The Cynster families are spending Christmas at Casphairn Manor in Scotland. The story focuses on the budding romance between the tutor and the governess, with 4 teenaged cousins doing what they can to assist Daniel in capturing Clare's heart. Interesting legends, and the bedroom part waits until the end. ( )

A touch of the Lady, a few of the characters isolated by a storm and a romance between a tutor and a governess, this was setting up a lot of characters for the future and bridging the older generation and the younger. I enjoyed the romance and the characters but sometimes it felt very crowded. ( )

Excellent addition to the Cynster series, even though the main romance isn't between Cynsters, but two of their staff members. Daniel has long been drawn to Claire, but as a tutor whose charges are about to age out of his care, he hasn't felt in a position to support a wife. Just before Christmas, his employer asked him to stay on as his assistant in the antiquities business. This gives Daniel the impetus he needs to make his case to Claire. He's nervous because, while he believes his feelings are returned, he isn't positive.

Claire has sensed his feelings, and is not sure what to do. Her marriage was not the best, and left her not trusting men and what they say they want, nor her own feelings around them. Her mind tells her to say no to furthering their relationship, but her heart isn't listening.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between them. They had been friends before, as all the governesses and tutors are. Their exposure to the Cynsters, and seeing the obvious love among all the couples is a great example, and Daniel especially sees it as the model for what he wants. His first attempt to speak to Claire doesn't go that well, as she is spooked by her feelings. Her uncertainty leaves the door open for Daniel to do his best to persuade her. I loved the fact that he didn't just bulldoze over her fears, but addressed them, making her look at things in a different way. I loved seeing how his love helped her overcome them and see that happiness is possible for her after all.

One of the really fun things about the book was seeing the help that Daniel had along the way. He thought that he had hidden his feelings from others very well, but Cynsters are a remarkably observant family. I loved seeing the way that the group of teen girls, led by Louisa, made sure that both Daniel and Claire went on the green cutting expedition, and how the girls made it their mission to sneak some mistletoe into the mix. I loved seeing how they were helped along by the Dowager Duchess, and her interest in helping the couple. It was fun seeing how nervous Daniel and Claire were about telling their employers of their plans, and how stunned they were by what happened. The scene in the library was perfectly Cynster-like and I loved how it turned out.

Another main part of the book was the chance to get to know the next generation of Cynsters. The older kids, just reaching adulthood, were given the chance to show what they were made of during their Christmas Eve explorations. With it being their home turf, Lucilla and Marcus had the biggest roles to play. I especially enjoyed seeing Lucilla's actions during the crisis, and how her training as Lady-in-waiting was so critical. As with her parents' story, Scandal's Bride, the importance of the land around her is an integral part of who she is. The arrival of a neighbor to help foreshadows what looks to be in her future. I'm really looking forward to the next books in the series. ( )

This is the first book I have read about the Cynster family. Which I liked but I could tell I might have liked it more if I had read the prior novels or at least some of the prior novels. Then I would have established a relationship with the family and the children. There were just so many to try and keep straight in my head who was who. Although I did think that the romance between Daniel and Claire was sweet and charming. Besides all of the many characters, I did feel like the book was a bit too long. It seemed like scenes would go on and on and never really moved along at a steady pace. On the bright side, I thought the author built a nice world and backdrop for the book. ( )