Day Leclaire - Temporary Husband (Fairytale Weddings) (Harlequin Romance)

The Location: The Cinderella Ball.

The Groom: Jake Hondo has an inheritance to collect, but to do so he needs to wed and bed a womanany woman

The Bride: Wynne Sommers is a romantic. She believes in love at first sight, knights in shining armor and that a marriage is forever. All she needs is the man to prove it

The Outcome: Marriage! Well, Wynne is nothing if not optimistic and who ever said a TEMPORARY HUSBAND couldnt be persuaded to stick around?

On one very special night, single people from all over America come together in the hope of finding that special ingredient for a happy ever aftertheir soul mate. The Cinderella Ball offers the opportunity for immediate matrimony: come single, leave wed. Which is exactly what is about to happen to three unsuspecting couples in Day Leclaires magical new trilogy:

Titles in this series are:

November: TEMPORARY HUSBAND

December: ACCIDENTAL WIFE

January 1997: SHOTGUN MARRIAGE

Dear Reader,

I have a confession to makeI used to devour fairy tales. In fact, Ill still pick up my old, battered copy of Grimms Fairy Tales and lose myself between its pages for hours on end. As a child Id put myself to sleep making up my own version of these storieswonderful romantic tales of princes and princesses and eternal love. So I suppose its only appropriate that the idea for my FAIRYTALE WEDDINGS series came to me in a dream.

I found the premise wildly romantica ball thrown once every five years for single individuals eager to find a suitable mate. Attend, search for the man or woman of your dreams and marry. All in one night.

I suppose that in real life the rational, intellectual part of ourselves would stop us from behaving so impulsively. But in our dreams, in our imaginations, in that impetuous, sentimental part that we keep safely locked away from cynical eyes, perhaps we can see ourselves nervously entering the Montagues ballroom and looking for that perfect man or woman. We can leave reality behind. We can waltz with our own personal Prince Charming and steal a moonlit kiss in a secluded comer of the garden. And maybe, just maybe, well find our soul mate.

So heres your invitation to attend the Montagues Cinderella Ball, to escape into a few hours of fantasy. Meet lake Hondo, a tough, no-nonsense cowboy, and Wynne Sommers, a whimsical, soul-healing bit of mischief. Heres your invitation to find happily ever after.

Love,

In memoiy of Robert M. Totton. Well miss your humor, your wit and your wonderful stories. Mostly, well miss you just being there.

And special thanks to Oath Laing for her support, enthusiasm and hard work. Youre super!

Towson, Maryland

WYNNE SOMMERS sat on the floor of her apartment and cupped her chin, her pale brows drawn together in thought. Do you know what I really need, Laura?

Her friend snorted, folding clothes into a large moving box. Sure I know. You need to have your head examined if you still intend to go through with this ridiculous idea.

NoWhat I really need is a knight in shining armor. A protector.

Laura shoved the box to one side and glared. Oh, for crying out loud! Why dont you just wish for Prince Charming, a palace and a million dollars while youre at it? Its just as realistic. She threw up her hands in despair. Listen to me talking about realism, and to you of all people. A woman planning to marry a complete stranger wouldnt recognize reality if it bit her on the

Yes? Wynne questioned, amusement clear in her voice. Bit me where?

Oh, forget it, Laura muttered. Why do I bother?

Wynne smiled, not in the least offended by her friends bluntness. Because you care. And in case youve forgotten, I know all about reality and being realistic. It hasnt worked for me, which is why Im willing to give the alternative a try.

I know, Laura said, contritely. But to marry a complete stranger

My point exactly. Since I am going to marry a complete stranger, why not pick one with all the qualities I need?

Because its crazy. Its just asking for trouble. Lauras gaze grew concerned. Please, dont do this. There has to be another solution.

You know there isnt, Wynne said with calm finality. Ive lost my job, my apartment and Im out of money. This is the only option left. Itll work out, youll see.

Laura frowned. What do you mean youre out of money? she demanded. What happened to your savings?

I spent every last penny on my ticket to the ball. I had to. It was the only way to find a husband by the end of the month.

A long silence stretched between them. Wynne knew shed upset her friend, but she had no choice. From the moment shed found out about the Cinderella Ball, shed known it was the answer to her prayers. It had been a fluke that shed seen the advertisement at alla newspaper left at the restaurant where shed worked, a gust of wind from an open doorway, pages of newsprint blowing to the floor andAnd there it was. A small, elegant ad that had caught her eye and offered a chance of a lifetime.

The Cinderella Ball, it had read. Find romance. Find your Prince Charming. Find the woman of your dreams. The Cinderella Ball offers the opportunity for immediate matrimony. Come to the ball single and leave happily wed. And it had given a phone number, a number shed called that very night. A ticket to the ball had been exorbitant, the application form detailed and thorough. But shed apparently passed whatever investigative process they required and been accepted as a guest to the ball.

Unable to resist, Wynne crossed to the scarred dining table at the far end of the room and stared down at the thick gold-embossed envelope shed placed on her best remaining china plate. It had arrived earlier that day, hand-delivered by a liveried messenger along with a card that read, The Montagues wish you joy and success as you embark on your search for matrimonial happiness. Taking a deep breath, she opened the envelope again, removing the white velvet pouch inside.

Reverently she ran a callused fingertip over the pouch, then slid the surprisingly heavy gilt ticket from its nest. The metallic wafer caught the light from the overhead bulb and shimmered as though alive, flooding the drab room with a brilliant, golden promise. Shed done the right thing, she assured herself, made, the only possible decision. Just holding the engraved ticket filled her with that certainty.

Laura came to stand behind her. Im sorry, Wynne, she said. I didnt mean to criticize. Its justI worry about you. You dont always see people the way they really are, and Im afraid one of these days someone will take advantage of you.

I guess thats all the more reason I should get married. My husband can make sure that doesnt happen.

What if he takes advantage of you?

Wynne laughed. I wouldnt marry a man like that. Thats why Im going to the Cinderella Ball. The man I find will be special. She smiled with dreamy certainty. Hell be good and kind, patient and loving. Strong. Fair.