Rosehill Abbey, 1816

Lady Josephine Marston leaned closer to Justin Greystone, the Earl of Ravenwood. “I will win this wager,” she said. “By Christmas, our friends will be madly in love.”

Justin Greystone, the Earl of Ravenwood, scoffed. “You fancy yourself a matchmaker, but you would do well not to meddle.”

“It’s Christmas. What could be more romantic? Miss Parker and Mr. Faraday only need a little nudge in the right direction,” Josephine said. Really, Justin was older and more experienced in the world, but when it came to matters of the heart, he was hopelessly inept.

“Josie, you have always tried to influence others, but this is none of your affair.”

“You must trust me.” She unfurled her fan and surreptitiously surveyed the room. Miss Parker sat near the pianoforte while Mr. Faraday was practically miles away at the fireplace. “We must bring them together. I’ll ask Miss Parker to play while you encourage Mr. Faraday to turn the pages.”

“And help you win our wager?” Justin said. “I think not. You, my dear, will submit to my kiss on Christmas day.”

“You’re awfully sure of yourself,” Josie said. A very secret part of her wondered what it would be like to kiss Justin. Their families had been close for ages, but it wasn’t until recently that Josie had begun to feel differently about Justin. There were times when she yearned to be closer to him, and on occasion, she caught him looking at her in a most peculiar fashion, as if he were spellbound. But then he would say something ridiculous, and all the fluttery feelings in Josie’s bosom would dissipate. But she didn’t want him to kiss her because of the wager. If they were to kiss at all, she wanted it to be because he was overcome with tender feeling. Josie almost snorted, a most unladylike thing to do.

To keep herself in check, she looked about the room once again and realized what was missing. “We have no mistletoe,” she said. “How can it be Christmas without mistletoe?”

Justin gave her a mischievous look. “Shall we make an expedition to find mistletoe?”

Josie’s father, the Duke of Dartborough chuckled. “That’s a splendid idea. Miss Parker and Mr. Faraday, do lend a hand.”

“Miss Parker and I must don our wraps first,” Josie said. Then she winked at Justin. “I will win this wager,” she said under her breath, “and when I do, you must kiss my feet on Christmas Day.”


Justin wished there was enough snow so that he could throw a snowball at Josie. Faraday was a good sport about having to squire Miss Parker about, but the man had to know that he was being pressured.

“You’re not even looking for mistletoe,” Josie said. “Where is your Christmas spirit?”

“I am looking for mistletoe, but I’ve not seen any.” He looked at Josie’s rosy cheeks and impish smile and his chest tightened. He’d suggested the ridiculous wager, because he’d not been able to think of any other way to steal a kiss without losing face. But now he wished he’d never suggested it in the first place. Blast it all. Why had he developed these feelings for Josie of all women? But he had, and now he couldn’t get rid of them.

Josie pulled on his arm and urged him behind a tree. “Look. Mr. Faraday is pointing at the tree. He found mistletoe. Do you suppose they will kiss?”

Justin drew nearer to her and trapped her with his hands against the tree. Her breath and his frosted in the cold air, but he very much wanted to kiss her. As he angled his head, her eyes started to drift closed.

Then Faraday’s voice rang out triumphantly. “We found mistletoe!”

Justin silently cursed the interruption and stepped back. “Our mission is complete.”

“Yes, it is,” Josie said.

Was that disappointment he heard in her voice?”


It was well after midnight, but Josie knew she wasn’t the only creature stirring as she padded toward the drawing room where the mistletoe hung. As she neared the open doors, she saw that a man stood before the dying coals. “Justin?” she whispered.

He whirled round. “Josie, what are you doing here in your nightclothes?”

“I heard a noise.” She wasn’t about to move out from underneath the mistletoe and miss this opportunity.

He strode toward her. “You should go to bed. It wouldn’t do at all for someone to find us here alone.”

She moistened her lips. “Justin, look up.”

“I don’t have to.” Then he took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. “Josie, I won the wager.”

She cupped his cheek and smiled. “No, Justin. You won me, long ago.”

“Merry Christmas, my love,” he said.