But at a traveler’s inn, he encounters an unexpected and far more maddening foe: Sorrel Kendrick, a young lady who is strikingly pretty, shockingly outspoken, and entirely unimpressed with him. Indeed, Sorrel cannot believe the nerve of this gentleman, who rudely accuses her of theft and insults her feminine dignity. Doubly annoyed when they both end up at a party hosted by mutual friends, Philip and Sorrel privately declare war on one another. But Philip’s tactics, which range from flirting to indifference, soon backfire as he finds himself reluctantly enjoying Sorrel’s company; and, much to her dismay, Sorrel finds Philip’s odd manner to be increasingly endearing. In the midst of this waning war and growing attraction, Philip catches wind of the French spy he’s been tracking, and Sorrel inadvertently stumbles upon a crucial piece of the puzzle, making her indispensable to the mission. But can two proud hearts negotiate a ceasefire when cooperation matters most?

    Dukes, earls and brave ladies, all wrapped up like a present with a dangerous Christmas masquerade! Randolph Keening, the Earl of Keegain, is engaged to be married, and therein lies the problem. He does not love his intended bride, but he will honor his word, both to the lady and to his late father. When Miss Jane Bellevue traveled to Kennett Park for the Christmas holiday, she never expected to fall in love with her best friend’s brother. But from the moment Jane first locked eyes with Lord Keegain, she knew she was meant to be his. If only he was not already promised to the cold but beautiful, Lady Margret Fairfax. Lady Margret is everything Jane is not. Why would the earl notice her when he could have a proper lady? But there is more afoot at Kennett Park than a simple Christmas Ball. With a borrowed identity, during the Christmas Masquerade Jane runs afoul of a dangerous plot. Jane’s life may be in peril, but it is the loss of her heart that she fears the most. Trapped in the web of upper society that she does not understand, Jane must uncover what it is that truly makes a lady noble. Lord Keegain has always been an honorable man, but with a traitor in his own house everything has changed. Miss Bellevue is in danger and England is at stake. The earl is determined to bring the villains to justice, no matter the personal cost. He has given his vow to Lady Margret, but it is the lovely Jane Bellevue that holds his heart. Balancing love against honor, the intrepid pair must catch the culprits or risk losing their own happily ever after. Join Jane and Lord Keegain on this Heartfelt Christmas Romp.