“Wait!” Dustin called out, pointing to the ceiling. “You’re standing underneath the mistletoe.”
With a twinkle, Trenton drew Ariana into his arms and kissed her. “Merry Christmas, misty angel,” he murmured.
“But it’s September,” she whispered inanely, unable to absorb the enormity of what he’d done for her. “It’s too early …”
“No, it’s years too late.” Trenton framed her face between his hands. “You haven’t had a Christmas in nearly a lifetime. I think it’s permissible for it to come twice this year. Besides …” He kissed her again, softly. “Didn’t you say you wanted to spend Christmas at Spraystone? This way we can enjoy the holiday at both our homes: the one I built, and the one you built for me.”
“Trenton …”
“I love you, misty angel,” he finished for her. “I’d give you the world … and your childhood back … if I could.”
“You’ve given me everything,” she breathed fervently, love shining in her eyes. “There’s nothing more I could want.”
A shrill cry from the skies reminded Ariana that she was wrong.
Overhead, heralding their holiday and their miraculous love, came nature’s own miracle: the messenger nature and fate had together devised to bring together the Duke and Duchess of Broddington.
And, like their love, the owl soared.
A Biography of Andrea Kane
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels—including fourteen historical and twelve contemporary novels—that have been published in sixteen countries and translated into more than twenty languages. Whether she’s writing about Regency England, America on the brink of civil war, or New York Police Department detectives caught up in mayhem and murder, Kane’s ability to create unforgettable stories has earned her a loyal worldwide following.
Kane published My Heart’s Desire, her first historical novel and the first book in the Barrett Family series, in 1991. Others quickly followed, including Samantha, the second book in that series; Echoes in the Mist and Whispers in the Wind (the Kingsley in Love series); and the acclaimed Black Diamond, Thornton-Bromleigh Family, and Colby Coin series. Stand-alone historic romances include Dream Castle (1992), Masque of Betrayal (1993), Emerald Garden (1996), and The Music Box (1998).
Kane’s groundbreaking romantic thriller Run for Your Life (2000) became an instant New York Times bestseller. This was followed by a series of suspense novels featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete “Monty” Montgomery. Kane’s current contemporary series introduced FBI special agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. Other thrillers include No Way Out, Scent of Danger, Twisted, I’ll Be Watching You, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, and, most recently, The Line Between Here and Gone.
Kane is a self-proclaimed “cerebral” type, and prides herself on her questioning, analytical mind, which has led to her passion for mysteries. She has spent many happy hours with the classic novels of Agatha Christie, trying to outsmart Hercule Poirot.
She is also a die-hard sentimentalist. She cries at old movies and believes in striving for happily-ever-after. In Kane’s words: “The idealist in me loves writing romance, and the pragmatist in me loves writing suspense. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to combine the two, and give you books that keep you at the edge of your seat, but at the same time, make you care.”
Kane lives in New Jersey with her family.
Andrea Kane as a little girl, with her first puppy, Inky, named for the black spots on his white back.
An eight-year-old Kane, a proud sleepaway camper for the first time.
A photo from Kane’s trip to the Thousand Islands (on the border of Canada and the United States) to research and write My Heart’s Desire. Kane toured the area by boat.
Kane and her husband, Brad, trying to simulate a novel’s cover pose while wearing period clothing.
Kane and her daughter, Wendi, outside Buckingham Palace during a weeklong research trip to England in 1998.
Kane and her daughter at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Kane believes that the castle is the most romantic place for creative inspiration.
The first Kane family cruise, to Bermuda: rough waters but happy faces.
Kane posing with friends in various period costumes.
Kane’s publication party and her first book signing for the release of My Heart’s Desire in 1991.
Kane’s original New Jersey Romance Writers team; she was first conference chair and then president of the organization.
Kane and Wendi at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in San Antonio, in full costume.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I OWE A WEALTH of thanks to the following people for their support and infinite patience:
Len Soucy of the Raptor Trust, a brilliant owl expert and the most patient educator. Without you I could never have brought Odysseus so vividly to life. I hope I did you proud. Odysseus remains, as he is destined to be, proud and free!
Pat, for books of edicts, hours of time and valuable friendship.
Michael, my quintessential source on Queen Victoria. Thanks for sharing your vast wealth of knowledge and your equally vast library with me.
Lisa, a special fan, a wonderful friend.
Jayne Ann Krentz, who took the time out of her own whirlwind schedule to read and endorse Echoes in the Mist. Jayne, I’m proud and grateful for your enthusiastic support.
And last, but never least, a few perpetual thank-yous.
To the incomparable other two thirds of my “dream team,” Caroline Tolley and Alice Harron Orr—the finest, most caring editor and agent any author could hope to work with.
And to my critique partner, Karen Plunkett-Powell, whose abilities never fail to astound me and whose insights are indispensable. Welcome back, Plunk.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook onscreen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
copyright © 1994 by Andrea Kane
cover design by Heidi North
978-1-4532-6558-1
This edition published in 2012 by Open Road Integrated Media
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Andrea Kane, Echoes in the Mist
(Series: Kingsleys in Love # 1)
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