Lord Geoffrey, is recently returned from a plant hunting expedition for Kew Gardens that saw him discredit himself due to his inability to overcome seasickness. He desires to retire to a small house in Yorkshire and develop his hybrid roses. Normally a shy man, he attends the house party at Kilmeade Hall merely to please his sister-in-law.

Miss Grace Hastings, daughter of a well-known Kew Gardens benefactor, is only recently out of mourning for her mother. Her father accepts the invitation to Kilmeade Hall although he has only a passing acquaintance with the lord of the estate in Essex. Grace enjoys the country and is glad to leave snowy London behind her.

Will a baron who talks entirely too much, an opinionated lady’s maid and a fortune-hunting viscount help or hinder the path of true love? A deathbed wish brought Grace and Geoffrey to Kilmeade Hall. Now it is up to the magic of Christmas to bring two friends to the realization that their friendship has grown into so much more.