More from my Regency Christmas story, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe.
Jenny and the other young people at her aunt’s Christmas house party are out in the woods cutting greenery for decorations. They spy a mistletoe ball high in a tree and begin to play a game of running beneath the mistletoe. The forfeit for being caught ~ a kiss. Jenny wants to outrun Lord Somersby and avoid his kiss. Now that she’s done so, she’d having second thoughts.
Today’s snippet follows immediately after last week’s. It has been altered to adhere to the WWW rules.
“I thought you wanted me to catch you,” the young man said, adjusting his gloves impatiently. Sulking did not become his lordship.
“I thought so as well,” Jenny replied and straightened her pelisse, settling it over her green cashmere gown in an effort to stem the chill air she had begun to feel again.
“Then why did you run away?” He stared frankly into her eyes. “Did I frighten you?”
“No, my lord.” With a shake of her head she began a sedate walk back to the crowd of excited young people still running under the mistletoe, his question troubling her. She hadn’t been frightened, but neither could she pinpoint why she had suddenly decided not to give in to him. She’d stopped with the full intention of accepting his kiss, then she’d seen Alec’s face…
A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon .
Other Books in the Handful of Hearts series:
Blurb:
Is one kiss ever enough?
Jenny Crowley has been duped! At her eighteenth birthday celebration her parents announce that instead of having the London Season she’s dreamed of for years, Jenny has been betrothed from birth to Alexander Isley, son of family friends and heir to a title. A distraught Jenny refuses point-blank to marry Alec, and when her aunt offers to whisk her away to a Christmas house party, complete with many eligible young bachelors, Jenny jumps at the chance to enjoy a variety of entertainments, be courted, and perhaps fall in love.
Alec Isley is between a rock and a hard place. He desires a marriage with Jenny no more than she does, but when his family’s dire financial status is revealed, he follows Jenny to the house party in hopes of convincing her to marry him after all. When he discovers who else is courting her there, Alec is frantic to keep her from making a dreadful mistake. Struggling with new-found feelings for his childhood friend, can Alec convince her of his love in time to save her from being ruined under the mistletoe?
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.






































Oh-oh, someone is confused… I wonder what her gentleman friend will do about it?
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So she doesn’t want Alec–but he still has the power to influence her.
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Anticipation makes it so much better. Why prematurely spoil the fun and excitement of the chase?
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I think she is now confused. Does she like Alec after all? Matters of the heart can be so confusing.
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She’s waiting for the perfect moment methinks
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Someone is a little conflicted – which makes for great romance.
Tweeted.
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Oooo someone’s heart is being torn, methinks. Great snippet!
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I think you’re right, Amy! 🙂 Poor Jenny. She never saw this coming. 🙂
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Hmm, maybe she has more feelings for Alec than she wants to admit. Great snippet! Looking forward to reading this story! 🙂
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Thank you, Jessica! Yes, she’s coming to that disturbing realization very quickly!
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Interesting moment of introspection. Enjoying the story, another excellent excerpt!
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Of course, she’s discovering that she’s more conflicted about Somersby and Alec than she believed. Very different men, as we’re about to find out!
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You are a master at painting your characters, Jenna, capturing every little detail!
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Thank you so much, Teresa! I so appreciate that. 🙂
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My, my! For such an innocent, sheltered young lady, she throws out those little hooks like an expert!
I am looking forward to watching her and Alec, Jenna
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Thank you, Kim! Jenny’s definitely learned how to play the game. Let’s see if that knowledge works for her. 🙂
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Indeed, sometimes there are tricky little nuances that catch you up if you are winging the game! Can’t wait to read more.
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Suspense under the mistletoe. What fun and you’ve kept us on our toes wondering.
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Thank you, Charmaine. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my little Christmas story. 🙂
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Sounds like she has at least a little feeling for Alec. I wonder where this will go?
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I don’t think Jenny knows where this is headed at this moment, Christina. Keep reading! 🙂
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He seems to be taking this surprisingly well … yet her initial readiness to be caught bodes well for him if he’s patient.
BTW, Effing forgot to link to my WeWriWa (watch out, cat, or you’ll be replaced by Twiggles the dog!) but here it is.
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Jenny is very conflicted at the moment. Somersby definitely should keep his hopes up. And yes, cats are totally fickle, Ed. But please don’t replace Effing! He’s such a character. LOL
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Oh boy! Here I was hoping for the kiss… but maybe Alec will give it to her? Great snippet!
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We’ll have to wait and see, Elyzabeth. 🙂 Thank you!
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