Once Upon a Christmas Past

by Regan Walker

  After she moved to Florida, she started writing novels, her lifelong dream. She wrote her first medieval romance, A Knight’s Vengeance, while her baby daughter was napping. Catherine’s books were originally published in paperback and several were released in Czech, German, and Thai foreign editions. She has won numerous awards for her stories, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her novels also finaled in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the National Readers’ Choice Awards, and the International Digital Awards.

  When not working on her next book, Catherine enjoys cooking, baking, browsing antique shops, shopping with her daughter, and gardening. She lives in Central Florida with two spoiled rescue cats.

  Connect with Catherine Kean

  Website

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  Facebook

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  Book Bub

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  Goodreads

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  Amazon Page

  Books by Catherine Kean

  A Knight and His Rose (Novella)

  A Knight to Remember (Novella)

  A Knight’s Desire

  A Legendary Love (Novella)

  A Witch in Time (Novella)

  Bound by His Kiss (Novella)

  Dance of Desire

  Her Gallant Knight (Novella)

  My Lady’s Treasure

  One Knight in the Forest (Novella)

  One Knight Under the Mistletoe (Novella)

  One Knight’s Kiss (Novella)

  That Knight by the Sea (Novella)

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  Knight’s Series Novels

  A Knight’s Vengeance (Knight’s Series Book 1)

  A Knight’s Reward (Knight’s Series Book 2)

  A Knight’s Temptation (Knight’s Series Book 3)

  A Knight’s Persuasion (Knight’s Series Book 4)

  A Knight’s Seduction (Knight’s Series Book 5)

  A Knight’s Redemption (Knight’s Series Book 6)

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  Boxed Sets

  The Knight’s Series: Books 1-5

  Christmas in Camelot

  Brenda Jernigan

  Award Winning Author

  Copyright © 2004 by Brenda K. Jernigan

  Copyright 2016 by Brenda Jernigan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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  Cover by Kim Killion

  Created with Vellum

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my husband, Scott.

  to all the Christmases past,

  to the Christmas present,

  to all the Christmases to come.

  I love you.

  Praise for Brenda Jernigan

  Brenda’s books have been a finalist

  Booksellers Best Award

  Holt Medallion Award

  Maggie Award

  “Ms. Jernigan writes adventure and magic.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “Ms. Jernigan takes an old plot and makes it fresh and exciting.” Rendezvous Magazine

  “Ms. Jernigan writes her stories with a true flair for love and romance” A Romance Review

  “Tender love story with a feisty heroine, a rugged hero and charming children. Don’t miss it!” Joan Johnston - NY Times Bestselling Author

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  “A passionate, witty, delightful read...filled with snappy dialogue and great characters. I couldn’t put it down. A definite keeper.” Fiona Hood-Steward

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  “As usual her characters are interesting, her plot action-packed, and her love story filled with conflict and emotion. A great read from a talented writer.” Rendezvous Magazine.

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  “Cassie Edwards' readers are sure to find Brenda Jernigan irresistible …” Rhapsody Debut Author - Rhapsody Book Club.

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  “Brenda Jernigan has written an emotionally touching novel that tugs the heartstrings in all the right ways. I fell in love with all the characters. This is truly a fantastic read that should be savored and enjoyed over and over again. I look forward to many more books from this wonderful author.” Interludes Magazine.

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  “Don't start this one until you are sure you will have plenty of time to read. You won't want to put it down. AWESOME! Highly recommended!” Huntress Reviews.

  Praise for Christmas in Camelot

  “Brenda Jernigan’s warmhearted CHRISTMAS IN CAMELOT, involving an unconventional Christmas gift and an unusual wager, contains equal parts, romance, adventure and holiday magic.”

  ~ Publisher’s Weekly

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  "A talented writer ... her characters are interesting, her plot action-packed, and her love story filled with conflict and emotion."

  ~ Rendezvous Magazine

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  "A Rising Star!" ~ Romantic Times Magazine

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  "Blending adventure with fairytale magic, Jernigan crafts page-turners." ~ Rashmi Srinivas - Road to Romance.

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  "Jernigan deftly weaves magic, suspense, and romance ... what more could a reader want?" ~ Huntress Book Reviews

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  Praise for Christmas in Camelot

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  "Ms. Jernigan writes with a true flair. This will be a welcome addition to your Christmas romance treasury."

  ~ Debbie Kepler - A Romance Review

  "This engaging story will tempt you away from Christmas shopping and give you a few hours of pleasure and joy."

  ~ Kathe Robin - Romantic Times Magazine

  "Brenda Jernigan does what no other author has accomplished yet: create a special place of honor for you at fabled Camelot’s Christmas holiday celebration. It’s a fresh change of pace and picked number 1 in my book."~ Julie Sturgeon - Pages Magazine

  "WOW! I have always loved the tales of magical Camelot . . . and they are all here! I loved it." ~ Detra Fitch - Huntress Book Review

  Blurb

  Caught

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  Nicholas’s arms went around Noelle. He was going to end this attraction he felt for her once he gave her a thorough kiss. Her arms slid around his neck, and he shook with a raw need that shot through him like a lance.

  When he pressed his mouth against her lips, she parted them slightly and let him delve into the sweetness of her mouth.

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  God, she was pleasing. She responded to his touch, and when she molded her body to his, he thought that what little reason he held on to had surely deserted him.

  Where was the strong discipline that Sir Nicholas prided himself in?

  Evidently, he’d left it on the battlefield.

  Good thing she wasn’t the enemy. Or was she?

  Prologue

  The Great Hall of Camelot stood silent.

  The two men watched each other warily.

  They waited.

  Who would be the first to speak?

  Both were Pendragons ... a stubborn lot.

  “Do you know why I have summoned you?” King Arthur finally asked as he leaned on the arm of his chair, gazing evenly at the only knight present at the Round Table.

  “Aye, sire,” Sir Nicholas the Dragon, and cousin to the king, replied, neither flinching nor casting his gaze away from Arthur. Nicholas was, however, thankful that his king had chosen a private audience to discuss these matters.

  “It is a difficult decision I have to make,” the king said, waiting for Nicholas to explain his actions.


  Nicholas was in no mood for any of this. He did not make a habit of explaining himself, but since it was the king who’d asked, it was probably prudent that he answer him.

  Stalling for time, Nicholas glanced at the beautiful wooden table which had been a gift to Arthur from Lady Guinevere. Letters of gold marked the place of each knight, with Nicholas’s seat directly across the table from the king. No knight could claim himself to be better than another, for there was no “high” or “low” table, simply the Table Round, where all men were equal.

  Of course, King Arthur’s seat was a bit higher, which wasn’t really necessary, for none of his knights doubted that Arthur was in charge. All had sworn loyalty to their king, which brought Nicholas to the problem at hand.

  He turned a baleful eye on the king and finally asked the words Arthur had waited patiently for. “Would you care to hear the truth, sire?”

  Arthur nodded slowly. “Aye.”

  “I have never pretended to be other than I am with the Lady Clarisse. She knew from the start that it was not marriage I would be offering, merely a liaison for a while. Nothing more.”

  “What is this nonchalance that you have for women?” Arthur asked. “Do you think they are mere amusements?”

  “There have always been damsels, sire. Everywhere. I have many times climbed into bed at night to find I was not alone. I did not bid them come. So why should they be treated as special?”

  “I see,” Arthur said. “As to Lady Clarisse . . .” Arthur paused as a serving maid, Matilda, appeared to refill his gold chalice, clumsily spilling the red liquid on the Siege Perilous seat. “God’s teeth, will you ever learn to hit the goblet and not the chair?”

  “Sorry, sire. My vision, you see, is not what it used to be,” she explained, paying absolutely no attention to Arthur’s reprimand. She moved over to Nicholas and filled his chalice, giving him a brilliant smile. Matilda had been at the castle so long that she had grown bold in her old age, and she more or less ran the household. She was truly Arthur’s favorite and, for that reason, he put up with her insolence.

  She looked at Arthur. “Would you desire anything else, sire?”

  “That will be all, Matilda.” Arthur smiled fondly as she shuffled from the room, then he turned back to Nicholas. His smile instantly faded. “As I was saying, Lady Clarisse claims she is ruined.”

  “I can truly say that I have never ruined any woman, including Clarisse. I was not her first and will surely not be the last.” Nicholas paused and then decided a bit more was needed. “At the moment, I have no desire to marry. When I do, it will be to someone of my own choosing.

  “I saw with my own eyes how my mother destroyed my father and drove him to his death. I want none of that.” Nicholas paused, taking a swallow of wine to wipe the bitter taste from his mouth. “I am not certain that the woman for me exists. You are fortunate to have Guinevere, sire.”

  “Aye. My queen is a rare gem indeed,” Arthur said with a smile. “But I felt the same as you not so long ago,” he confessed as he watched his favorite knight. Nicholas was favored not because they were cousins, but because he had saved Arthur’s life twice in battle, earning his place at the Round Table in spite of his inauspicious beginnings.

  Nicholas lost his birthright when his mother burned their castle to the ground. She perished in the fire, leaving Nicholas to fend for himself at ten. How the boy had survived, Arthur didn’t know. Maybe Nicholas’s ability to feel nothing had allowed him to persevere.

  Since Sir Nicholas had stormed into the king’s life, proving his bravery over and over again, Arthur had had little peace. An aura of excitement surrounded the knight wherever he went. Nicholas feared nothing, so it seemed except love. He had broken at least five hearts that Arthur knew about and probably countless others.

  King Arthur finished his wine before he spoke. “I want you to take your men and pay a visit to the King of Ireland. There are heathens there who do not support us. They must be convinced otherwise.” Arthur paused noting the excitement and anticipation in Nicholas’s eyes.

  It was apparent that Nicholas looked forward to the challenge, so the task was little punishment. A bit more was needed Arthur thought.

  “I also want your promise that you will not look at another woman for three months. I will relieve you of your promise on December first.”

  Nicholas’s eyes narrowed and his brow wrinkled; then he said, “It is a bit harsh, sire.”

  “You said yourself that women meant little to you. I conclude, then, that you will not miss them. Perhaps they will mean more after you have done without a fair lady for a while. I wager you will have a different opinion upon your return.”

  “And what would you like to wager?” Nicholas challenged with a sly smile.

  Arthur thought for a moment. “How about the two white warhorses you have been wanting?”

  Nicholas nodded. “Agreed. And if I lose?”

  “I want two of your black ones.”

  Nicholas rose to his feet with a triumphant smile. “As you know, sire, I never lose.” He gave his I-am-already-the-victor smile, then picked up his chalice and raised it in a toast. “To God and King,” Nicholas said, then drained the wine from his cup and left the room.

  Arthur stared at the door long after it shut. Would Nicholas ever find the peace he sought? He was a man who feared nothing, a man who served Arthur faithfully, but cared not for his own welfare. Arthur hoped that one day Nicholas would find a woman he desired above all others. However, if the conquest were easy, he would tire and turn from her.

  But what if the woman was unattainable?

  “That would prove interesting,” Arthur said to the empty room. “I believe we need a miracle in Camelot.”

  He rose and looked at his glorious table, a plan forming in his mind.

  It would be difficult to accomplish.

  And it could be for nothing.

  But it would make for an entertaining Christmas season, he thought. Arthur smiled as he went to seek his queen.

  This year Arthur couldn’t wait for Christmas in Camelot.

  Chapter 1

  “Not on my life!”

  Lady Noelle Mallory’s voice echoed around the Great Hall of Cranborne Castle. She gripped the back of the tapestry-covered chair. The Great Hall seemed to be closing in on her.

  Were her brothers daft?

  They didn’t look daft.

  But there they sat in the carved oak chairs reserved for the head of the table, apparently thinking that she’d be happy to do their bidding as if she were some simpleton. Well, they were not talking to a maiden of twelve years.

  “Be reasonable, Noelle,” her eldest brother said. “You should have been married long before now as you are older than most by some six years. If not for our father indulging your whims, you would be long married. But you were always waiting for that special knight with his polished armor to carry you away. What nonsense! Merlin put foolish notions into your head when you were but a child.” John Mallory paused then sat back in his chair and leaned on the arm. “Tristan and I have tried to be patient, but our patience has worn thin.”

  “As has your coin,” Noelle spat. “Should I point out that neither of you is married?”

  “It is different for men,” Tristan said.

  “God’s wounds!” John slammed his hand on the table. His face was as red as his surcoat. “Don’t you remember the men you have rejected? Good proposals all.” Their wealth would have helped Cranborne thrive.

  Noelle tightened her grip on the chair. “Aye, I well remember.” She shrugged. “They were not to my liking.”

  “We have come to the conclusion that you know not what you want, so Tristan and I have chosen for you.”

  “It is so nice of you both,” she said in as sarcastic a tone as she could muster, then looked at Tristan, who had always been her confidante. “You are a traitor.”

  “Nay.” He shook his head in denial. “This time I must agree with John. We have no
t chosen a peasant for you. He is one of King Arthur’s knights.”

  John faced his sister, noting her hellbent stare: one that could freeze him to the chair if he were to pay her any attention. He’d been living with her temper all his life and, thankfully, had learned to survive, as had Tristan. However, Tristan was of little help. He had contributed to her wild ways. He’d even gone so far as to let her pose as his squire.

  John sighed. His attempts to reason with his sister were apparently getting nowhere.

  The problem with Noelle was her beauty. With her flaxen hair and creamy skin, she could wrap any man around her finger. Upon doing so, she’d merrily send them on their way. She required a challenge. And this time, John had found somebody he was certain could handle her. They had been forced to throw in twenty acres of land because her stubborn disposition was well known. Praise the Lord, Sir Gavin was willing to try, and John wasn’t sure that even Sir Gavin would be able to tame Noelle. But Cranborne needed a knight of his stature, and his army for protection. The evil Prince Meleagant was always on the prowl for weaker holdings. John admitted he had not done well managing Cranborne, but with a little help he would do better next time.