Lady Pippa Godfrey has suffered the most ruinous London Season. She escapes to her Somerset estate for a quiet Christmastide holiday with her family, away from society’s prying eyes. But before her parents can join her, a storm crashes down on Somerset to destroy any hope of Pippa’s white Christmas dream. The roads have flooded and travel is impossible, leaving her stranded and alone. But a … muddied, angry and devilishly handsome lord appears at her door demanding shelter.
Lucas Hartfeld, the Earl of Maddox, has been summoned by his parents, the Marquis and Marchioness of Bowmont, to attend a holiday party in the wilds of the country, far from his London townhouse. He suspects they command his attendance for far different reasons than a simple country party. When a storm strands his carriage, he’s forced to seek shelter at the only home for miles around, a local manor called Helton House.
When Lady Pippa is reluctant to admit him, he does what he’s been raised to do—demand she provide him and his servants with shelter until the storm passes. But the beautiful woman draws his interest far more than he’s willing to admit. Can Lucas find a way out of the predicament his parents are planning?
As Lady Pippa scrutinizes another arrogant, demanding lord, she is bombarded with memories of betrayals in her past. Can she forget those difficult life lessons to claim a Christmastide kiss from a perfect stranger?
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A wonderful start to a series that shows great promise
This is a wonderfully written start to a series that shows great promise. The plot is brilliantly thought out, and the characters beautifully portrayed with the strength to overcome their obstacles. This book would suit all those who love clean historical romances.
Two life-long friends are excited to be presented to society together, but what happens when one young woman suddenly becomes very jealous of her friend. Pippa can’t understand why her friend Natalie would say such terrible things about her and Pippa leaves London with scandal attached to her name. When a stranger shows up at her family home during the middle of a raging storm, she wants to deny him shelter, but her good manners overrule her first instinct and she invites him to spend the night.
Ms. McKnight does a good job of developing the relationship between Lucas and Pippa as she teased out Lucas’s back story. It was enjoyable watching their feelings grow for each other. I loved that Natalie got a bit of comeuppance at the end. Fans of sweet romance will definitely enjoy this story. Recommended.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
An unexpected visitor to her family estate whilst her family is away, leads to love for Lady Pippa and the final lifting of twenty years of guilt for Lord Lucas.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Pippa is embarrassed by Lady Natalie at musical recital ending their first season. Lady Natalie alludes to the crowed that Pippa and Mr. Giles the music instructor know each other in an improper way. When Pippa asks her Mother why Natalie would do such a thing. Her Mother tells her ” Friendship and jealousy often hold hands so tightly that one cannot distinguish between the pair.”
I think this sums up the problems with Pippa and Natalie, although it doesn’t explain why Natalie would wish to hurt her friend so deeply.
Lady Pippa has returned home for the Christmas season only to have an awful storm brewing outside making her parents late returning home. She really doesn’t mind as it gives her time to read and think. She has been invited to Lady Natalie’s three day party and isn’t sure she will attend. As it is a party to announce Natalie’s betrothal to the son of a Marques. Not ever having been kissed and having her reputation besmirched by Natalie she isn’t sure she wants anything to do with the house party. Besides the weather wouldn’t permit it anyway. She knows that legend says that if you are kissed under the Kissing bough then you will be wed by the next year. So that is her hope. That somehow she at least would have that.
Late one night there is an awful pounding on the front door and since she has let all the servants go to bed she answers, thinking it might be her parents returned. Only to find one of the handsomest men she has ever seen covered in mud and dripping wet. Demanding a room for the night. She isn’t particularly impressed when he tells her who he is as he is very loud and demanding. Lord Lucas isn’t impressed with her either at first. Other then of course as another conquest he might make.
They are forced to spend a couple days together and begin to care for one another or so Pippa thinks. Until Christmas day comes along and her parents are able to return home with Lady Natalie and her parents in tow and Pippa finds out that Lord Lucas is Natalie’s betrothed. He never said he was to be married. Braking her heart once again. Has Natalie won again? Will the Kiss under the kissing bough be enough for Pippa to find love before next year?
This is a good clean read and offers a range of emotions for Lady Pippa. I loved the interaction between her and Lord Lucas. Pippa is so sweet and innocent and Lucas is such a rake with a troubled past. I was glad to see them work out their differences and watching Lucas grow as a character made the story that much better.