Summary

Lord Julian Caldicott is spending the winter holidays at the family seat, standing in for his ducal brother as manager of Yuletide merriment.

Lord Julian Caldicott is spending the winter holidays at the family seat, standing in for his ducal brother as manager of Yuletide merriment. Alas for his lordship, nothing is going as planned. Cranky relatives show up uninvited, family squabbles ensue, and Julian's annual case of the blue devils is worsening by the day.Julian decides to combat the mayhem and melancholia by anonymously spreading good cheer. He arranges a series of discreet gifts--for the village church, for his nephew, for Caldicott Hall's retired housekeeper, and others--but every time he attempts to play secret Father Christmas, an unknown benefactor upstages him with gifts of equal generosity. Who is Julian's competitor for top elf honors and why are they determined to make this Julian's worst Christmas ever? Julian vows to find out! (Kprt)