Book excerpt: When Sarah Gooding returned a valuable brooch to the elderly Dowager Countess of Densbury, she had no idea it would lead to a job as the lively woman's companion. Nor did she expect to admire the Dowager's youngest grandson so much, even though the difference in their stations means nothing will ever come of her daydreams. With two older brothers taking up the roles of heir and spare as well as his parents' attention, Randall Everard spent much of his youth with his beloved grandmother. Knowing he'll soon be moving away from his family estate and won't see as much of her, he particularly wants to make this Christmas special for the Dowager. As Sarah and Randall find themselves spending the holidays together with the Dowager, will their shared festivities lead to a bond that lasts beyond the Christmas season?