Every year for 30 years Lord Robert, the Viscount of Marchwood, throws a Christmas ball. But this year the Marchwood Christmas Ball holds extra importance.

His daughter, Lady Audrey, has just turned 18, and it is time for her to be introduced into society. It is Audrey's first, best, and potentially only chance of securing a husband. Especially seeing as there are rumors that the Marchwood money is running dry.

But headstrong Lady Audrey is not sure she wants a husband. Ever since her mother died she has been left to her own devices. Though she is very close to her father, it was often the servants she turned to for companionship, particularly Thomas, who, five years older than her, was always the person she depended on for conversation.

She is not ready to leave everything she knows, and the thought of abandoning her father breaks her heart. She is determined that only someone truly special will take her away from her home.

But with the ball centered on a masquerade theme, everyone is in disguise. And a handsome stranger threatens to steal Audrey's heart.

Could he hold the key to her heart?

And when she unmasks him will it be a good, or bad, Christmas Surprise?

A Christmas Surprise is a festive regency romance novella.

Emily Murdoch is a historian and novelist. She is also the author of a medieval romance series, and a Regency romance series.