Thief of Dreams
by Mary Balogh
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In an unusual twist of inheritance law, Cassandra Havelock becomes Countess of Worthing in her own right on her father's death, and sole owner of his grand home and vast estates and fortune. However, she is only twenty years old, and her well-meaning relatives and guardians rally around to protect her and run her property for her. Their primary concern is to help her make a brilliant match with a man who can take all the burden of managing her inheritance off her shoulders. But Cassandra is show more about to turn twenty-one, and she has planned a magnificent birthday ball to celebrate the end of her year of mourning and her independence. She intends to take full charge of her own life, and she can do that only if she remains single. Nigel Wetherby, Viscount Wroxley, has looked forward to the birthday ball quite as eagerly as Cassandra, though he has never met her, is quite unknown to her, and has not been invited. The occasion represents the fulfilment of all he has dreamed of for years. He introduces himself on the day of the ball as a dear friend of Cassandra's late father and she is delighted to invite him to the ball. It is soon obvious to her alarmed relatives, however, that this handsome, charming stranger, who is fast weaving a seductive spell about their charge, has some mysterious agenda of his own. Too late Cassandra realizes that in her naivete she may have been duped by a villain. And too late Nigel understands that in breaking her heart he may also be breaking his own. But…is it ever too late for love to play a hand in this game? show lessTags
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Despite being female, Cassandra inherits her father's estate and title, and revels in turning 21 and being free of her loving but controlling relatives who think she should be an empty-headed young woman and find a husband to run her estate. Her step-cousin, Robin, proposes himself for that role, but she loves him as a brother and knows her cousin Patience is in love with Robin. When Nigel, a mysterious viscount claiming to have been a friend of her father's, arrives in time for Cassandra's birthday ball, she is reluctantly swept off her feet.
Nigel has been planning his revenge for years. When he was 19, Cassandra's father befriended him and the framed him for theft, card cheating, and arranged that Nigel be transported to the colonies show more for 7 years, ensuring that no one knew he was titled. Nigel thought his family had abandoned him, but they had been fed lies about him and his letters were blocked. Nigel returned bitter but strong, and won Cassandra's father's estate in a card game. However, he did not want to hurt innocent Cassandra, and planned to make her fall in love and marry him, so she would not lose her home and everything she knew. It worked, but Cassandra is crushed when she learns the truth. She is torn between hearing that Nigel is a hardened criminal who tricked her into marriage, and seeing his caring, serious personality. Finally, just as Nigel gives up on their marriage because he believes he has ruined her life, Cassandra receives a letter from her great-great-grandfather with a tale of how he stole the title from his older twin brother, when the brother seemed to be irresponsible and unworthy. Every heir since has received the same letter, with the option of seeking out the rightful heirs, and they have not but the guilt has destroyed them. When Cassandra finally shows Nigel the letter, he realizes that the unreasoning enmity he found in her father was because he was the rightful heir. The succession will be united in their child. Cassandra persuades Nigel to open his heart to her and risk love.
A bit predictable, but a beautiful story of redemption! show less
Nigel has been planning his revenge for years. When he was 19, Cassandra's father befriended him and the framed him for theft, card cheating, and arranged that Nigel be transported to the colonies show more for 7 years, ensuring that no one knew he was titled. Nigel thought his family had abandoned him, but they had been fed lies about him and his letters were blocked. Nigel returned bitter but strong, and won Cassandra's father's estate in a card game. However, he did not want to hurt innocent Cassandra, and planned to make her fall in love and marry him, so she would not lose her home and everything she knew. It worked, but Cassandra is crushed when she learns the truth. She is torn between hearing that Nigel is a hardened criminal who tricked her into marriage, and seeing his caring, serious personality. Finally, just as Nigel gives up on their marriage because he believes he has ruined her life, Cassandra receives a letter from her great-great-grandfather with a tale of how he stole the title from his older twin brother, when the brother seemed to be irresponsible and unworthy. Every heir since has received the same letter, with the option of seeking out the rightful heirs, and they have not but the guilt has destroyed them. When Cassandra finally shows Nigel the letter, he realizes that the unreasoning enmity he found in her father was because he was the rightful heir. The succession will be united in their child. Cassandra persuades Nigel to open his heart to her and risk love.
A bit predictable, but a beautiful story of redemption! show less
4.5 stars
This book did not let up; a top-tier Balogh for me.
This book did not let up; a top-tier Balogh for me.
Have i actually read this one? I have no recollection whatsoever of it. I will have to rummage through my bookpiles.
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Author Information
173+ Works 44,741 Members
Mary Balogh was born in Swansea, Wales on March 24, 1944. She received a B.A. with honors from the University of Wales in 1965. From 1967 to 1988, she taught high school English in Saskatchewan, Canada, becoming principal of the school in 1982. Her first novel, A Masked Deception, was published in 1985 and she won the Romantic Times Award for best show more new Regency writer. Since then, she has written more than 60 novels and has received a lifetime achievement award for her work in the genre of historical romance. Her works include The Wood Nymph, Christmas Promise, The Plumed Bonnet, Famous Heroine, A Matter of Class, No Man's Mistress, More than a Mistress, One Night for Love, and Only a Kiss. Her title's Someone to Hold and Someone to Care made The New York Times Bestseller List. (Bowker Author Biography) Mary Balogh grew up in Wales. She later came to Canada to teach & there she began a second career as an author. (Publisher Provided) show less
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Thief of Dreams
- Original title
- Thief of Dreams
- Original publication date
- 1998-05
- People/Characters
- Cassandra Havelock; Nigel Wetherby; Lady Cassandra Havelock, Countess of Worthington
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Statistics
- Members
- 194
- Popularity
- 169,049
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.68)
- Languages
- English, German, Italian, Norwegian (Bokmål)
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 1
