A Prior Engagement

Bargaining a puppy for her hand in marriage...what could possibly go wrong? Julia Reeves knows what she wants, and that is Oliver Northcott. At the age of eleven, she was clever enough to trick him into signing a letter in exchange for a puppy, one that promises he will wed her if she is still unmarried in ten years. But with her twenty-first birthday approaching, Julia is now clever enough to realize that the agreement is completely invalid. Oliver is away at sea, and her mother has plans for her marriage to the repulsive Lord Belper. Oliver Northcott usually looked forward to Christmas, but not when forced to return home from his ship after sustaining several injuries. Even worse than that, he finds that Julia is nearly engaged, and he is still helplessly in love with her. Uncertain about her feelings, he is hesitant to fulfill the ridiculous bargain they made years ago. Instead, he offers to help her repel Lord Belper. As they work together to stop his proposal, Oliver is forced to confront his feelings. Can a bargain made a decade before bring them together in time for Christmas?