A London heiress with a tart tongue. A country steward too busy for marriage. A dare like a kiss—surprising and dangerous.

Lady Georgiana Hunt, the ton's tartest heiress, loves cake and London but hates fortune hunters. Unfortunately, they love her. Or her money. They swarm like gnats until an unlikely partnership with her friend's brother-in-law sends them scattering. A fake courtship with the smoldering Josiah Evens, who is rarely in London, frees her from unwanted suitors without stealing her independence. But with no more suitors to fend off and an absentee fake betrothed, independence feels rather ... lonely.

Josiah Evans, the ton's most cheerful steward, loves cake and the country and has no time to marry. He's too busy bringing the life and joy missing since his mother's death back to his father's estate. But he can't resist a lady in need, especially the haughty and bold Lady Georgiana. He can find time to punch a fortune hunter or two during his infrequent trips to London if it makes her smile. And if that smile makes him wish for life outside of work, he'll... ignore it.

When a dare brings Georgian where she swore to never tread—a Christmas house party in the country—she must dodge mud and merry making. And help Josiah fend off a devilishly daring debutante with marriage on her mind. Two dares, uncountable kisses, and one snowed in midnight later, these independent opposites face a greater problem—falling in love.

This book was previously published in the holiday anthology Christmas Belles.