Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,206

me if I become boring or tedious or stultifying?"

"I will not hesitate." At her mock glare, he added, "I will of course do so gently, and with humor, because I would rightly fear for my life otherwise."

"I cannot believe you consider me so fearsome. But I may see how to put this knowledge to good use in future." Lorelei snuggled into his embrace, her heart filled to overflowing. "I had always thought this was impossible. It is still hard to believe."

"It is. But then Fate put us together, despite Martin's well-meaning attempts. Clearly this is the proverbial match made in heaven. How can we go against what the angels have decreed?"

"That is quite the fanciful speech, Desmond."

"And every word is the truth."

She kissed him. "I propose you deliver it each year, to commemorate the fanciful way in which we met. And to celebrate another year of happiness."

"I agree. And we shall give Martin credit. Oh, and there must be mistletoe, of course."

"Of course. I hope you have some now."

He pulled out a bunch, laden with white berries. "This should prove to be a good start."

She grinned, tugging on his hand, leading him towards the nearby settee. "Indeed. A very good start."

Epilogue

One year later

Lorelei tucked a sprig of mistletoe into the bandeau holding her curls in place. She had festooned the house with the greenery, but chose to leave ivy out of the decorations. She had become quite fond of overindulgence, thanks to Desmond. He had insisted no amount of the flora could possibly keep him from pleasing his bride over and over.

She turned as she heard him entering the room. Her heart did the same excited jig it always did when she saw him. How had she ever believed it would be different?

He approached her slowly, his eyes filled with appreciation. "Our guests are due to arrive shortly, yet you are inspiring the most devilish thoughts."

She gave his lips a light kiss. "I could drape myself with strands of ivy."

"It would only inspire me more." He wrapped his arms around her. "Reminding me of the first time you decorated my home. Now it is our home."

"A home which will soon be filled with children—"

"I am looking forward to Caroline and Henry coming round."

Lorelei took his hand and placed it against her stomach, pressing lightly against the small bump hidden by her dress. His eyebrows shot up as he realized what she meant.

"See what our overindulgence has wrought?" she teased.

He kissed her lovingly. "I have always been convinced it was a wondrous quality. Now you have proved it true." He sighed before pulling her even closer. "I love you, Lorelei the temptress. Every day I tell myself my life is absolutely perfect, and I marvel at how I can be so fortunate."

"I love you, Desmond, more than I ever dreamed possible."

He glanced at the mistletoe in her hair, counting how many berries it contained. "I wonder how many of those will be remaining when everyone else arrives."

"I would guess not many. But I have tucked several sprigs about the house, in case we should need to replenish them."

Desmond grinned. "I shall know where to meet you then."

"And I will always be waiting for you there."

The End

About Donna Cummings

I have worked as an attorney, winery tasting room manager, and retail business owner, but nothing beats the thrill of writing humorously-ever-after romances. I reside in New England, although I fantasize about spending the rest of my days in a tropical locale, wearing flip flops year-round, or in Regency London, scandalizing the ton.

You can find details of her work at

www.AllAboutTheWriting.com

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WHILE YOU WERE ROGUISH

~ An Everly Manor Happily Ever After ~

by

SAMANTHA GRACE

She’s making a list…

When Lady Hadley answers the call to help prepare her cousin’s newly inherited house for Christmas, there is much to do. Hire staff, dust every corner, hang garland… Handling a half-naked man found rummaging in the kitchen is not on her list. When Bess realizes he’s foxed and learns he has a reputation for being wild, she decides to teach him a lesson. Instead, he reignites a fiery passion in her that almost led to her ruin years ago—and threatens to consume her now.

He’s in the naughty column…

Lord Julius Everly is in danger of freezing when his horse dumps him in a creek during a brutal winter storm. Fortunately, his lady neighbors are the hospitable sort. Not only is he given shelter and a warm bed to pass the night, it appears he and the lovely widow making calf-eyes