Christmas Bride / Mary Balogh 260 p. Christmas stories A Partridge in A Pear Tree December Reading Challenge

Mary Balogh turns to Christmas for the setting of this sensuous Regency-era romance about the very wealthy Edgar Downes (of the merchant class) courting a titled lady.  There are many single ladies still in London after the season, all just too young.  Edgar's eye is caught by the widow Lady Stapleton.  He is not in her class but she is intrigued by him.  Marriage is not in her plans, just a dalliance.  However it is Christmas and stranger things do happen.