A Home for the Holidays — Joy Reed

Raised by her overprotective aunt and uncle, Lady Alexandra never had a peek at the world outside their rural estate. But fate, and influenza epidemic, and a clever fib were letting her slip away-temporarily-and take a position as governess to the widower Earl of Brentwood's little daughter. Pretending to be a servant was to be a lark, a harmless masquerade. She never expected the Earl to be so solemn, his luxurious mansion so somber, or his daughter so in need of a mother. Now, as the holidays neared, Alexandra was decking the halls with sparkling merriment. Soon snowflakes whirled, the Yule log burned, and the Earl was...flirting! First he stole a kiss; then he stole her heart. But with her aunt and uncle sure to uncover her ruse, Alexandra's happy season would soon be over. Now she needed a special Chrismtas gift: to keep what she had found-a home and family all her own.

Hero: Richard Brentwood, Earl of Barstock
Heroine: Lady Alexandra Elizabeth Manning DiMarco