The Christmas Cuckoo

By Mary Jo Putney

A rash act, a mistaken identity, and a Christmas surprise...

Major Jack Howard, a weary veteran of the Peninsular Wars, has just returned to England and intends to travel to an unwelcoming family home for Christmas. But when a pompous secretary gives him too many orders, Jack hops on the next stagecoach leaving the London inn, not caring where it's going. Too much whisky to stave off freezing leaves him sleeping it off in a different inn—and when an attractive young woman asks if he's Jack Howard, he happily goes home with her.

Despite vile weather, Meg Lambert drives to the local inn to collect her brother's friend Jack Howard, but since she's never met the man, she doesn't realize that she's brought home the wrong Jack Howard. Jack realizes her mistake when he awakes the next morning with an aching head—but he finds a warmth and welcome with Meg and her family that he's yearned for all his life. He can't bring himself to admit that he's a cuckoo in her nest—but what will happen when Meg's brother and the right Jack Howard turn up for Christmas?

This seasonal stand-alone Regency novella is also published in the author's Christmas Revels collection.


About the Author
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney's novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy. Winner of numerous writing awards, including two RITAs, three Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, and the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from Romance Writers of America, she has had numerous books listed among Library Journal's and Booklist's top romances of the year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pandamax Press
• Release date: Nov 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781497718890

Mary Jo Putney

Mary Jo Putney was born in upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she became a ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, has published over forty books, and was the recipient of the 2013 RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Book preview

The Christmas Cuckoo

The Christmas Cuckoo

A Regency Romance Novella

Mary Jo Putney

Pandamax Press

Contents

Praise for…

The Christmas Cuckoo

Author’s Note

Also by Mary Jo Putney

About the Author

Praise for New York Times

bestselling author Mary Jo Putney

*RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award*

*NJRW Career Achievement Award*

*Romantic Times Career Achievement Award*

*Two RITA Awards*

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One of my favorite romances of all time. 

—All About Romance

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An enduring classic… a towering landmark in romantic fiction that is quite simply the very best of the best.

—Romantic Times

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Marvelous characters and excellent plotting... charming and wonderfully romantic.

—Affaire de Coeur

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The characters are appealing, the situations unusual, and the story fascinating. You won't be disappointed!

—The Time Machine

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Wonderful characterization and a true sense that something is really at stake. First-rate work.

—Susan Elizabeth Phillips

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Rarely have I read a book about two such wonderful characters.

—TheRomanceReader.com

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Ms. Putney just gets better and better.

—Nora Roberts

The Christmas Cuckoo

Jack Howard, late a major in the 51st Regiment, gave a depressed sigh as he folded his large frame into the chair nearest the fire. After eight weeks of nonstop travel, he was rumpled, tired, and in dire need of a haircut and a shave. He had looked forward to reaching the Red Duck Inn so he could eat, sleep the rest of the afternoon, eat again, then perhaps enjoy a spot of socializing in the taproom before retiring for the night. By morning he would have been sufficiently recovered from the rigors of travel to endure the ordeals ahead.

Instead, no sooner had Jack set foot from the stagecoach than he had been intercepted by a small gray clerk. The aptly named Mr. Weezle was secretary to the countess—everyone always called her the countess, as if she were the only one in England—and he had been meeting the Portsmouth Courier every day for the last week. After the barest minimum of civil greetings, Mr. Weezle had swept Jack off to the coaching inn’s private parlor, then pulled a paper from his pocket and begun reading through the items, ticking each off with a pencil. And the more the secretary talked, the more depressed Jack became.

Weezle punctuated his monologue by pulling a card case from his pocket and handing it to Jack. The countess took the liberty of having new cards made for you.

The countess has taken rather a lot of liberties, Jack said dryly as he glanced at the top card before slipping the flat gold case into the single piece of baggage by his feet. At least the spelling was correct. But then, it was hard to mistake a name as common as John Howard.

Ignoring Jack’s ungracious remark, Weezle adjusted the spectacles on his nose and consulted his list again. There are some people the countess wishes you to call on before you leave London, but of course you cannot do so until you are properly attired. After we leave here, we will stop at Weston’s. Though this is a busy time of year, Mr. Weston has promised to produce some decent clothing for you overnight. Naturally, the garments won’t be done to his usual standards, but at least you will be presentable. A more appropriate wardrobe will be sent to Hazelwood within a week.

Obliging of Mr. Weston, but I have no intention of visiting any tailor this afternoon. When I do go to one, it will probably be Scott.

The countess would not like that, the secretary stated, as if that settled the matter. For him it did. Of course you need a valet, but it’s impossible to hire decent servants at this time of year. A pity you didn’t reach London last week, when you were supposed to. With Christmas just three days away, there simply isn’t time to accomplish all that should be done before going to Hazelwood. One of the countess’s cousins here in London has agreed to instruct you on how to get on in society, but there will be time for only a single lesson.

Among his friends Jack was famous for his imperturbable good nature, but Weezle’s words triggered a slow burn of anger. No, he said flatly. My manners may be rough by her ladyship’s standards, but I’m too old to learn new ones.

Weezle peered over his spectacles. No one doubts that your manners are gentlemanlike, he said with a belated attempt at tact, but since you’ve spent so many years in the army, the countess thought that a bit of polish would not go amiss. There will be a great deal of formal entertaining at Hazelwood.

Jack sighed, knowing that it was a waste of energy to be annoyed with the countess. She was his great-aunt by marriage and he had known her since he was in short coats. Usually he had been able to shrug off her domineering ways, so why was he so irritated today?

Perhaps because he’d had no chance to eat since hastily swallowing a slice of bread and a mouthful of ale at dawn. He stood and walked across the room to ring for a servant so he could order food and drink.

The secretary’s gaze fell on Jack’s shabby top boots. Those boots will have to go.

Jack stopped in his tracks, once again terminally exasperated. These are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned, and where they go, I go.

Ignoring the remark, Weezle said, Perhaps Hoby can find time to fit you for new boots tomorrow morning.

No.

Belatedly noticing Jack’s dangerous tone, the secretary said, Would you prefer the afternoon? Perhaps before visiting the countess’s cousin.

No, and no, and no again. I have no desire to visit Hoby or Weston or any of the people on the countess’s list, nor be drilled in etiquette like a raw lad up from the country. All I want is a meal and a hot bath and a decent night’s sleep. Come back tomorrow morning and we can talk about your wretched list.

Very well, if you insist, Weezle said stiffly. I’ve reserved rooms for you at the Clarendon. I’ll summon the carriage to take us there.

What’s wrong with staying here? Jack glanced around the inn’s clean and

Reviews for The Christmas Cuckoo

[Natalie S · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 stars just because the author had her characters handle misunderstanding by simply communicating and trusting each other. I've read a few regencies this year that could have been much better (albeit much shorter!) had their authors allowed the characters a similar maturity.