'Tis the season of merriment and joy - but the prospect of having a guardian imposed on her leaves Lady Francine Fitz Hugh feeling distinctly un-merry. She'll just have to drive the crotchety old man away! Unfortunately, Lucien Kendall turns out to be tall, dark, and sinfully attractive. The heat in his eyes when he looks at her tells Fancy that he's not leaving anytime soon . . . and worse, she doesn't really want him to.

As his ward, Fancy is off-limits to Lucien - but her impudent charm, fierce loyalty, and lithe curves tempt him unbearably. He can't help but imagine teaching her the wicked ways of passion . . . and how her innocence might soothe his torment. When his dark past is inevitably revealed, though, the truth might destroy them both. In the season of love and goodwill, does he dare hope for a miracle?