Everyone knows that an Effington always getsher way ... but this time it's not going to be easy! Lady Elizabeth Effington simply could not suitably feel the joy of the Christmas season. Ten years had passed since she had boldly declared her love for Sir Nicholas Collingsworth. He rebuffed her and set out to seek his fortunes, while Elizabeth was left a woman scorned. Now, she discovers in horror that the inheritance she's managed beautifully was never hers to control. No, power over her finances lay in the hands of the last man she ever wants to see again: Nicholas! But running Elizabeth's life isn't part of Nick's plans. He's intrigued when he discovers that the frivolous and flighty girl he once knew has turned into a beautiful and capable woman. Nick vows to woo -- and win -- her, and while she seems unmoved by his fervent seduction, he swears he will not rest until she accepts that most precious gift of all -- the gift of love. Everyone knows that an Effington always getsher way ... but this time it's not going to be easy! Lady Elizabeth Effington simply could not suitably feel the joy of the Christmas season. Ten years had passed since she had boldly declared her love for Sir Nicholas Collingsworth. He rebuffed her and set out to seek his fortunes, while Elizabeth was left a woman scorned. Now, she discovers in horror that the inheritance she's managed beautifully was never hers to control. No, power over her finances lay in the hands of the last man she ever wants to see again: Nicholas! But running Elizabeth's life isn't part of Nick's plans. He's intrigued when he discovers that the frivolous and flighty girl he once knew has turned into a beautiful and capable woman. Nick vows to woo -- and win -- her, and while she seems unmoved by his fervent seduction, he swears he will not rest until she accepts that most precious gift of all -- the gift of love. #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was more fun than real life. She is the author of thirty-one novels, and her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Victoria lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her long-suffering husband and two dogs, in a house under endless renovation and never-ending chaos. A Visit from Sir Nicholas By Alexander, Victoria Avon Books ISBN: 0060517638 Chapter One Christmas Past December 1843 Affectionately Yours, Lizzie. Lady Elizabeth Effington stared at thewords she'd just written and grimaced. No. Affectionately was entirely too personal, and Lizzie too informal. He'd never called her Lizzie and shedoubted he'd start now. Indeed, with one signifi-cant exception, he'd never been anything otherthan completely proper with her. It was most annoying.She crossed out the line just as she hadthe previous three attempts. "That was truly wonderful." Behind her, heryounger sister, Juliana, sighed with heartfelt satisfaction. "I knew you would like it," Lizzie said absentlyand stared at the sheet of white velum lying on thedesk in front of her in the sitting room she sharedwith Jules. "It was so ... so ..." Jules thought for a moment."Wonderful." "Quite," Lizzie murmured and wrote WithSincere Best Wishes, Lady Elizabeth Effington . "No, more than wonderful. I daresay it's thebest story about Christmas -- no -- the best storyabout anything I have ever read." That wasn't right either. With Sincere BestWishes had an obligatory ring, as if one werewriting to an elderly relative one didn't particularlylike but was required to be pleasant tononetheless. Besides, while Lizzie might be toopersonal, Lady Elizabeth Effington was far andaway too formal for her purposes. She slashed apen stroke through the bothersome phrase. "In point of fact," Jules continued in a tonethat sounded far more like a literary critic than amere girl of sixteen years, "I think it's quite thebest story Mr. Dickens has written. Of thoseI've read, of course, but I do think I've read mostof his stories as he is possibly my favorite author.It's not as amusing as Nicholas Nickleby but a far better ending to my mind than The OldCuriosity Shop , although I do so love storiesabout girls having adventures." Jules paused."Even if Little Nell's were rather dreadful." "Yes, well, dying at the end of one's story doestend to make one's adventures a bit less thancheery," Lizzie said under her breath. With eternal friendship, Elizabeth. "I dislike books that don't end well. Mother'sbooks always end well. This one does too, in afashion, although it is something of a pity Scroogedid not discover the error of his ways until he was old. He would have had a rather wonderful life ifhe had married Belle. Don't you think so?" "Um hmm." Friendship was good. Not the least bit improper.And Elizabeth had the right tone. Perhaps... Lizzie sighed and crossed out her latesteffort. Why on earth was this so blasted diffi-cult? All she was trying to do was come up withan appr