A Christmastide Kiss by Lana Williams

Can a Christmastide kiss lead to love?
Frances Melbourne strives to overcome her shyness but fears she will soon be facing life as a spinster since the one chance she had for love slipped through her fingers. Making matters worse, her well-meaning father increases her dowry. Unwelcome suitors approach her at every turn and make planning a Christmas charity ball nearly impossible.

Thomas Sinclair left Her Majesty’s Navy wiser but not richer. After his heart is caught by the daughter of a wealthy man at a house party, he knows the only chance of winning her hand—and her father’s approval—is to seek his fortune in America.
He returns home for Christmas to tell Frances what’s in his heart and ask if she’ll wait for him. Yet how can he convince her that he truly cares for her and not her fortune? And when he learns of a dark side to the charity she’s working so hard to help, he fears the truth will end his chance to make her his.
Frances gathers her courage to make a bold move by sharing a Christmas kiss with Thomas. He’s everything she’s longed for but his news about the charity throws her careful plans in disarray, along with her heart.