“I am sure I have done nothing wrong!”
Her cheeks were hot. She knew very well what people might say of her, and for a moment she was conscious of a deep regret, because clearly Hal thought she was ruined.
“My dear girl, you must be an idiot if you truly believe that,” Hal said. “And I know you are not, which means you have been reckless and foolish with no thought for your reputation—or mine.”
She knew herself in the wrong, but pride kept her from confessing it. “I do not mind if some think ill of me, for Mama and my sisters will not. I have no desire to mix in high society. Nor do I wish to marry….”
“That is beside the point.” He gave a sigh of exasperation.
“If anyone thinks ill of me they may do so,” Jo said hot-temperedly. “I am sure I do not give a fig!” It was not true, because she saw now exactly what she had lost. Any faint chance that Hal might have married her had gone, and the regret was sharp.
Married by Christmas
Harlequin®Historical
Author Note
Jo Horne considers that she is not as beautiful as her sister Marianne, who married a marquis, or her darling Lucy, who has her head full of dreams. She does not believe in love, and thinks that she will stay home with Mama and Aunt Bertha and write her stories, but first of all she must accompany Aunt Wainwright to Bath. Jo does not like her mama’s sister, but she has no choice, for a promise was given. She is not looking for love, but when she meets the handsome Hal Beverley her “wicked earl” suddenly begins to behave like a hero—and then Jo is swept away into an adventure that may ruin her.
I hope that you will enjoy Jo’s story. Look for Lucy’s in Marrying Captain Jack, coming soon.
Married by Christmas
Anne Herries
ANNE HERRIES
Award-winning author Anne Herries lives in Cambridgeshire, England. She is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her books—although they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment, and to give pleasure to her readers. She invites readers to contact her on her Web site, www.lindasole.co.uk.
Available from Harlequin®Historical and Anne Herries
The Abducted Bride #135
Captive of the Harem #145
The Sheikh #157
Rosalyn and the Scoundrel #166
A Matter of Honor #173
*A Perfect Knight #180
*A Knight of Honor #184
*Her Knight Protector #188
**Lady in Waiting #202
**The Adventurer’s Wife #208
‡Forbidden Lady #209
†An Improper Companion #227
‡The Lord’s Forced Bride #231
†A Wealthy Widow #235
†A Worthy Gentleman #243
‡Her Dark and Dangerous Lord #249
††Marianne and the Marquis #258
††Married by Christmas #261
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Afterword
Chapter One
‘Damn you, Harry,’ Lord Beverley said and glared at his son. ‘I should have thought that you would want to do your duty by the estate now that your brother is dead…’ Pain showed briefly in the father’s eyes, for the death of his elder son coming on top of their estrangement was hard to bear. ‘You have hardly been in this house since you left the army, sir. I demand that you spend more time here learning about the way the estate is run. It will come hard to you when I am gone and it is all on your shoulders.’
Hal bit back the angry words that rose to his lips. A part of him wanted to tell his father exactly why he had no time to waste languishing at the estate, but he knew that his mission would not find favour in Lord Beverley’s eyes. If he knew that Hal was searching for Matt’s wife he would quite probably forbid him to go on—and it was impossible to tell him about his suspicions that Matt’s death had not been an accident. As yet he had no proof, just a feeling that there had to be some other reason for an excellent horseman like Matt to die in a fall from his horse…that and some small inconsistencies in the stories that had been told him when he first learned of his brother’s death. It had left a shadow hanging over him in all he did, though none would have guessed it, for outwardly he was the smiling carefree young man he had always been.
Lord Beverley’s health was not all it should be and Hal was too dutiful—indeed, too fond—a son to cause his father unnecessary suffering,