London, December 1843
Bah...humbug!
Philanthropist Bartholomew Fernsby is by no means a Scrooge, working as he does to distribute his wealth amongst the poor. But there is one trait he shares with the character in Charles Dickens' novel, A Christmas Carol. He hates Christmas.
God bless us, every one!
Lady Catherine Egerton adores the Yuletide, and she and her brother are traveling to London to deliver some seasonal cheer to one of the city's workhouses, and also purchase a copy of the newly published A Christmas Carol. Only a near accident at Euston Station brings a change of fortune when Kitty is saved by a handsome stranger?Mr Bartholomew Fernsby, her brother's dearest friend.
Reflect upon your present blessings?of which every man has many?not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
When the Egertons invite Bart to spend the festive season at their country estate, he's torn. He loathes all the merriment and mistletoe, and it's this time of year when he mourns his mother's passing. But the comfort of Lady Kitty's spirit, and the joy he sees in her eyes, are just too tempting to ignore...
Autorentext
Bestselling Historical romance author Katherine Bone has been passionate about history since she had the opportunity to travel to various Army bases, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals as an Army brat turned officer's wife. Now she lives in the south where she writes about rogues, rebels and rakes, aka pirates, lords, captains, duty, honor, and country and the happily-ever-afters every alpha male and damsel deserve.
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Klappentext
She's unconventional . . .
Lady Catherine "Kitty" Egerton leads a quiet life in the country entertaining one disappointing suitor after another. It isn't that she doesn't want to marry. She has plans to help those in need, and Christmas is just the time to do it. So when she's invited to London to visit Field Lane Ragged School, it's the opportunity she's been waiting for. But her father will only allow her to go if she agrees to spy on her brother and his elusive friend.
He's not who he says he is . . .
Bartholomew "Bart" Fernsby has hated Christmas ever since the untimely deaths of his parents and the family scandal that forced them to call a workhouse home. Bart is, of course, grateful to the kind man who took him in and gave him an education, lodging, food, and clothing-not to mention an inheritance. Hiding his past from the world and locking away his heart, Bart puts his newfound wealth to good use. In an effort to save other children from a similar fate, he enlists an old friend to help raise funds for a local school. But he never expected his friend's sister to be the one who makes all the difference-to his charitable endeavors and to his life.
Can one Christmas make their dreams come true?
Kitty's passion for Christmas both intrigues and terrifies Bart. But his past continually haunts him, threatening to take all that he's worked so hard to build, and so he pushes away the only woman who may understand and bring him peace.
Can Kitty's love free his troubled soul and mend his broken heart?