Lord Misrule — Donna Cummings

Juliana, Lady Courtenay, is no stranger to scandal. Not after her late husband died in the bed of another man. Now that the mourning period for her unwanted marriage is over, she is impatient to celebrate her freedom -- and what better way than with a love affair during the most festive time of year? Finally she can experience the excitement of spending the entire night with a man completely devoted to her pleasure. Except when she asks Lord Misrule to be her very first lover, the rogue declines.

Lord Misrule is eager for a diversion that will banish the regrets that always resurface during the Christmas season. Yet he cannot accept the desirable widow's tempting offer. If he did, it would be impossible to adhere to his strict rules for affairs -- no debutantes, no innocents, and no attachments -- all of which are necessary to prevent future misfortune.

But when it seems Lady Courtenay will choose a less-than-honorable man to be her lover, Lord Misrule's chivalrous nature insists he charge to her rescue. He offers her a twelve-day affair, intent on providing her a fortnight of pleasure without causing her heart, or his, a lifetime of harm.

Previously published in the A Very Wicked Christmas anthology