A Serenade for the Severest Critic – Paperback

His praise ruined her reputation. Now he needs her help-and permission to cross her threshold.

The Hon. Cassandra Carrow has the finest soprano in London. She also knows what one carelessly chosen phrase can cost a woman.

Two years ago, a critic praised her “professional attack” at a charity concert. Within a week, her betrothed had broken their engagement. Since then, Cassandra has sung only in her mother’s music room-and reserved her sharpest contempt for the man who wrote that review.

Now he is asking to use the family library.

Mr. Adrian Charles, known to London’s musical readers as Diapason, has a formidable pen and a talent for finding fault. Preparing a grand new edition of the capital’s most beloved composition, he needs access to the Carrows’ books. Cassandra has every intention of making him regret it.

Then a crucial proof of the music’s 1788 dedication disappears from his father’s archive. A cruel caricature of Cassandra is pasted on her own railings. And what began as an unwelcome scholarly visit draws them both towards a scandal her family cannot afford to have exposed.

The man she blames for her disgrace may be the only person who can help her uncover the truth.

As autumn gives way to Advent, wary conversations among the music shelves become something neither expected. Adrian begins to understand the woman his review wounded. Cassandra discovers how much courage it takes to listen to an apology-and how dangerous it feels to hope again.

But with old secrets stirring and fresh ridicule at her door, can she trust the severest critic in London with the heart he has already hurt?

A Serenade for the Severest Critic is Book Three of The Ormond Square Duets: a warm, witty Regency romance featuring a music library at midnight, a family closing ranks, and a man searching at last for the right words.

A clean and wholesome romance with a gentle mystery, no explicit content, and a happy ending assured.