Anna Bradley - Yuletide Happily Ever After II: An Original Regency Romance Collection

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Yuletide Happily Ever After II

An Original Regency Romance Collection

Anna Bradley

Jenna Jaxon

Angelina Jameson

Tabetha Waite

Nadine Millard

Annabelle Anders

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this stripped book.

Yuletide Happily Ever After II

Copyright 2019 Anna Bradley, Jenna Jaxon, Angelina Jameson, Tabetha Waite, Nadine Millard, Annabelle Anders

All rights reserved.

Cover art by: Jena Brignola

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Then in a Twinkling

A Regency Christmas Caper

Anna Bradley

THEN IN A TWINKLING: A REGENCY CHRISTMAS CAPER

How far would you go for love?

London, 1812.

An escapade, a caper, an outrageous Christmas courtshipOliver Angel will do whatever it takes to win the heart of his chosen lady. The first time he met Dinah Bishop she turned her pistol on him, but instead of his head, Dinahs ball struck the tenderest part of his heart. Oliver is determined to make Dinah his own, but theres one small problem

Dinah Bishop doesnt believe in love. Her Christmases havent been filled with sugar plums and kissing balls, and she doesnt care for Christmas capers. But as she and Oliver embark on a wild carriage ride from London to Essex, Dinah can no longer deny her hearts whisper. Shes in love with Oliver Angel, but can she trust herself with his precious heart?

A semi-reformed rake, a lady whos wary of love, two mischievous horses and a skittish servant who believes in ghostshow could such a courtship possibly go wrong? Will this mismatched pair lose their chance at love, or will they spend Christmas in each others arms?

Thank you for reading THEN IN A TWINKLING: A REGENCY CHRISTMAS CAPER!

This is Book Two in the Tainted Angels series.

Book One, BOUGHS OF FOLLY, is currently available as a free read for Annas newsletter subscribers. To subscribe, go to Annas website at www.annabradley.net.

Other Titles by Anna Bradley

The Sutherland Scandals

A Wicked Way to Win an Earl

A Season of Ruin

The Sutherland Sisters

Lady Eleanors Seventh Suitor

Lady Charlottes First Love

Twelfth Night with the Earl

The Somerset Sisters

More or Less a Marchioness

More or Less a Countess

More or Less a Temptress

Besotted Scots

The Wayward Bride

To Wed a Wild Scot

Tainted Angels

Boughs of Folly.

Then in a Twinkling

Copyright 2019 Anna Bradley

All rights reserved.

Dedication

To my brand new little nephew, Kamerin.

Welcome to the world, baby boy.

CHAPTER ONE

The Pandemonium Playhouse, London

November, 1812

If you were half as shrewd as you think you are, Dinah Bishop, youd have secured Oliver Angel before a lady with a prettier face than yours snatched him up for herself.

Dinah didnt have to glance into the looking glass to see whod crept up behind her. No matter where she was or what she was about, her entire body prickled with irritation when she heard that sneering voice.

Florentina Fernside, undisputed queen of the Pandemonium Playhouse stage, darling of the drunken rabble in the pit, and tormentor of every actress doomed to tread the boards alongside her.

Dinah resumed stripping the heavy layer of stage powder from her face as if Florentina hadnt spoken. The woman had the attention span of a pot of face paint. If Dinah ignored her, shed soon grow bored and go away.

Of course, youre not the first actress here whos made a mess of her opportunities, but Id taken you for one of the clever ones. Florentina sauntered across the room, skirts twitching, and dropped into the chair beside Dinahs at the dressing table. Imagine my disappointment at finding youre as dim as all the rest of them.

Dinah tossed aside the damp cloth in her hand with a resigned sigh. Florentina wasnt going to go away on her own, but Dinah was more than willing to chase her off. What a shame she hadnt thought to pick up one of the rotten oranges hurled onto the stage this evening. Witless as she was, even Florentina knew enough to run when spoiled fruit was hurled at her head.

Or did you think your own face so alluring a man couldnt see past it? Florentina turned her gaze to her own reflection, her rosy lips curling into a smirk as she tweaked one of her dark ringlets into place.

Dinah met Florentinas narrowed eyes in the mirror. Is that how you lost Lord Archer? Overestimated the allure of your own pretty face? Pity, but then pride does come before a fall. You should study your Bible more often, Florentina. Book of Proverbs, I believe.

Dinah didnt bother to hide her satisfaction as Florentinas smirk darkened into a scowl. Florentina had lost her wealthy protector to another of the Pandemoniums actresses, Dinahs dearest friend, Penelope Hervey. William Angel, the Earl of Archer had fallen madly in love with Penelope last Christmas, and had made her his countess. Penelope was Lady Archer now, and mistress of Cliffs Edge, a lovely estate situated on the edge of the sea in Essex.

An actress turned countess. Dear me, how shocking! London was still reeling over it, but no one so much as Florentina, who could be relied upon to fall into a fury whenever Penelopes name was mentioned.

I suppose you thought youd enjoy a similar happy fate as your friend. Florentina tossed her head. You should have known better, my dear. Lord Oliver is as constant as a child with a shiny trinket clutched in its fist.

Dinah rolled her eyes. For pitys sake, this again? Everyone in London believed she was Olivers mistress. It wasnt true, but the truth was far less entertaining than a delicious lie, and no lie was more delicious than a lie about Oliver Angel.

London had suffered a severe blow when theyd lost Lord Archer to Penelope. The ladies might yet be in despair if Archers younger brother had been anyone less than Oliver Angel. As it was, Lord Olivers dimpled smile set hearts aflutter all over the city. Dinahs own heart was icier than most, but even hers thawed a degree or two when Oliver grinned at her. There wasnt a lady in London who could resist those deep dimples at the corners of his mouth.

Of course, resistance was a matter of measures. Dinah might admire Olivers dimples, but more often than not dimples came with a rogue attached, and rogues were too troublesome to bother with. People in general were a great nuisance, but she forgave Oliver his occasional antics because he was entertaining and clever, and truly kind-hearted.

She was fond of himnot too fond, because it wasnt wise to be too fond of a man with a smile like Oliversbut he was one of only a handful of people she considered a friend. Lord Oliver isnt my protector, Florentina.