A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess by Sally Forbes

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Marquess is not as Frosty as the description would imply. This is a man so self absorbed in his own grief, he cannot function or ever be ready for his duties as a Duke when his father dies. His father arranges a marriage with the father of the woman who used to be a childhood friend of the Marquess. Both parties are distressed by this arrangement, but Lady Clara is willing to give it a go if she can just make it past the icy exterior of Julian. This story is written well, except for Julian's constant, "o my mother died" for 8 years of grief and "How can I love another?" Self pity in a man is not attractive. My question in this character flaw is what happens when someone else dies in his life. Does he spend another 8 years grieving? Where will Clara be when that happens? We do get the fairy tale ending as Clara's love for others extends to him and melts his icy heart.