Sir Lucien Blakewell has decided to accept an invitation
from his cousin, Jeremy, to attend a house party during
the Christmas holidays. It's been many years since he
attended, but this year, he's at loose ends because
Trevor, the friend he used to sport about with, is a
newlywed and will be spending time with his wife. As
Lucien is travelling to the party, he's thinking about
Winnie Nightingale, the governess to Trevor's sisters.
He and Winnie have developed a friendship, and Lucien is
pondering taking the relationship further. He's very
surprised and delighted when he arrives to find that
Winnie and her sister have been invited as well to even
up the numbers. Though Winnie is a gentlewoman by birth,
she and her sister had to seek employment when they were
left without any inheritance. Both of these ladies are
very attractive, and their attendance causes some of the
ton biddies to be offended. One of the women is just a
snob, while another is a snob and a bully. She fancies
herself the ton leader in the little town, and threatens
to ruin Winnie's and Cordelia's reputations if they
engage the serious interest of any of the gentlemen
present, as she wants to snag a match for her daughter.
As if this drama weren't enough, a carriage accident
brings two uninvited guests to the party. Most
unfortunately, one of those guests is Lord Leaming, who
caused Winnie to leave her first governess position. He
was a young man, just up from university, and he wouldn't
leave Winnie alone. One night, he attempted to sneak
into Winnie's room and accost her. Her screams brought
the household to her room, and she saved herself, but
lost her job. Now he's up to his old tricks. Winnie
feels comfortable enough with Lucien to ask for his help,
and they agree to announce their engagement. Winnie
feels that it's fake, just to keep Leaming from bothering
her, but Lucien intends to make it real. After their
engagement is announced, accidents begin to happen to
Winnie.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS is a relatively short story (around
130 pages) but
it is chock full of romance, mystery, bullying, snobbery,
and a happy ever after. The hero, Lucien, is honorable
and likeable. He has no qualms about class difference,
and once he decides he wants to marry Winnie, he protects
her, and dares anyone to hurt her. Winnie is a bit
stubborn, willing to give up her chance at happiness in
order that Lucien not be burdened with an unequal
marriage. Still, her motives came from the heart, and I
like her, and was very happy to see her and Lucien agree
to marry.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS KISS is a quick,
enjoyable read, which neatly ties up all the loose ends,
and left me eager to find more by new-to-me author, Manda
Collins.
When Sir Lucien Blakemore arrives at his cousin’s estate for
a week long Christmas party, he’s shocked to see Miss
Winifred Nightingale among the other guests. Employed by his
neighbor back in Yorkshire, the governess with the lovely
eyes has always seemed off limits, but she’s visiting here
as a guest—and there’s nothing like a little mistletoe to
make the spirits bright…
Miss Winifred
Nightingale never dreamed a holiday visit with her sister
would lead to both ladies spending Christmas as the local
lord’s guests. But the big surprise is when she finds the
handsome Sir Lucien Blakemore staying there too. The
attraction between them is undeniable, but will an old
nemesis and a party guest bent on mischief make their first
kiss under the mistletoe their last?
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