Jackie Manning - A Wish For Nicholas

Cover Page

Praise Praise for Jackie Manning’s first book, Embrace the Dawn , written as Jackie Summers “…delightful, fast-paced romance…a facsinating debut novel.” — Romantic Times “This fast-paced, captivating novel makes for an incredible and enjoyable reading experience.” — Affaire de Coeur “…great, scintillating, five-star reading!” — Rendezvous “…a stunning debut…will live on in the reader’s heart long after the book is finished.” — GEnie Romance Exchange

Excerpt “I think we should shake on it,” Nick called after her. The thought of touching him caused a fluttery sensation deep inside Becky. “Of course,” she said. When his large, warm hand captured her small one, she almost gasped. A charge like summer lightning ripped through her. He studied her, his brilliant gray eyes staring through her. His straight black lashes shadowed his cheeks—or was it the trick of sunlight on this glorious day? Becky stood, lost in the smoky depths of his eyes. She felt as though she was peering at an ancient rock wall. Light and dark sparkles glittered from the depths of his soul. “Agreed.” He released her hand. Her mouth felt as dry as hay. She nodded, afraid to trust her voice. She wiped her hand on her skirt, then strode back to her horse, forcing herself not to run like the devil…

Dear Reader Dear Reader, In A Wish for Nicholas by Jackie Manning, a young widow who has been draining the income from her profitable land to improve the lives of the crofters is dismayed to learn that the crown has given away her estate as a prize to a handsome young naval hero, a man determined to uncover her secrets and win her heart. Don’t miss this delightful tale. Margaret Moore’s popular WARRIOR SERIES is still going strong, as you will discover with A Warrior’s Bride, the wonderful tale of a peace-loving knight and a fiery noblewoman who make an unlikely match in a stormy marriage of convenience. And we are very pleased to have USA Today bestselling author Merline Lovelace back in our midst with her new Western, Countess in Buckskin, the passionate story of a Russian countess who falls in love with the rough-hewn American lieutenant who has been forced to escort her through the untamed mountains of California. Cassandra Austin also returns this month with a ranch story, Hero of the Flint Hills, about a woman who is engaged to an aspiring politician, but finds herself drawn to his rugged half brother. Whatever your tastes in reading, we hope you enjoy all four books. Sincerely, Tracy Farrell Senior Editor

Title Page A Wish for Nicholas Jackie Manning www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JACKIE MANNING believes in love at first sight. She and her husband, Tom, were married six weeks to the day after they first met and he proposed, many happy years ago. Home is a one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old colonial in Maine, where they live with their two dogs, a Shih Tzu and an Aussie Terrier. When Jackie isn’t writing romances, she’s researching and visiting interesting places to write about. She loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 1739, Waterville, ME 04963.

Dedication A Wish for Nicholas is dedicated to a true hero—a man whose love, gentle strength and quiet wisdom mean more to me each day. Bear, you’re truly the wind beneath my wings. My special thanks for the love and support from my writer’s group. Mechele Cooper, Terri Hibbard, Carole Lambert, Prudy McMann, John Wells and Meg Wickes. Thanks for making Monday and Thursday nights so marvelous. And to my three guardian angels, Vicki Hinze Barrett, Elizabeth Sinclair and my special sister, Kim Kowzlowski. Love ya, guys.

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

Copyright

“…delightful, fast-paced romance…a facsinating debut novel.”

— Romantic Times

“This fast-paced, captivating novel makes for an incredible and enjoyable reading experience.”

— Affaire de Coeur

“…great, scintillating, five-star reading!”

— Rendezvous

“…a stunning debut…will live on in the reader’s heart long after the book is finished.”

— GEnie Romance Exchange

The thought of touching him caused a fluttery sensation deep inside Becky. “Of course,” she said.

When his large, warm hand captured her small one, she almost gasped. A charge like summer lightning ripped through her. He studied her, his brilliant gray eyes staring through her. His straight black lashes shadowed his cheeks—or was it the trick of sunlight on this glorious day?

Becky stood, lost in the smoky depths of his eyes. She felt as though she was peering at an ancient rock wall. Light and dark sparkles glittered from the depths of his soul.

“Agreed.” He released her hand.

Her mouth felt as dry as hay. She nodded, afraid to trust her voice. She wiped her hand on her skirt, then strode back to her horse, forcing herself not to run like the devil…

Dear Reader,

In A Wish for Nicholas by Jackie Manning, a young widow who has been draining the income from her profitable land to improve the lives of the crofters is dismayed to learn that the crown has given away her estate as a prize to a handsome young naval hero, a man determined to uncover her secrets and win her heart. Don’t miss this delightful tale.

Margaret Moore’s popular WARRIOR SERIES is still going strong, as you will discover with A Warrior’s Bride, the wonderful tale of a peace-loving knight and a fiery noblewoman who make an unlikely match in a stormy marriage of convenience. And we are very pleased to have USA Today bestselling author Merline Lovelace back in our midst with her new Western, Countess in Buckskin, the passionate story of a Russian countess who falls in love with the rough-hewn American lieutenant who has been forced to escort her through the untamed mountains of California.

Cassandra Austin also returns this month with a ranch story, Hero of the Flint Hills, about a woman who is engaged to an aspiring politician, but finds herself drawn to his rugged half brother.

Whatever your tastes in reading, we hope you enjoy all four books.

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

believes in love at first sight. She and her husband, Tom, were married six weeks to the day after they first met and he proposed, many happy years ago. Home is a one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old colonial in Maine, where they live with their two dogs, a Shih Tzu and an Aussie Terrier. When Jackie isn’t writing romances, she’s researching and visiting interesting places to write about. She loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 1739, Waterville, ME 04963.