Going near mistletoe with a charming earl is dangerous…and so is falling in love with him.

Deemed a spinster, Olivia Lockwood has found a new purpose in life: to help her cousin Esther shine. A companion, a friend, and a chaperone, Olivia takes great care to help Esther navigate the often treacherous roads of society, and to see past the false charms of the earl, Lord Whitfield, who is bent on securing Esther’s hand—and dowry—in marriage. Olivia knows the heartbreak that flirtatious men can cause, so when Esther’s parents force her to attend the Christmas masquerade ball knowing Lord Whitfield will be in attendance, Olivia will stop at nothing to keep him away from her cousin...even if it means she must impersonate her.

Andrew Dawson, the Earl of Whitfield, cannot back down from a challenge, nor can he bear to disappoint his family. When his friend dares him to steal a kiss under the mistletoe, he sees no better choice than the woman his parents intend for him, Miss Esther Lockwood. His attempt, however, is greeted by a most unwilling miss, one with more pluck than he remembered seeing in Esther. Intrigued and hopeful, he chooses to spend the holidays at his country estate where he will have the chance to discover more about the woman he plans to marry. But when he finds himself drawn to her fiery cousin instead, he questions his ability to meet his family’s expectations.

As Olivia continues to hide her identity and heart, Lord Whitfield hides his true feelings. Torn between loyalty and desire, will they both claim love for themselves, or will they do as they have always done—leave it behind?