Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,381

the house as an excuse to kiss Blade without her father and brothers causing a stir.

Life was perfect. She had her family here, Diane, Thomas and Trello. Her father slept in the large chair by the fire, his snores reverberating around the warm drawing room. Ariane and Kingsley were also here, and last, but most definitely not least, was Blade. He stood leaning against the doorway. From the look on his face, it appeared he was up to something. He’d disappeared for several minutes.

“The meal was magnificent, I could sleep for a year,” Thomas uttered.

“Well, you shouldn’t have eaten half of the food, I was worried there would be none left for anyone else,” Harriet teased.

Blade spoke up. “I’m sleepy too. Maybe we should leave opening the gifts.”

Both Ariane and Diane cried out, “No.”

Blade laughed. “All right. I’ll go first.” He leaned out the door and whispered something. A servant entered carrying a large basket with a cloth over it. The servant placed the basket at Harriet’s feet. She could see something wiggling and heard a little whimper. She lifted the cloth and a little black furry face, so cute she instantly fell in love, looked up at her and gave a high-pitched bark. She reached in and pulled the puppy into her arms, and it immediately started licking her face. “She’s gorgeous.”

Blade came and crouched at her feet, love shining from within his eyes. “Yes, she is. She is of good breeding. She won’t grow too tall and she won’t be too short. If you train her well, she will be obedient. You can see from her eye’s that’s she’s intelligent and her breed are renowned for their even temperament.”

Harriet blushed and burst out laughing. “Your list. Your list was attributes for selecting this puppy.”

“As if I’d ever expect my little mermaid to be obedient.” Blade’s seductive smile saw her body explode with heat. “I know you love Sir Lancelot, but I cannot have cats near me. When you become my Duchess, he will have to stay behind. I’m hoping that little Marley will make your move to my home a little less strange.”

“Oh, that’s so thoughtful,” Diane said.

“I love Marley. Thank you. Sir Lancelot will be here when we come to visit.” It suddenly struck her she would be leaving. She looked at Diane and her sister had tears in her eyes as she too realized life would be different. Different, but still glorious.

“I’ll look after Sir Lancelot for you. I will miss you, but I’m so pleased you are so happy.”

“Thank you.” Blade took the space next to her and Marley on the settee. The little puppy crawled all over them while everyone opened the rest of their gifts.

He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I promise you, I’ll never need to write a list to remember why I love you.”

“As long as you remind me of your love every day, I shall be more than content.”

“I have an extra gift for you. Later tonight, I’ll show you how much I love you until you scream my name over and over.”

Harriet hid her flushed face by bending to kiss little Marley. Happiness sang a love song in her veins. She thought her heart would burst with all the love it held safe for Blade and her family and friends.

What a very merry Christmas this had turned into, because she’d given and received the greatest gift of all—love.

The End

About Bronwen Evans

USA Today Bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes.

Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2012, and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011.

Her first self-published novella, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield, was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 2012 and a finalist in the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2013.

Her first contemporary released December 2012, The Reluctant Wife, won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Short Contemporary 2013. She has won the RomCom readers crown three times.

You can find details of her work at

www.BronwenEvans.com

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Dear Reader…

Thank you so much for reading Mistletoe and Mayhem. We truly hope you enjoyed our stories and that we kept you entertained for a good long while. If you loved this anthology, we’d appreciate it if you would share your opinion with friends by way of review or recommendation wherever you can.

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