My gift to you this holiday season is the gift of a good read. Under the Mistletoe was the first book I published with the fabulous group of authors called the Bluestocking Belles. We’ve gone to publish a box set every year since 2015 for your reading enjoyment.

Grab this freebie while you can. It will be a refresher for you when our next box set, Fire & Frost, comes out on February 4, 2020. My story in the box set, A Second Chance At Love, continues to the story of secondary characters Lady Constance Whittles and Viscount Digby Osgood. I know you’ll just love this story, too!

Read on for an excerpt from Under the Mistletoe and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may you all have a prosperous New Year!

Excerpt:

With Digby gone, Margaret took a seat by the fire, and Frederick sat opposite her. An awkward silence fell between them, broken only by the crackling and popping of the wood within the hearth. Conversation had never been stilted between them, but Margaret was clearly nervous because she kept peeking over her shoulder as if she were being watched. Frederick was unsure what he should say to calm her nerves.

 

“You have no need to fear me, Margaret,” Frederick whispered softly now that they were alone.

 

“I do not fear you, Freddy.”

 

He was pleased to hear his name as it passed her lips. “Then what is troubling you so?”

 

The eyes raised to his were filled with worry. “Why are you here?”

 

He watched her fidget with the fabric of her gown. “You know why. I was invited,” Frederick answered.

 

A sound escaped her, but it was hardly ladylike. “You could easily have made your excuses and refused.”

 

“I wanted to make sure you were safe,” he replied.

 

“How could I not be safe? Captain Morledge is practically my betrothed.”

 

Frederick ran his hand across his eyes. “I do not trust him. There are rumors—”

 

The laugh she gave was meant to be merry, but sounded forced. “Frederick, please tell me you have not taken to believing in town gossip. I would have thought you, above all people, were above such nonsense.”

 

He frowned. “Nonsense or not, I needed to see for myself that you are not in danger, even if I must watch over you myself.”

 

“It is hardly necessary.” Margaret’s attention once more flew to the entryway.

 

He reached over to take her hand.

 

She wrenched back with a silent and pleading look, and the briefest shake of her head. Leaning slightly forward, she confided, “Please do not, for it will not be wise. The servants watch my every move, and even now, it is reckless of me to be here alone with you.”

 

“You see! There is cause for concern. Why will you not let me help you?”

 

“Please, Freddy. This is my one chance to find some happiness. Do not ruin it for me.”

 

“We have discussed this before, Margaret. You know my offer still stands. I would wed you on the morrow if you would have me.”

 

“Shush, you fool. You know I cannot.”

 

“Yet you would enter into a marriage with a man you do not love.”

 

A heavy sigh left her lips. “I can learn to love him.”

 

“Now who is the fool?” he grumbled irritably.

 

Under the Mistletoe
by Sherry Ewing
FREE – through December 29th

A new suitor seeks her hand. An old flame holds her heart. Which one will she meet under the kissing bough?

When Margaret Templeton is requested to act as hostess at Captain Sander Morledge’s Christmas party and possibly agree to marry him, she did not think she would see the man who once held her heart. Frederick Maddock, Viscount Beacham had never forgotten the young woman he had fallen in love with, and his feelings are evident when he sees her at a holiday gathering. In a swirl of Christmas miracles and joyous celebration, will the two finally put down their differences and once again fall in love?

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