A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh

A love that cannot be bought or sold proves to be the greatest gift of all, in this heartwarming classic that demonstrates once again why New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh is among the most celebrated authors of historical romance.

Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions—especially when a couple seems as well matched as Randolph Pierce, Earl of Falloden, and his bride-to-be, Eleanor Transome. Ellie brings to the marriage a vast dowry, while Falloden, though distant, is handsome, tremendously desirable, and possessed of a title most young ladies can only dream of sharing.

Yet Ellie is not most young ladies. She knows that she must honor her dear father’s dying wish for her to wed the proud earl, but she dreads a lifetime in a union without love—and how can Falloden claim to love her when he married her only for her fortune? As Christmas descends upon the Falloden manor, the warmth of the season may yet melt away the trappings of duty and wealth, leaving behind only a man and a woman destined for each other’s arms

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 This book would have been perfect if not for a couple of things that bothered me very much. I didn't like that Ellie was so cold every time Randolph was around it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. When her father dies which is a very emotional scene but Ellie was just a cold statue no emotion at all. It was no wonder that Randolph didn't like her for awhile she showed no hint that she had feelings and wasn't a robot. I had to warm up to Ellie as did Randolph had to. I liked Randolph but he did one thing I didn't like at all and he never apologized for his actions on their wedding night he took Ellie very rough with no thought that she was a virgin. He didn't try to make sure she was prepared or give her time to adjust nor did he try to please her and all because she wasn't showing emotion. I really don't think that was the way to get her to open up to you all it did was make her not trust him even more. This isn't the first book I would recommend of Mary Balogh but it is a good read and gets better once Ellie drops the ice princess act.