title: Miss Pageant's Christmas Proposal
author: Waite, Tabetha
description: He was supposed to be her catch of the season…Miss Emary Pageant is a diamond of the first water, one of the most popular debutantes of London society. She could have any man in England that she wanted, but only one appeals to her – the elusive bachelor that everyone is talking about. He would be her ultimate conquest, something to preen about for years to come. The only problem is that he thinks she's just another empty-headed daughter of a viscount. And try as she might, she can't convince him otherwise. Thankfully, she has always been quick witted, so she quickly conceives a plan.  He thought she was just like the rest…Donovan Wainwright, Duke of Windwood, is a physically and emotionally battle-scared war hero. He knows his duty to society the way he knew his duty to his country, but that doesn't mean he's going to fall prey to the first simpering lady who tries to gain his attention. While he might admit that Emary is appealing, she is far too vain for his tastes and he's just not interested. One proposal makes all the difference.It isn't until Emary boldly offers him a proposal – which he foolishly accepts – that the tide abruptly turns. All at once, the woman Donovan wishes to avoid becomes the one he can't live without.