The Beguilement of Lady Eustacia Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens - 3.5 stars

[Theresa]

Stacie is in her mid-20's, wealthy, established in the haut ton and is dead set against marriage, having witnessed first hand in her parents just how bad a marriage can be. Stacie is also the spitting image of her mother who was a beautiful but manipulative evil bitch, and since everyone says she's just like her mother, Stacie refuses to ever place herself in a position to hurt a husband and children by her actions. Instead, Stacie takes her passion for classical music and sets out to help gifted British musicians to command international soloist status by showcasing them in carefully orchestrated musical evenings. But to assure attendance by the members of the haute ton, she needs a draw, to dangle something to lure them in.

Thus enters Frederick, Marquess of Aylesbury. Frederick is a gifted pianist and composer but notoriously reticent and reclusive. He's not performed in public in over 10 years (reasons are a spoiler so you have to read the book). Stacie seeks a meeting with Frederick, determined to persuade him to play at her event. Naturally they strike sparks off each other, and as their mutual dedication to music draws them closer, romance develops but so does danger to their lives.

I enjoyed this, the background of British classical musicians in 1844 being of great interest to me. I liked the characters. The danger plot was one that has been trod many times before but brought a nice bit of excitement and mystery in the last third of the book.