Excerpt of Music For My Soul by Lauren Linwood

"Madeleine knew with certainty that the nobleman would
recognize her. They spent too much time in one another's
company for him not to know her upon first sight.

Madeleine groaned aloud. Where Sir Ashby was, she was
positive his friend, the brooding Lord Montayne, would soon
appear. She did not care to see that one face to face,
especially since he had been so angry at her when they parted.

She decided to skirt the crowd and make her way back to the
performance area. She would plead a sore throat and have
Farley allow her to take York's place in the play. Just as
she thought she'd made her way unseen, she heard shouts
headed her way.

"Stop, thief! Stop!"

The cutpurse ran by her swiftly, throwing a cursory glance
over his shoulder. She despised those who preyed upon
others' misfortune, and she was ready to see this shabby
scoundrel caught. Madeleine stepped out, ready to give chase
after the fellow when she was blind-sided, being thrown to
the ground, the wind knocked from her.

Who had attacked her? She looked up into the blinding summer
sun but could not see who stood above her. Then the shadow
moved, covering her face from the harsh light.

"Why if ‘tis not Lady Montayne," said a familiar voice. "And
where the hell is my favorite cloak?"