Reviewer Comments: Meredith Duran offers this novella set during the Christmas season in the Victorian era. This story is perfect for the holiday season because it centers on teaching and showing foreign diplomats how to have a real English Christmas. Ms. Duran offers her readers lots of information about the traditions of the holiday as well as some romance. Georgiana Trent is furious when her diplomat of a father leaves her to deal with the foreign dignitaries he has invited to the house to celebrate Christmas. She knows that it is her duty as his daughter to manage things and be his hostess, but since an important letter has also been stolen by one of the guests, she has a lot on her plate. The last thing that she needs is the man she fell in love with two years ago reappearing on her doorstep. Lucas Godwin is not thrilled to be commanded to find the missing letter at his superior’s house. Since he is already in England waiting to find out if he will inherit his late uncle’s title, Lucas has no other pressing matters of state to attend to. He is hesitant to be around the woman he fell for two years ago before learning that she thought him below her station and was horrified by his interest. Georgiana and Lucas obviously have chemistry. The sparks fly as soon as they are together again. We know the truth about what happened two years ago, at least what each of them view as the truth, and want them to figure it out quickly. Adding in the missing letter gives them a reason to spend time together and to figure out how they feel toward one another. This novella is a quick read and things move along quickly. The writing is not forced or contrived. There are no unnecessary stops along the way or detours that detract from the story being told. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Ms. Duran.
