[Belles of Christmas 04] • Nine Ladies Dancing

Twelve days, nine women, and the challenge to not fall in love. He’d have nothing to worry about, if his best friend weren’t one of the nine.

Matthew Pratt wouldn’t change a thing about his life—especially when he learns his childhood friend, Meg, will be joining him and his family for the holiday season. To make matters even better, his mother promises to no longer push him to marry, so long as Matthew meets with nine ladies of her choosing between Christmas and Twelfth Night. For an added prize from his father, Matthew must also keep from falling in love with any of the ladies. Unable to say no to a challenge, Matthew agrees, but that is before he realizes that Meg is numbered with the nine.

Meg Baker has always loved Matthew as a friend, but only recently has she discovered that her feelings are growing beyond that of simple camaraderie. Anxious to discover Matthew’s own feelings, Meg decides to draw as much attention to herself as possible during Christmastide, all before he returns to school.

As the holiday festivities begin, however, and Matthew takes an interest in other women—a great deal of other women—Meg fears she is too late to win his affection. But when a change comes in their relationship, Matthew must decide if he will remain comfortably single forever—or if Meg is worth the risk of a happily ever after.

Book 4 in the Belles of Christmas series, Nine Ladies Dancing, is a standalone Regency holiday romance. The series can also be enjoyed in this order:

Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbidge Strunk, Book 1

Goodwill for the Gentleman by Martha Keyes, Book 2

The Earl's Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold, Book 3

Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M. Hathaway, Book 4

A Duke for Lady Eve by Kasey Stockton, Book 5