stopped at the young man dressed in scarlet regimentals and she gasped, feeling as if she'd been struck a physical blow. A wave of heat swept through her, followed by chill. On the verge of falling, she frantically whispered, "Chloe!"

Her friend took one look and led her out of the throng of guests to a room on the other side of the foyer, which had been turned into a cloakroom. "Are you ill?" Chloe said anxiously. "Shall I tell my mother? Or see if Dr. Jones is here? My mother said he'd be coming."

Lucy sank onto a cloak-draped chair, fighting for composure. "No. I ... I saw him. In the army uniform."

Chloe's brow furrowed. "The one at the end of the line looking uncomfortable? That was Gregory Kenmore, wasn't it? Heavens, I haven't seen him in years! He's a captain, I see. He just sold out of the army, so I suppose he'll be putting away his regimentals soon. A pity. He looks very fine in that uniform." Her voice lowered. "My mother said he's refusing all invitations. I wonder how the Randalls coaxed him out?"

"I wish I'd known he'd be here so I could prepare myself." Lucy bent and hid her face in her hands as she fought for composure.

Chloe knelt beside her, her expression worried. "Did Captain Kenmore behave badly to you before he left for the army? If he's hurt you ..."

"Oh, no, no, not that at all." Lucy straightened up in the chair, telling herself that she was a young lady of twenty-two, not a child. "You'll laugh at me ... but I fell most horribly in love with Gregory when he took lessons from my father at the vicarage."

"That was years ago!" her friend exclaimed. "Calf love."

Lucy's mouth twisted. "That's why I've never spoken of him. No one would take me seriously. But it felt—feels—very real."

Chloe cocked her head to one side. "Is this why you've never paid attention to any of the young men hanging about you? Because you were wearing the willow for Gregory Kenmore?"

Lucy nodded. "Everyone has assumed that I want to remain single and be a support to my parents in their old age, but the real reason is that I can't fall in love with anyone else when Gregory fills my heart."

Chloe looked like she thought Lucy was an idiot, but she was too good a friend to say so. "Captain Kenmore has been in the army for five years or so, hasn't he? Have you seen him in that time?"

Lucy shook her head. "He was home on leave once, but I was staying with my sister when she had her first baby. By the time I came home, he'd returned to Spain." She had wept when she learned that she'd...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Kensington
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2012
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1420124862
• ISBN 13: 9781420124866
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 336
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: gpsr@libri.de; gpsr@libri.de; ; Friedensallee 273; Hamburg; 22763; Deutschland