Married By Christmas. Anne Herries

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      “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

      MILLS & BOON

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      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

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      The Sheikh #157

      Rosalyn and the Scoundrel #166

      A Matter of Honor #173

      *A Perfect Knight #180

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      †A Wealthy Widow #235

      †A Worthy Gentleman #243

      ‡Her Dark and Dangerous Lord #249

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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