Synopsis:
To win a man’s heart, a woman must have the mind of a diplomat, a general, and Cleopatra, all in one.
Desperation has led Anne-Sophia Duncombe to a life of exile. Still, she is always just one mistake away from capture and a marriage she would rather die than endure. As a last resort to remain hidden from her former life, Sophia attempts a radical scheme; a life of humility and disguise.
Rumor has it Wilhelm Montegue, the Earl of Devon, is insane. A tormented war hero haunted by scandal, he is only tolerated because of his brilliant mind and swarthy good looks. His unmentionable “condition” which keeps him confined to his country home is also the source of his talent for composing music.
When a new housemaid is hired at Rougemont, Lord Devon is perplexed to find himself fascinated by her. He knows the exquisite beauty is keeping secrets but her siren’s voice draws him ever closer, and he can’t resist the intoxicating scent of danger surrounding her.
He bent his head over the keys, plunked out an unusual chord progression, then a lovely serenade came from the piano. No, more like a nocturne; sentimental, romantic, and lyrical. The melody pealed like a soprano voice, but the dark minor key stole its joy.
She listened, enraptured, as Wilhelm spun elegant, complex phrases. And not a note out of place, every chord logical, the harmony inventive—artistry and technique married.
She waited a few minutes after he finished before asking, “Is this one new?”
“Yes.”
A simple answer for the astounding revelation that he composed music in his head then played it without flaw.
“It’s beautiful, Wilhelm. Will you transcribe it for me?”
He smiled weakly, but she could see amusement—or was it pleasure—dancing in his eyes at her praise. “If you wish.”
She waited while he gathered manuscript paper and a pen then watched as his script flowed as lovely as his music. He titled the work: Her Voice, In Anger and Affection.
Unless she flattered herself, she guessed Wilhelm had given song to Sophia’s side of the argument with Aunt Louisa. If he had listened to her tone of voice and ignored her words, he would have heard just that in her inflection: anger and affection.
Author Bio:
Moriah Densley sees nothing odd at all about keeping both a violin case and a range bag stuffed with pistols in the back seat of her car. They hold up the stack of books in the middle, of course. She enjoys writing about Victorians, assassins, and geeks. Her muses are summoned by the smell of chocolate, usually at odd hours of the night. By day her alter ego is your friendly neighborhood music teacher. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband, four children, and two possibly brain-damaged cats. Published in historical and paranormal romance, Moriah has a Master’s degree in music, is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart finalist, 2012 National Reader’s Choice Award winner in historical romance and ’12 NRCA “Best First Book” finalist.
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