Bobby Dazzler by Stephanie Patterson

For years, scandalous behavior has made Caelan Hennesy’s family an object of derision in polite society. Caelan, Cal to his friends, knows that the most important requirements for his bride will be impeccable breeding, a modest demeanor and to be completely scandal-free. At twenty-four, he meets the young woman of his dreams in a Paris museum and is completely captivated by her. Venetia Crawley is an intelligent and singular young beauty, refined enough to silence even the most virulent of society’s sticklers. With Venetia at his side, Cal believes he and his family can finally put the peerage’s taunts and jeers behind them.

Venetia has been raised to be everything the daughter of a peer should be. She is educated, well-read and has also studied music and ballet. Cal is the prince she’s always dreamed of finding and she is certain that if he loves her, he will overlook the fact that she is not a highborn member of society, but the lovechild of a duke and his commoner mistress. When her half-truths and lies of omission are suddenly revealed during a scandalous incident, a disillusioned and bitter Cal walks away, leaving Venetia unprotected and at the mercy of a ruthless enemy.

Nine years later Cal, now the Earl of Bainbridge, discovers that the famously bewitching and dazzling dancer at the Arcadian Theatre is none other than Venetia – still beautiful, still alluring; and leaving her behind is still his biggest regret. Dazzling Nettie Pomeroy claims she wants nothing to do with the man who walked away from her. She closed the door on Cal and on love years ago. However, neither of them can deny the passion they still feel for one another, or the love they still share. As Nettie and Cal try to fight their feelings, an enemy draws closer, determined to bring harm to people Cal cares about. Will he be able to protect the woman he refuses to surrender again, and can Nettie trust Cal enough to open her heart for a second chance at love?