William Shirburn really isn't into Christmas - all that jingly tinselly presenty stuff makes him feel queasy. He'd prefer to spend it alone watching trash with his cat. But, there's an unwritten law that elderly people are not allowed to be left alone at Christmas, especially if they live in a vast old mansion that could be a gold-mine in the right hands - and William's relatives are very keen to ensure that Haseley House does end up in the right hands! Hilary Watlington intends to ignore Christmas altogether. With Daniel away, she won't have to conceal how desperately she still misses Ben. But widows aren't allowed to spend Christmas alone either and it sounds as if William might need her support. Frances, the nanny, was hoping for a break from spoilt little Tobias and his dreary parents, but now she finds they're off to stay with his eccentric grandfather in some spooky old house in the Cotswolds. Can Hilary possibly be starting to have feelings for another man? And does she know the whole truth about the attractive Oliver Leafield? Will Frances overcome the snobbery that threatens to separate her from Daniel? Or learn which of his relatives it is really safe to trust? And whose name is William going to put on the will-form that they're all so keen for him to complete? This particular family Christmas is going to change everybody's lives.