Christiana Carluke is an American divorcée on the run from her ex-husband, who intends to extort her for a fortune. She disappears to London, where she lives under an assumed name, venturing out only for charity work. When the private investigator hired by her ex-husband discovers her location, Christiana's plans for the Chelsea Christmas Bazaar are thrown into jeopardy.

Rafe Acton, a working-class consulting detective, has spent weeks trailing Mrs. Carluke, admiring her beauty, generosity, and indomitable spirit from the shadows. He meets her and agrees to give her through Christmas to finish her charity work and make plans for her new life abroad.

Opposites attract during the festive season as Rafe and Christiana work together to bring glad tidings and good cheer to those who need it most, while keeping one step ahead of her miserly ex-husband.