Only one thing is forbidden for the king and queen of London high society: each other.
Lady Cassiopeia’s life has been impeccably planned since childhood, when her father, the all-powerful Earl of Wescott, engaged her to a man she’s never met in order to secure himself an heir. As a loyal and undefiant daughter, Cass is forced to trudge through the London social season as the ton’s most desired bride—and forced to turn down all offers of marriage until her secret betrothal comes to light. Far more enamored with her music-composing pursuits than vapid balls and soirées, she should not find it too hard to fend off the herd of dowry-hungry bachelors.
But it might be much harder to deny one very persistent, alluring marquis.
Daniel Ascombe, Lord Farenham, is the ton’s greatest catch—on the bachelor side of matchmaking—thanks to his quick-witted charm, athletic excellence, and an inheritable dukedom. But he’s also a loyal friend, and as a favor to one of those friends, he promises to measure up Cass and make certain she’s not toying with her suitors. Even if doing so risks opening old wounds about a near-engagement gone awry.
The last thing Daniel expects to find is a funny and fascinatingly passionate woman hiding behind the mask of the ice princess. And the last thing Cass expects behind Daniel’s carefree air and disarming smiles is sincerity and vulnerability. But while the ton might place wagers on which of them will fall first, a much more dangerous game is being played in the background. Not only will Daniel and Cass have to defy the expectations laid upon them to get a chance at love—they’ll also have to compete against a tale of revenge that had unknowingly shaped their pasts and makes their fathers mortal enemies, hell-bent on separating the star-crossed lovers…
To Steal a Melody is a closed-door Regency Romance and a companion novel to The Girl Out of Time, although it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone with no knowledge of the main novel needed.
