One Naughty Christmas Night

By Janet Berry

Two best friends. His family's Christmas party. One surprise gift.

Best friends since childhood, Victoria and Heath have never had romantic feelings for one another. That is, until, they are trapped in the library of his parents' home in a very intimate situation.

Intrigued by the longing she feels after her recent disappointment, Victoria makes a pact with Heath: He will teach Victoria the ways of passion in the days leading up to Christmas, and after, all will go back to the way it was.

But Christmas has a way of drawing people together, and Heath and Victoria find out that love is always in the air, especially on one naughty Christmas night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Berry
• Release date: Nov 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215733523

Book preview

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One Naughty Christmas Night Copyright © 2021 by Janet Berry

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was edited by Sue Soares of SJS Editing The cover was designed by Holly Perret of Swoonies Book Covers

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This story is for my friend Haley! She inspired this work and without her, it wouldn’t be here!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Thank you to all my wonderful beta readers for their help with this story!

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Candles lit the hallway of the Wellingtons’ Scottish castle, guiding Lady Victoria Murray to the parlor where her family and friends awaited her.

The smell of popcorn wafted through the hall, coming from the long garlands of it hanging from every surface. The bright yellow kernels were intertwined with pine greenery, large brown pinecones, and brilliant red berries accompanying it.

Wilhelmina Howard, Duchess of Wellington, had spared no expense this year for her family’s Christmas party; the entire castle was covered in opulent holiday decor.

Victoria arrived at the parlor door, unsurprised to see a tall man waiting there for her.

Heath Howard, the duchess’ youngest son and her lifelong best friend, leaned against the doorframe. His brandy eyes 1

One Naughty Christmas Night

connected with hers, watching as she closed the distance between them.

Enjoying the decorations? he asked, glancing back down the hall.

I am. I always enjoy your mother’s beautiful display every year.

He leaned close to her, his voice deep in her ear. Samantha has made a game out of causing my mother stress by eating every popcorn garland she comes across.

Your niece is as bad as Quinn when he was younger,

Victoria replied, referencing his older brother.

Quinn too had eaten the popcorn garland and was known to still do it just to cause his mother consternation at Christmastime.

She absolutely is, and I tell Quinn that all the time. I don’t think he believes me.

I do believe you; I’m simply trying to spare my wife the stress of raising another me.

Quinn Howard joined them in the doorway, a glass of his favorite brandy in hand.

Hello, Quinn, Victoria said, her skirts pooling as she curtsied.

Hello, Victoria. The mothers are waiting, but be warned, Lucinda is here.

Oh no, not her.

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It will be fine, Victoria, Heath whispered, giving her a gentle nudge towards the mothers.

But Lucinda—

I know.

A long sigh came from her, but she made her way over to them, taking a seat next to her mother.

Victoria, dear, there you are, Wilhelmina said, handing her a cup of tea.

Hello, Willie, Victoria replied, adopting the nickname she insisted they call her.

Victoria and Heath’s families had been great friends since before either of their parents had any children at all; all the Howard and Murray children grew up together over the years.

As the youngest of his two siblings, and Victoria the youngest of four, they were always paired up when their elder siblings spent time together, as they preferred to leave the younger two at home.

That fit Heath and Victoria fine, especially now that their elder siblings were all married and most of them with children. Victoria enjoyed being an aunt but was supremely glad she could leave the children with her siblings and retreat to her quiet home with her parents.

She glanced around the full parlor; most of the people were already here for the Christmas party.

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One Naughty Christmas Night

The Murrays never missed the Christmas party thrown by the Howards; the tradition was so long-standing that Victoria knew of no other way to celebrate the holiday.

Did I miss anything important? she asked, taking a sip of her tea.

Nothing of note, no, her mother stated firmly.

That’s a lie, Mrs. Murray, and you and I are very aware of it. Victoria looked over at Lucinda Howard, a dreaded Wellington cousin who oft hung on Quinn’s coat tails.

She sat stiffly at the end of the couch, the last dregs of tea sloshing around in the bottom of her cup. Her large, slightly hooked nose scrunched, her lips set in a hard line.

Lucinda, there was nothing important, her mother interjected. Victoria detected a stiff warning in her voice.

Mrs. Murray, she’s a grown woman. She can handle that James Bastion and his new bride are to be here at the Christmas party. After all, the Duke invited them. And, as we all know, Lord Bastion and the Duke have been friends for many, many years.

At the mention of Lord James Bastion, Victoria’s stomach tightened.

Why wouldn’t I be able to handle that? she said, taking another sip of her tea. He’s just a man, and he is of no importance to me at all.

Besides, she knew Lucinda had an ulterior motive for bringing it up.

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One Naughty Christmas Night

She was still upset that James chose Victoria over her last year, even though Lucinda set her cap for him. So, she took it out on Victoria every chance she could get, even though James disgraced himself, and Victoria broke off their courtship.

They say his new bride is in fact the chit he was caught cavorting with. They finally convinced her to marry him.

The edges of Victoria’s lips ticked up, and she replied, "Well, I’ll be sure to wish them every happiness when I see them again.

I’m sure, Lucinda, that you’ll do the same."

A sniff came from the edge of the couch.

Besides, Victoria said, I hear that Ophelia Bastion is nothing short of a beauty, with a wonderfully small, pert nose.

She set her teacup down on the small table and stood, excusing herself. Lucinda’s sputtering followed her out the door as she hurried down the hall, away from the parlor.

Her skirt swished along the marbled floor as she ran, holding her laughter in until she got to the foyer.

Victoria halted in front of the large foyer mirror, taking in her appearance. Her green eyes were bright and sparkly, her cheeks flushed.

Her dark-brown hair was piled high on her head, with small pearl pins holding it in place. She smoothed her dark-purple gown and sighed.

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One Naughty Christmas Night

Wretched woman, she said aloud to the hall, the sound echoing in the small foyer. Always trying to get a rise out of me. I thought we were past this.

She stepped back, checking her figure. It wasn’t as slim as some women, but she was still attractive.

Besides, what do I care if he comes?