Stephen Harding, Marquess of Rye was intrigued the moment he first saw her. His mother had requested that the American Negro Band led by Roland Seymour provide the entertainment for a musicale she was sponsoring, and he hadn't expected a woman to be a part of the band, especially one so young and beautiful. Of course, being a member of the aristocracy, he knew that there was nothing respectable he could offer her. After all, not only was she an American, she was also a Negro. Yet, once he watched her perform, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Against his better judgment, Stephen decided to pursue her even knowing that she was under the watchful eye of her father. After just one kiss, Stephen is determined to have her in his life as his mistress, even knowing that his offer will undermine her dream and ruin her standing in society.
Allegra Seymour is a gifted cello player. As a free American Negro, her family had traveled to England from America where slavery was still in full force, to find a better life. They were pleased that the Duke and Duchess of Stamford had commissioned them to play at their musicale. A chance encounter with the son of the duke, Stephen Harding the evening after her performance, awakened a forbidden passion between them. Allegra, however, is determined to pursue her dream of playing before the Queen despite the attraction she feels for Stephen. Knowing that her father wishes to find her a husband as soon as possible after their tour, Allegra is determined to resist Stephen's efforts of seduction and focus on her ultimate goal, even though to do so is a greater struggle than she had first realized.
