Christmas Ever After: Kismet Bay Book Eight Read online

  She should be thanking him. He had awakened feelings in her she’d believed long buried. Her heart burst with happiness and affection for this man. “You don’t require my protection any more than you needed to dance with me.” She frowned. Lenora still couldn’t discern his motives for insisting on leading her in the waltz. “Either way the dance was lovely. I’m grateful I didn’t insist against it.”

  He laughed lightly and shook his head. “Little mouse you’re always so formal.” Julian bowed again. “The pleasure was all mine.” He glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Pardon me,” he said. “I must attend to something important.” His smile was bright and appeared genuine. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, my lady.” With those words he spun on his heels and headed in the opposite direction.

  Lenora smiled as she watched him wander off. She was starting to believe she had misjudged him. He’d been charming, as expected, but also kind and generous with his time. The duke hadn’t been required to dance with her. No gentleman was. That made his attention all the more precious to her.

  She wandered away from her favorite corner for willingly the first time all evening. Earlier didn’t count because Julian had to coax her away from it. Perhaps she should leave the ballroom and explore the gardens. It was starting to become suffocating in the ballroom. Lenora’s happiness was nearly bursting from within her. She hugged herself and twirled around as she made her way down the empty hallway leading to the balcony. There was a small staircase on the balcony that led down to the gardens.

  Voices echoed back to her. Two male voices to be more precise and both were recognizable.

  “Did she dance?” Her cousin asked. Why was Bennett so concerned about her dancing? Why couldn’t he leave her to make her own decisions?

  “Of course she did,” Julian responded. “Do you doubt my ability to charm a woman?” He sounded so…disgusted. Was that because he had to dance with Lenora or because Bennett had doubted his ability? “I can coax any woman to do, well, anything,” he boasted. “But a wallflower? That’s not even a challenge.”

  She’d been jubilant until that moment. Now every amount of joy she’d held inside of her deflated in an instant. He’d appeared so kind earlier… How had she gotten it so wrong?

  “Attention from you should have caught the notice of all the eligible gentleman in the room,” Bennett said. “They’ll want to know why the Duke of Ashley bothered with a wallflower. Soon she’ll have more callers than she wants.”

  She didn’t want any callers… A part of her hated her cousin for insinuating himself into her life this way. Why did he ask his friend to pay attention to her? Did he hate having her live with him that much? She’d thought they were closer than that…

  “I’ve done you this favor,” the duke said. “Don’t ask it of me ever again.” His tone was harsh and unyielding. It stabbed her in her fragile heart. She’d been on the brink of falling in love with him. The Duke of Ashley didn’t deserve her affection. Lenora doubted he was worthy of any woman’s love.

  Tears stung her eyes and slid down her cheek. She brushed them away with a swipe of her fingertips. They wouldn’t help her and they were as useless as her ability to read people. Lenora hardened her heart in that moment. She’d never play the fool again. It was time she learned to weave her way through society without letting another touch her soul again. She’d never be so easily duped again, but she had a lot to learn. There was one person who could teach her and she’d do whatever it took to convince her. That one person was the new Lulia Prescott—the gypsy Duchess of Clare...

  With her decision made she rushed out of the ballroom and walked all the way to the Holton townhouse. She’d need a good night of rest before she started her journey. Her first stop would be Tenby, Wales to visit with the duchess. After that she’d travel as planned. When she returned to London again she’d be an entirely different, better woman.

  Excerpt: Diamonds Don’t Cry

  Prologue

  Scarlett Oliver raised her face toward the sky. She closed her eyes and basked in the sunshine. Whispers on the wind filled her ears, forming a gentle melody in her mind. She hummed the tune out of habit until it was committed to memory. Later, she’d put it down on paper so she could go back to it whenever the mood happened to strike. Music was how the world spoke to her, and she in turn responded.

  “Don’t you have some place you need to be?”

  Her eyelids fluttered open, and she met her little half-sister Faith Pen’s gaze. Her inky black hair was cut in a pixie style that framed her face, and her olive green eyes nearly twinkled with mischief. Faith had the appearance of a dark Tinkerbell. She was short and tiny in every possible way. Almost everyone towered over her. Even Faith’s fraternal twin sister, Ashlyn, was taller than her. Where Faith had dark hair, Ashlyn’s was light Auburn, but they had the same shade of eyes.

  Scarlett smiled softly. “Is this your way of telling me I’m keeping everyone waiting?”

  “You’re supposed to be getting ready. You’re going to ruin your makeup and hair sitting out here.” Faith ran her hand lightly over the elaborate hairstyle Scarlett’s strawberry blonde hair had been pinned into. “These gold and diamond pins look so pretty in your hair. Come inside before you regret coming out here. Do you really want to be that type of bride? You know, the one that shows up late to her own wedding.”

  It was her wedding day. She was going to marry the man she’d loved forever. They probably should wait, but it didn’t seem right. When JD had proposed, she’d said yes without taking a moment to think about it. Being his wife was one of her biggest dreams, and in a short time, it would finally happen. Excitement mixed with nervousness filled her. Butterflies danced in her stomach, and her heart beat faster as she thought about the moment they would say their vows.

  “If you insist,” Scarlett said lightly. “I suppose I’ll go stuff myself into that big fluffy dress Mama insisted would be perfect.”

  “You never should have let her browbeat you into that. It’s your day, and you should have picked a dress that is perfect for you.” Faith had said this several times to her already. Scarlett wanted everyone to be happy, and it was just a dress. The important thing was that, at the end of the day, she’d be Mrs. Jensen Drake and JD would always love her.

  “It could be worse,” she said and shrugged. “When you find the man of your dreams and plan your wedding, you can stand your ground. It’s not that important to me.” Scarlett had never focused on material things. The people in her life were far more essential to her than any superficial items. If it made her mother happy to pick out her dress, then it made Scarlett happy too.

  “Come on,” Faith said and gestured toward the church. “You don’t want JD to see you before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”

  Faith wrapped her arm around Scarlett’s shoulders and they walked back into the church. They went right to the room that had been assigned to Scarlett to prepare for the wedding. The groom and the other men were to arrive later when it was closer to the time for the ceremony. She glanced at a nearby clock and frowned. Her gut tightened as fear started to fill her. Actually… They should be arriving soon. Was there something wrong? Should she be worried? “I really was out there longer than I should have been.”

  “I tried to tell you,” Faith chastised. “Let’s get you into this dress so your wedding starts on time.”

  “Where is Shayla?” She scanned the room. Shayla was Scarlett’s best friend and her maid of honor. “Why didn’t she come out to find me?”

  “She wasn’t in here when I arrived,” her sister said. “But you know Shayla. She probably found something more interesting to occupy her time.”

  That was her sister’s way of saying Shayla was flighty. Her best friend came through when it counted. She wasn’t worried. Her friend would be there to stand up with her while Scarlett married JD. “She’ll be here. Can you stand in for her and finish helping me?” She turned to meet Faith’s gaze. “Pretty please?”


  “Of course, I’ll help you. Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all along?” Faith went over to the other end of the room and picked up a garment bag. She carried the black bag over to Scarlett and hung it on a nearby hook, then unzipped it, revealing a magnificent textured white organza dress with a draped bodice and an asymmetrical skirt with a split-front overlay. Scarlett hoped it made her mother happy she’d agreed to wear it. The dress was a little too ostentatious in her opinion. “I suppose it is a little pretty,” Faith said, but her tone suggested she didn’t actually believe her words.

  “Some people will probably like it.” Scarlett stood and quickly hugged her sister. “Is Ashlyn going to come today?” She’d always been closer to Faith than Ashlyn. They had similar interests, and Ashlyn’s brain drove her to study and put all her energy into school. At the rate she was going, she’d graduate high school soon and then be in college before Scarlett decided what she wanted to do with her life. She’d mumbled something about an important exam and the wedding not really happening so why waste her time going. It had hurt Scarlett’s feelings, but she shrugged it off. That was Ashlyn…

  She also didn’t want to really believe her words. Ashlyn’s ability allowed her to see things others didn’t. Where Scarlett had clairaudient abilities that helped with her music, Ashlyn had minor premonitions and a photographic memory. Faith had a psychometric ability and could read auras. That made her not want to get close to many people. Their psychic abilities were passed down through her mother’s side of the family.

  Faith pulled the dress out and kept her back to Scarlett. “Ashlyn isn’t going to attend. She doesn’t believe that the wedding will take place.”

  Scarlett froze. “She’s still saying that?” Her earlier fear expanded into dread. She hadn’t wanted to listen to her sister’s premonitions. Scarlett wanted to believe that nothing would interrupt her special day. She still did…

  “She had one of her visions,” Faith said. “They don’t always come true.” The words spilled out of her mouth quickly. “You can’t let her make you doubt anything. JD loves you.”

  He did, and she wouldn’t let Ashlyn ruin her big day. She let out the breath she’d been holding. It might seem like she and JD were rushing into the wedding, but she believed they were making the right decision. They’d go off to college together, and then one day return to Sparkle City. They’d build an amazing life together. “I think it is time to get into my dress.” She undressed and stood in the room in her bra and panties, then turned to her sister. Scarlett wouldn’t dwell on Ashlyn’s absence either. Her sister was stubborn. They all were actually, but Scarlett would never have skipped her sister’s wedding. It hurt more than she would admit that Ashlyn had decided to stay home. Even if her vision had come true, which it wouldn’t, Ashlyn should have come to support her. She would need her sisters either way—good or bad. This was a special day for her.

  Faith smiled and held it out to her. Scarlett took it from her and stepped into it. Once it was pulled all the way up, Faith zipped it to the top. The dress fit her perfectly, and she even felt a little pretty wearing it. She turned to look at herself in the mirror. It was really happening. In less than an hour, she’d be standing in front of the pastor and would marry the man she loved.

  “The dress does look nice on you,” Faith said. “Perhaps Mother knows more than we give her credit for.”

  “Perhaps,” Scarlett said. “It’s not what I’d have picked for myself.” It was a lovely and expensive gown. “Let’s not tell Mother she has good taste though. It might give her ideas.” Their mother, Enid Oliver-Penn, could be…stubborn. Once she got an idea she refused to let it go without a fight.

  “It’ll be our secret,” Faith said softly. “Are you ready for this?”

  “I’ve never been more ready for anything.”

  A knock echoed through the room. “It must be time to start.” Faith walked over to the door and opened it. A man with chestnut hair and golden eyes wearing a dark suit stood on the other side. Harrison Thoreau—JD’s best friend. “I need to speak to Scarlett,” he said softly. What was he doing there? Shouldn’t he be with JD, preparing for the wedding?

  Faith frowned and then opened the door wider to allow Harrison to enter. Scarlett was dressed, so there was no reason to make him stand outside. He shoved his hands into his pockets and didn’t meet her gaze.

  “You came to talk to me,” Scarlett said. “What did you need to say?”

  She had a really bad feeling she wasn’t going to like it, but she also needed to hear it at the same time. Scarlett took a deep breath and prepared herself for his words. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and then reached inside of his jacket. He pulled out an envelope and presented it to her. “This is for you.”

  She lifted a brow. “What is it?”

  “Open it,” he said. Harrison averted his gaze. “It’s not for me to say…”

  Scarlett stepped closer to retrieve the envelope, but Faith stepped in front of her. She snatched the envelope from Harrison and inhaled sharply. “Don’t open this,” she told Scarlett. “You don’t want to read what is in there.”

  Damn Faith and her psychometric ability. It had to be horrible if she was telling her not to rip it open. Faith wouldn’t know what it said, but she’d know the feelings of the person who’d sent it. “Who is it from?” she asked. She wouldn’t listen to Faith. Reading it at this point was all she could do. Scarlett had to know what the envelope held inside of it. Good or bad she had to face it.

  Scarlett stepped closer to her sister and snatched the envelope from her. She had a feeling she knew what was inside. The warnings had all been there. She’d even heard a few whispers herself in the music around her, but had ignored them. She hadn’t wanted to believe the sorrow it had foretold. She tore it open and read the letter.

  Scarlett,

  Please forgive me…but I can’t do this. We’re too young, and I want to do so much with my life. I got recruited to play for the Triple A league for the Starlington Sparklers. I can’t pass up this opportunity, and I don’t want to drag you along with me. Maybe one day we can find our way back together again. I’ll understand if you never want to see me again. I don’t deserve you or your kind heart.

  Always,

  JD

  A tear slipped down her cheek. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Why would he wait this long to tell her? They had planned the wedding for weeks. Next week, college started… She let the letter drop to the floor. She had to get out of this dress. “Where is Shayla?” She needed her best friend. “Has she returned yet?” Shayla would know what to do next.

  Harrison froze and then slowly started to back out of the room. Something whistled in her ear. She spun and met his gaze. “What are you not telling me?”

  “I think you’ve had enough shocks for one day,” Harrison said. “I’ll leave you to sort all of this out. Unless you’d like me to make an announcement or something.”

  “Oh God,” Scarlett said. It hit her immediately what Harrison hadn’t said. There was no letter explaining where Shayla went. That would have been a little tacky to give her on her wedding day. Her best friend had run off with her fiancé. “Please say it isn’t true.”

  “I wish I could,” Harrison said. His voice was filled with remorse. “JD is making a mistake. He’ll regret this one day.”

  Scarlett remained immobile for several heartbeats. Nothing had gone as planned. Nothing would ever be the same. Why had she put so much into this day? Why had she relied so heavily on JD for happiness? Her heart beat heavily in her chest, and the room began to spin. She reached out to steady herself against the closest solid surface and fell against Harrison. He closed his arms around her, holding her upright. Scarlett would not cry. She would not fall apart. This heartache would not destroy her, and she would move on with her life. JD would not be the end of her. This was a beginning. Not the new one she had hoped for, but a different path all the same.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Scarlett said a
nd stepped away from Harrison. She wouldn’t take any more comfort from him or anyone. She had to do everything for herself. Independence was the key to surviving… “None of it matters. Nothing will ever be the same, and I don’t want it to be.” It’s time she grew the hell up and lived her life for herself. She put too much into JD, and it was foolish of her. It’s good that she knew now, and not after they were married. She’d have regrets then. She turned to Faith and did her best to harden her heart. “Help me out of this dress. We have to go make an announcement.”

  “I can do that for you,” Harrison repeated his offer. “It’s the least I can do…”

  “Thank you,” Scarlett said with a monotone voice. She had lost all ability to feel anything. “But you’ve already done enough. Please leave now.”

  Harrison spun on his heels and exited the room. Faith slid the zipper down on the wedding dress. Scarlett slid out of it and tossed the dress to the side. Perhaps later she’d burn it. She never wanted to see the offensive dress again. Ashlyn had been right. There would be no wedding today, and it was time to face everyone. It grated on every one of her nerves that her sister had foreseen this very thing and she, herself, had chosen to ignore it. Why should she have believed Ashlyn? JD had never failed her before…

  There was a first time for everything though. Next time, she wouldn’t dismiss one of Ashlyn’s visions outright, but she still would never forgive her sister. Ashlyn should be here. Should have known she’d need her and she’d chosen to stay away. Scarlett held her head high and exited the room. This was a day she’d never forget. It would serve as a reminder that happy-ever-afters weren’t for everyone. She’d missed her chance, and she’d have to create an entirely different life for herself.