Once upon a time, Alexandra Grace Huntington believed in fairy tales. She oohed and aahed over gowns from Courtauld’s, never wore black lest in mourning, always minded her social graces, and never, ever indulged her inner bluestocking. Now, her life is a mess. She’s home alone for the holidays, alone, no siblings, no friends, and not a shred of pride remaining. But that’s all well and good, so far as Alex is concerned, because everything she once knew was all wrong. When she’s unexpectedly invited to celebrate one last holiday with her best friend, she can’t accept quickly enough...only, how does one comport oneself after scandal rocks one's life?

Benjamin W. Wentworth III, the seventh Earl of Highbury, has been through his own travails. He drove his family to ruin, and now, after spending weeks in debtor’s prison because of Alexandra Huntington's father, and coming shockingly close to losing his life and endangering his sister, he realizes that all that glitters is simply not gold. The last thing he desires is to saddle himself with a woman like Alexandra, with whom he once shared a passion for the Season. Ben would rather choke himself with a silk cravat than to endure an instant with someone so vain, so self-indulgent, so giddy and witless. He but wishes his sister would leave off with the holiday matchmaking—didn't she realize how much he has changed?

When Lexie arrives to celebrate one last holiday before his sister leaves for Meridian, it is all Ben can do to avoid the empty-headed chit. Unfortunately, his sister and her friends have festooned the entire house with mistletoe, and to make matters worse, Lexie appears to have become someone else entirely.

Can a change of life and heart lead to a second chance for childhood sweethearts?

Please note: This title was previously published as The Art of Kissing Beneath the Mistletoe.