The Present

by Johanna Lindsey

  “But this Yank did,” Georgina replied, giving James a jab in the ribs to show how much she appreciated his disparaging remarks about her country.

  He grunted, but it was to Anthony that he replied, “Do be a good chap and remind me to repeat it later, when he is within hearing.”

  “You may depend upon it,” Anthony replied.

  They were, after all, united when it came to their nephews-by-marriage, against them, that is, despite their merciless barbs reserved for each other when the “enemy” was not around.

  Reggie came by, passing out a few presents, one of which she dropped in James’s lap. It was from Warren.

  “See if that doesn’t change your mind about keeping today, of all days, friendly,” she said.

  He raised a brow at her, but opening the package, he chuckled. “Hardly, puss,” he said, examining a small bronze caricature of an obvious English monarch looking decidedly silly. “Couldn’t ask for a nicer gift, though.”

  Since it was a gift meant to provoke, James would be delighted with it. Warren was his preferred and most challenging barb-slinging choice, after all, with Reggie’s husband coming in a close second.

  “Famous,” Reggie said, rolling her eyes. “Though I should be relieved. At least my Nicholas will be spared, now that you have your target for the day.”

  “Don’t count on it, m’dear.” James grinned wickedly. “Wouldn’t want him to feel neglected just because it’s Christmas.”

  Molly appeared in the doorway just then. Jason hadn’t spoken to her since she had started reading the journal. She had finished it late last night, long after he’d gone to bed. He came to her now with a hopeful look, and she knew exactly why he wore it.

  But reaching her, he glanced up at the doorframe they stood under. She followed his gaze to see the mistletoe hung there as it was every year. Before it even occurred to her that he might do something outlandish like kiss her with his entire family in the room and possibly watching, he kissed her, and quite thoroughly, too.

  A few breathless moments later, he said, “Do I need to ask my question—again?”

  She smiled, knowing exactly which question he meant. “No, you don’t,” she whispered, so they wouldn’t be overheard. “And my answer is yes, though with one condition.”

  “Which is?”

  “I’ll marry you, Jason, if you’ll agree that we won’t tell anyone about it, aside from your family, of course.”

  “Molly—” he began with a sigh.

  “No, hear me out. I know that’s not what you were hoping I’d say, after reading about your grandparents. But things were different for them. She was a stranger to the area. The people here and in Havers didn’t know her most of their lives. It was easy for them to ignore inquiries, or put them off, so that no one ever did really know the truth. But you can’t deny that they didn’t own up to the truth, that only a select few ever knew—and besides, her father was a Russian noble, even if her mother wasn’t.”

  He rolled his eyes. “And your point?”

  “You know I can’t say the same, Jason. And I still won’t bring more scandal on your family, when it’s already borne so many scandals in the past. If you can’t agree to keep a marriage between us secret, then we’ll just have to go on as we have been.”

  “Then I suppose I’ll have to agree to those terms, of course.”

  She gave him a suspicious look, considering she had been anticipating much more of an argument from him. “You wouldn’t agree now, only to change your mind after we’re married, would you?”

  He feigned a hurt look before asking her, “You don’t trust me?”

  She scowled. “I know you, Jason Malory. You’ll do or say just about anything to get your way.”

  He grinned. “Then you should know that I’d never do anything to get you seriously annoyed with me.”

  “No, not unless you thought you could talk me around it. Need I remind you that I’d consider this a serious breach of promise?”

  “Need I remind you just how happy you’ve made me, agreeing to be my wife—finally?”

  “You’re changing the subject, Jason.”

  “You noticed?”

  She sighed. “As long as we understand each other.”

  “Oh, we do, sweetheart.” His smile was so very tender. “We always have.”

  Behind them, they heard a cough, which reminded them both that they weren’t alone. They turned as one to face the room, and found every member of his family staring at them. Molly started blushing. Jason was grinning from ear to ear, and he didn’t waste time explaining why.

  “Allow me to announce,” he said, taking Molly’s hand in his, “Molly has given me the greatest Christmas gift I could have asked for in agreeing to be my wife.” Which, of course, started everyone talking at once.

  “About bloody time,” James commented first.

  “You can say that again,” Derek said, and with a whoop of delight, came forward to hug his parents.

  “It’s too bad this wasn’t settled sooner,” Reggie remarked, smiling. “We could have had a Christmas wedding today.”

  “Who says we can’t?” James replied. “I happen to know the elder has had a special license ready and waiting for quite a few years now. And if I know my brother, he isn’t going to give Molly a chance to change her mind.”

  “Goodness! So this didn’t just develop?”

  Nicholas chuckled at his wife. “Take a good look at Derek and Molly, standing there together, sweetheart. That ought to give you your answer.”

  Reggie did, then said, “Oh, my. I think Uncle James said it aptly.”

  And Amy giggled. “He did, didn’t he? Of course, I’ve known for the longest time, having caught them kissing once. I just didn’t know it would one day lead to this.”

  “And to think I had no hand in matchmaking them,” Reggie sighed.

  James chuckled at his niece. “How could you, when they were in love before you were even born?”

  “I realize that, but you said it yourself, Uncle James. They’ve been a bit tardy in getting around to marrying, and I consider it my department to push these sorts of things along.”

  Anthony laughed at that. “Don’t think you could’ve helped this time, puss. Actually, come to think of it, I’d say it took The Present to do it.”

  And James said dryly, “You only just figure that out, dear boy?”

  Anthony’s brow rose, but before he came back with a rejoinder, Charlotte was heard from. “A Christmas wedding, how utterly wonderful. I think I’m going to cry.”

  “You always cry at weddings, m’dear,” Edward said, patting her hand.

  That being the first remark from Edward, and hardly what Jason was expecting from his closest brother, particularly since he’d been the one most vocal against his divorce, Jason asked, “No comment about an impending scandal, Edward?”

  Edward looked a bit embarrassed as he admitted, “We’ve muddled through all the other scandals this family has created. I imagine we’ll muddle through this one just fine.” And then he grinned. “Besides, now that you’re finally marrying for the right reasons, I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  “There doesn’t have to be a scandal,” Reggie said. “Or have you all forgotten The Present so soon? I don’t see why we can’t take a leaf from those old friends of Sir William Thompson’s. Gossip is an amazing thing, after all. If so many conflicting things are heard about the latest major on-dit, then no one can really point to the truth and hold it up as fact. No one knows for sure what is the truth, thus what will be believed is what one chooses to believe.”

  But Molly was shaking her head. “My case isn’t the same as your great-grandmother’s. People around here knew my father.”

  “Yes, but did they know his father, or his father before him? For all you know, Molly, you could have a lord or two up your ancestral tree. It’s a rare family that doesn’t have a few ancestors conceived on the wrong side of the blanket in one century or another.”


  Derek chuckled at that point and told his mother, “You know once Reggie latches on to an idea, she rarely lets go of it. Might as well let her have her fun with the gossips. After her success in Kelsey’s case, she will anyway.”

  Molly sighed, having had her one stipulation to the wedding, that no one else should know about it, taken out of her hands. Jason, understanding, pulled her closer to his side to say for her ears only, “Remember what my grandfather Christopher had to say on the subject?”

  She glanced up at him in surprise, but then she smiled. “Yes, point taken.”

  “Good. And I hope you’ve noticed, not one objection from my family.”

  That reminder got him a poke in the ribs. “Rubbing it in is not allowed. And besides, they aren’t objecting because they all love you and want you to be happy.”

  “No, it’s because you’ve always been part of this family, Molly. We’re just going to make it official now—and about bloody time.”

  Enter the World of Johanna Lindsey

  Welcome to the world of Johanna Lindsey, and enter into a fantasy of your choosing. Immerse yourself deep into times when men were warriors, tamed only by very special women, and romance reigned supreme. Whether it is against the backdrop of glamorous Regency England society, the pageantry of a medieval court, the wild wilderness of the American West, or any other you can imagine, Johanna Lindsey knows how to make a love story come alive. Enjoy!

  Captive Bride

  Johanna Lindsey touched deep into the soul of her readers with her first romance. The world knew a new star was born with this tale of an arrogant Arab prince cut down to size by a strong-minded English miss.

  Philip Caxton saw Christina as soon as she entered the room. She turned away with contempt when she saw him. Well, he didn’t expect an easy conquest. She had seemed to hate him last night.

  He sighed, cursing the lack of time. But perhaps Christina Wakefield was just playing hard to get. After all, young women came to London to look for husbands. And he wasn’t such a bad catch. But still, with only one day’s acquaintance, the odds were against him. Damn, why hadn’t he met her sooner?

  Anne Shadwell drew Christina toward Philip. “Miss Wakefield, I would like to introduce—”

  She was cut off abruptly.

  “We’ve met,” Christina said contemptuously.

  Anne Shadwell looked startled, but Philip made an arrogantly graceful bow, took Christina’s arm firmly, and walked her out onto the balcony. She resisted, but he was sure she wouldn’t cause a scene.

  When they reached the railing, she whirled to face him defiantly.

  “Really, Mr. Caxton! I thought I made myself quite clear last night, but since you don’t seem to understand, let me enlighten you. I don’t like you. You are a rude, conceited man, and I find you quite intolerable. Now if you will excuse me, I am going back to join my brother.” She turned to leave, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him.

  “Christina, wait,” he demanded huskily, forcing her to look into his dark eyes.

  “I really don’t think we have anything to say to each other, Mr. Caxton. And please refrain from using my first name.” She turned to leave again, but Philip still grasped her hand in his. She faced him once more, stamping her foot in fury.

  “Let go of my hand!” she demanded.

  “Not until you’ve heard what I have to say, Tina,” he answered, pulling her closer to him.

  “Tina!” She glared at him. “How dare—”

  “I dare anything I damn well please. Now shut up and listen to me.” He was amused at the disbelief written on her lovely face. “Tina, I want you. I would be honored if you would consent to be my wife. I would give you anything you want—jewels, beautiful gowns, my estates.”

  She was looking at him in a most unusual way. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out. And then he felt the sting of her hand across his cheek.

  “I have never been so insulated in my—”

  But Philip didn’t let her finish. He gathered her in his arms and silenced her words with a deep, penetrating kiss. He held her tightly against him, feeling her breasts pressed against his chest, crushing the breath from her body. She was struggling to free herself, but her efforts only increased his desire.

  Then, unexpectedly, Christina went limp in his arms and threw him off guard. Philip thought she had fainted but winced when he felt a sharp pain in his shin. He released her instantly to grab his leg, and when he looked up, Christina was running into the drawing room.

  He should have known better, Philip told himself.

  He should have gone to her home in Halstead and courted her slowly. But that wasn’t his way. Besides, he had never courted a woman before. He was used to getting what he wanted immediately, and he wanted Christina.

  A Gentle Feuding

  Sheena Fergusson is the most prized beauty in Scotland. Every man wants to possess her—except for Jamie MacKinnion, the avowed enemy of her clan. But when the proud laird finally lays eyes on Sheena, his warrior’s heart is conquered by the ethereal magnificence of this woman.

  James MacKinnion moved slowly. An enveloping mist still clung to the dewy ground, and he was sopping wet from crossing the second of the two Esk rivers. He was tired from lack of sleep and the rough ride south. There was something wrong in all this, but he didn’t know what it could be.

  The mist swirled and parted before him in a gentle breeze, revealing for a moment a wooded glen not far ahead. Then the mist settled again, and the vision was gone. Jamie rode for it; the trees were a pleasant change from the barren moors and heather-clad hills.

  He had never been this far east on Fergusson land before. He had never raided Lowlanders in the spring before, either.

  Jamie’s anger warred with his common sense. Dead men demanded he ride to avenge them. A scrap of plaid demanded he ride south. Yet…why? He would have given anything for more evidence. The act bordered on insanity. Was he sure of what he was doing?

  The mist was rising steadily as Jamie entered the wooden glen.

  Then he heard a sound, and in a flash he slid off his horse and ran for cover. But when he listened again, he recognized the sound as a giggle, a feminine giggle.

  Leaving his horse behind, he moved stealthily through the bracken and trees toward the sound.

  When Jamie saw her, he wasn’t quite sure he believed the vision. A young girl was standing waist-deep in a small pool, the mist swirling about her head. She looked like a water sprite, a kelpie, unreal, yet real enough.

  The girl laughed again as she splashed water across her naked breasts. The sound enchanted Jamie. He was mesmerized by the girl, rooted where he was, watching her play. She was frolicking and having a joyous time of it.

  She was like nothing he had ever seen before, a beauty, and no mistake about it. In a moment she faced him, and he saw nearly all of her loveliness. Pearly white skin contrasted starkly with brilliant, deep red hair. Almost magenta, it was so dark and gleaming and long. Two strands waved around her breasts and floated in the water. And those breasts were tantalizing, round, high and proud in youthful glory, the peaks sharply pointed because of the caress of icy water. Her features were unmistakably delicate. The only thing not clear to Jamie was the color of her eyes. He was not quite close enough to see, and the reflection of the water made them appear a blue so clear and bright as to be glowing quite impossibly. Was his imagination running wild? He wanted to move closer and see.

  What he really wanted as to join her in the water. It was an insane idea, born of the strange effect she was having on him. What if she let him come to her, let him touch her as he ached to do? He had to leave before common sense completely fled. As if to point out his folly in tarrying, the first rays of sun broke through the glen, showing him the time he had wasted. His brother and the others would have all returned to the men by the river. They would all be waiting for him.

  Jamie was suddenly sickened. Watching the girl, being transported to wha
t seemed a sphere outside reality, he was appalled by the contrast between the lovely scene before him and the bloody one he would see in just a short while. Yet he could no more stop the one that was soon to happen than he could forget the one he was watching. Both seemed inevitable.

  Jamie’s last look at the girl was a wistful one. Beams of sunlight dotted the pool, and one touched the girl and lit her hair like a burst of flame. With a sigh, he turned away. That last vision of the mystical girl would be etched in his memory for a long time to come.

  Love Only Once

  With Love Only Once, Johanna Lindsey introduced her beloved Malory family. The romances of these outrageous and outspoken sensualists, set in the every-popular Regency era, are pure magic. Nicholas Eden, the rakish fourth Viscount of Montieth, is as enchanted as readers during this first encounter with Regina Ashton. Having just discovered that he has accidentally kidnapped the Malory ingenue, he is now setting her free. But if he is expecting anger from his unintended hostage, he’s in for a surprise.

  She stood framed by the window, gazing at him in a startling direct way. There was no shyness in her look and no fear either on that exquisite, delicate, heart-shaped face. The eyes were disturbing, with an exotic slant. Such dark blue eyes in that fair face, so blue and clear, like colored crystal. The lips were soft and full and the nose was straight and slender. A thick fringe of sooty lashes framed those extraordinary eyes, while black brows arched gently above them. Her hair was raven black, too, in tight little ringlets surrounding her face, giving her fair skin a glow like polished ivory.

  She was breathtaking. The beauty didn’t stop with her face, either. She was petite, yes, but there was nothing childlike about her form. Firm young breasts pressed against the thin muslin of her rose gown. He wanted to pull the rose muslin down a few inches and watch those lovely breasts spring free. He received another jolt then, feeling his manhood rise against his will. Lord, he hadn’t lost control like that since his youth!