It's Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren't for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.
continued firmly, “you are not to come anywhere near this tree skirt. What you do with a needle and thread should be considered a criminal act.” “I do try,” Lillian protested with a lopsided grin, settling back on her heels. “I start out with such good intentions, but then I get tired of making all those tiny stitches, and I start to hurry through it. But we must have a tree skirt, a very large one. Otherwise there will be nothing to catch the drips of wax when the tree candles are lit.” “Would
father about this ridiculous matchmaking business.” “It does seem to be turning into an annual event,” Daisy said. “After putting the two of us together last year, now he wants to force Rafe to marry someone. What does Mother say about it?” “Very little,” Lillian replied. “It’s difficult to speak when one is salivating excessively. Mother would love above all else to have an aristocratic daughter-in-law to show off.” “What do we think of Lady Natalie?” Daisy asked. “She’s a very nice girl,”
Gothic-style houses cropping up in the north, where the recently moneyed class was establishing itself. “Do anything you can,” Blandford continued, “to help facilitate an attachment between my daughter and Mr. Bowman.” Hannah stared at him in disbelief. Lord Blandford had always been a man of discernment and taste. She could scarcely believe that he would want Natalie, his only child, to be married off to a crass American manufacturer’s son. Natalie was beautiful, polished, and mature beyond
kisses. I need too much of you. A lifetime of nights spent between your thighs wouldn’t be enough. I want to talk with you forever. I remember every word you’ve ever said to me. If only I could visit you as a foreigner goes into a new country, learn the language of you, wander past all borders into every private and secret place, I would stay forever. I would become a citizen of you. You would say it’s too soon to feel this way. You would ask how I could be so certain. But some things
sound of a muffled cheer from inside. The toast was done. Rafe and Natalie were engaged. She nearly staggered under the weight of her own grief. Wild thoughts coursed through her mind. She couldn’t face it, any of it. She would have to leave tonight and go somewhere…back to her father and sisters…she could never see Natalie or Rafe or the Blandfords again. She hated Rafe for making her love him. She hated herself. She wanted to die. Hannah, don’t be an idiot, she thought desperately. You’re
