Jane Ramsay was thrilled to receive an invitation to spend a country Christmas with Nicholas, heir to Lord Goderich, who was - by his own proclamation - ready to settle down at last. Yet her hopes of a proposal fell flat. The house party was being held in honour of his angelic bride-to-be. Since it was high time Jane chose a husband and Nick's friend Pelham seemed as good as any, she accepted his attentions while avidly regarding Nick and his Incomparable as the most blatantly mismatch of the season. And if the jealousy in Nick's eyes weren't proof enough of his hidden affection for her, then his embrace under the kissing bough had surely upset everyone's best laid plans...