Mistletoe, Mischief, and the Marquis: The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels: A Story

By Amelia Grey

A delightfully charming, wickedly sexy Regency-set Christmas romance novella from New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey!

The Marquis of Wythebury, is expecting an ordinary Christmastide at Hurst—until he is set upon by a beautiful miss who takes him to task for not allowing his young nephews to play outside. In his mind, a five and seven year old needn’t get chilled in the snow; better to plop them in front of the fire with a book. Few people have ever been brave enough to challenge him over anything, much less the rearing of his wards. The cheeky Miss Prim has no such compunction. No matter how fetching he finds her, he can’t give in to his attraction…for she is the sister of his best friend.

Growing up the middle child of five rambunctious girls, Lillian Prim doesn’t understand why two young boys visiting Hurst don’t know how to play until she meets their dashing guardian. The Marquis of Wythebury is commanding and intensely serious-minded. To her surprise, she’s captivated by him. It’s all she can do not to give into her feminine fantasies about her kissing him. Lillian has no intention of falling in love with the Marquis, but she will create Christmastide mischief and teach the boys and the handsome Marquis how to play, in Mistletoe, Mischief, and the Marquis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Nov 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781250141170

Amelia Grey

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen and she’s been a devoted reader of love stories ever since. Her awards include the Booksellers Best, Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have sold to many countries in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and most recently to Japan. Several of her books have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Amelia is the author of over twenty-five books, including the Heirs' Club trilogy and the Rakes of St. James series. She’s been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.

Book preview

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author's copyright, please notify the publisher at: http://us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

Chapter 1

Seth Wythebury, the second Marquis of Wythebury, had never given much credence to old adages, but now he was ready to believe the saying If the milk wagon can be turned over, it will be.

He looked in the mirror he’d propped up on top of the shaving bureau and dried the last traces of soap and beads of water from his face and neck. When he’d first received the invitation to spend the Christmastide Season at Hurst, he’d declined. It’d been just over a year since his sister and her husband had died of a fever within days of each other. He hadn’t felt right about leaving his two young nephews alone at this time of year. But Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, had sent another letter insisting he come and bring the lads with him.

That bit of encouragement was all Seth needed to accept, but he should have known it wasn’t a good idea.

For the past few months, Seth had been a man of few vices. After having spent the entire year at Wythebury, the lure of a few bachelor pursuits had been too tempting to resist. Visions of hunting, riding, and shooting during the day, along with one or two all-night card games at the village tavern beckoned. A soft woman to warm his bed and a good bottle of brandy seemed in order too. Besides, there was always the possibility that Crispin had invited some other members of the Heirs’ Club to spend time with him at Hurst. They would enjoy relaxing by the fire in the evenings with a glass of port, maybe a game of chess.

While Seth pulled his shirt over his head and stuffed the tail into the band of his trousers, he heard childish squeals and shouts of laughter. Even though it was late when they arrived at the guest wing of the estate last night, it appeared Heron and Fallon were already up. Apparently, after his meandering bluster about not knowing how to care for young boys, his valet had managed to get them up and dressed after all.

Seth grunted a quiet laugh while he reached for his collar and neckcloth. The thought of the fastidious Tabard doing the job that was usually left to a governess was amusing.

Their grueling carriage ride with endless chatter from his nephews had been cold and long. A three-day journey over frozen roads that were too often only deep bumpy ruts had been bad enough, but yesterday morning when they’d started to leave the inn where they’d overnighted, Mrs. Barstaple told him she’d awakened feeling poorly with a deep, ill-sounding cough. Not wanting to subject the lads to another day in a cramped coach with the sick woman, Seth had decided it was best to leave the governess at the inn to recuperate while they continued on to Hurst. She would join them when she was well enough to travel. Until then, a quite reluctant Tabard would see to it the boys were dressed and fed—it would be up to Seth to see to it their studies were accomplished.

Before his sister had died, she’d made Seth promise to be not only a guardian but also a father to her young sons. Perhaps she’d forgotten that she and Seth had lost their own father when Seth was but a mere boy. That didn’t matter. He had to grant her last wish.

Seth didn’t know much about fatherhood, and nothing about children—except that they ran wherever they went at breakneck speed and discarded their wooden toys wherever and whenever it pleased them to do so. They liked to jump too. Off beds, or steps, or anything they could climb on top of. Perhaps when the lads were older, they’d see the value of going at a more leisurely pace.

In the meantime, Seth would continue to carefully watch over them, teach them all he knew, and prosper their estates and yearly incomes. Seth’s vow to his sister would be fulfilled when Heron and Fallon came of age. Once they were educated and old enough to take responsibility for their own inheritances from their mother, their father, and two sets of grandparents, Seth’s debt to his sister would be paid.

Sounds of the boys’ merriment floated up to his room again as he tied his neckcloth. It sounded as if they were outside. In this dreary weather? Seth frowned. He was already worried Fallon and Heron would come down with whatever it was their governess had caught, and now, being out in this weather, they could catch lung fever too. Grabbing his waistcoat off the bed, he walked over to the window. Snow covered the ground, the shrubs, and the yew hedge. It even clung to the spindly leaf-stripped trees outlining the distant horizon.

Snow, he muttered to himself while buttoning his quilted dark brown waistcoat. And not even past Boxing Day.

Icy wind greeted him when he opened the window to listen. Gleeful, youthful screams of delight sounded louder. The lads were definitely outside in the cold. He would have thought Tabard knew better than to allow them out on a bitter morning like this, but perhaps the valet was truthful when he’d said his knowledge of children didn’t extend any further than Seth’s.

This was not a good beginning to his two-week stay at Hurst. He would have tried calling to them but knew his voice would fall on deaf ears. They would give him no regard for instructions until he was close enough so they could look him in the eyes.

Shoving his arms into his coat, he exited the bedchamber and headed down the stairs, fearful the boys might be susceptible to a dire illness before he could get them back inside. The enticing aroma of baked bread and cooked fruit reached him when he made it to the bottom. Figs? Plums? Something sweet and delicious, for sure.

Having spent many enjoyable stays with the Duke of Hurst in his home, Seth knew the house well. He strode straight to the back door and opened it. Peals of excited laughter greeted him. Bounding down the steps in polished boots, he marched along the side of the house on crunchy snow, intent on putting a stop to this madness.

Tag, you’re it! Seth heard one of the boys yell.

Not for long, a female voice responded as he rounded the corner and took a frosty ball of snow squarely on his nose—launched by the most beautiful young lady he’d ever seen. Her aim couldn’t have been better if she’d been a marksman.

Noise from the boys quieted instantly. Tiny ice crystals fell from his face. The young lady was perhaps more startled than he. Her full, tempting lips formed a surprised O. She was out of breath and her cheeks were flushed from the cold, her exertion from fending off two boys, and no doubt a bit of blushing for hitting the wrong target too. But it was the unveiled amusement he saw lurking deep in her beautiful blue eyes that made his lower body thump and his stomach do a slow

Reviews for Mistletoe, Mischief, and the Marquis

[thebookjunkiereads-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet holiday read that show you even a historical romance at Christmas holds that special something. The Marquis of Wythebury and his best friend’s sister have a lot to teach each other this holiday season. Miss. Prim was sweet, sassy, and playful. She was determined to show two little boys the meaning of play, fun, and combing it with Christmas. This holiday season we will see just how two opposites attract and make it more than just a missed match pair.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mistletoe, Mischief, and the Marquis by Amelia Grey is a 2016 Swerve publication. A sweet and fun holiday romance! The title says it all. Lillian is fun and mischievous and Seth is studious and serious. When they meet at a house party, Lillian chides Seth for being too hard on his nephews and issues him a challenge, which gives her the chance to give the boys a break from all that studying they are required to do. In the process, the two opposites discover they attract, as they tease and flirt and engage in the most delightful banter. However, despite her having fallen in love with Seth, their differences do not make them a good match…. At least in Lillian’s opinion. Can Seth change her mind?This is a cute novella, featuring two headstrong characters who learn to compromise to make their relationship work. I love an unconventional heroine and appreciated Lillian’s upbeat positivity. She is really good for Seth and his nephews. Seeing Seth loosen up and have a little fun was wonderful, and provided me with a few smiles. I love it when a guy rises to the occasion to win a lady’s heart and Seth’s grand gestures are very sweet and romantic. Overall, this story really cheered me up and lightened my mood, so I can easily recommend it to everyone.4 stars*Netgalley

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mistletoe, Mischief and the Marquis by Amelia GreyThe Heirs' Club of Scoundrels #3.5I smiled, I felt, I enjoyed and I was thoroughly engaged in reading this delightful holiday romance. Though less than one hundred pages the story was perfection. And, when I had read the last word I was not ready to leave the characters behind. In fact, I now want to find the other books in the series and read each and every one of them!Seth Wythebury, Second Marquis of Wythebury is the guardian of his nephews Fallon and Heron. He takes his responsibilities for the 5 and 7 year olds seriously – even when on a holiday visit to his friend, the Duke of Hurst. His first encounter with Lillian Prim, the duke’s sister, was perfection and set the stage for the rest of the book. Lillian stirred something in Seth by being open, honest and a bit mischievous. Her beauty was not superficial but an intrinsic part of her personality and being. The two were made for and mad about one another BUT would love be enough or were their personalities too dissimilar to create a lasting forever relationship? I loved this story and would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. I would like to thank the author for writing the story because it charmed me, warmed my heart and made me happy today. This is my honest review.5 Stars