A Midnight Dance

Table of Contents

 

 

Praise for

 

“
A Midnight Dance
is a fun, spicy historical romp that’s sure to delight! A lovely twist on Cinderella . . . [A] deliciously dark hero and a heroine who’s more than a match for him!”

—Jennifer Ashley,
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author

 

“Wickedly passionate . . . [A] sensual treat.”

—Sylvia Day, national bestselling author

 

“Lila Dipasqua’s ‘Fiery Tale’ version of Cinderella sets the classic story ablaze . . . with a passionate, resourceful Cinderella and a wild and dashing Prince Charming.”

—Anna Campbell, award-winning author

 

 

“Lila DiPasqua’s lushly erotic writing is sophisticated, sensuous, and deeply romantic. If you love historical romance, this is an author to watch!”

—Elizabeth Hoyt,
New York Times
bestselling author

 

 

“The most luscious, sexy take on classic fairy tales I’ve ever read! The three heroes are delicious!”

—Cheryl Holt,
New York Times
bestselling author

 

“An erotically charged retelling of classic stories. Steamy yet sweet, DiPasqua expertly melds emotionally charged erotica with fantasy, love, and hope, leaving no doubt as to the happily-ever-after. These are not your mother’s fairy tales!”

—Kathryn Smith,
USA Today
bestselling author

 

“Lila DiPasqua brilliantly pens three unique stories filled with mirth, passion, and sinfully charming heroes.”

—
Romance Junkies

 

“A sinfully erotic collection of multilayered plots and characters that’s sure to please.”

—
Lovin’ Me Some Romance

 

Awakened by a Kiss
The Princess in His Bed
A Midnight Dance

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This book is an original publication of The Berkley Publishing Group.

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Copyright © 2011 by Lila DiPasqua.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

BERKLEY
^®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley Sensation trade paperback edition / August 2011

 

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

 

DiPasqua, Lila.

A midnight dance / Lila DiPasqua.—Berkley Sensation trade paperback ed.

p. cm.

ISBN : 978-1-101-53549-3

1. Fairy tales—Adaptations. I. Title. PS3604.I625M’.6—dc22

2011014129

 

 

 

 

 

Long before Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, there was a French writer by the name of Charles Perrault. He was the author of
The Tales of Mother Goose
, and started the beloved genre of fairy tales. He lived in seventeenth-century France during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Louis was a lusty king. His glittering court was as salacious as it was elegant.

During this most wicked time period, Perrault wrote stories that have delighted people for centuries:
Sleeping Beauty
,
Little Red Riding Hood
,
Puss in Boots
, and
Bluebeard
—to name a few.

The following is based on his most famous fairy tale of all . . .
Cinderella
.

Happy Reading!

 

Lila

 

“I have a plan!” Isabelle Laurent announced the moment she yanked Sabine inside the costume room at their father’s grand theater and slammed the door shut.

Elaborate costumes and colorful plumes, wigs, and props for the latest comedy,
The Foolish Wives
, filled the space. The very play that could be heard faintly, the actors’ voices seeping into the silence.

Sabine frowned. “What plan? What are we doing here?” Her ire was stirred. Mischief shone in her twin’s eyes. Sabine wanted no part of her sister’s scheme. Whatever it was. The play was almost over, and she wanted to spend the remaining time watching her dark-haired prince from behind the stage. The only place Father allowed them to be when at his comedies.

Unseen and out of the way.

Her Dark Prince was in attendance tonight. And it was all because of her lucky new shoes. Covered entirely in glass beading, Isabelle referred to them as “the glass slippers.” The last three times Sabine wore them, her Dark Prince had attended the play, her father’s theater drawing royalty and aristocracy alike.

Though he wasn’t really a prince, he was the firstborn son of the powerful and prominent Marquis de Blainville.

Jules de Moutier. He was nineteen.

And without a doubt, the finest male she’d ever seen in
all
her fifteen years.
And oh how exceptional he looked . . .
Tall. Beautiful. With dark hair. Mesmerizing dark eyes. And when he smiled or laughed—a rich masculine sound that was music to her ears—he had the most attractive dimples near his mouth that made her heart melt.

Always the center of attention, he had such commanding presence, drawing all eyes in the room to him. But he never noticed her. Never glanced her way. Not with so many silly females vying for his attention, all but giddy when they captured it.

Oh, but he’d definitely notice her next year, when she’d be introduced to society. And Sabine already knew what she’d wear—a golden-colored gown.

And of course, her lucky glass slippers.

She was counting the days. Had dreamed of their meeting at the ball. Their dance. The moment he’d declare his affections. And their first kiss. She was going to give him his best kiss ever! Better than any of the females she’d seen him kiss on those heart-sinking occasions, when he thought he wasn’t being observed.

She could barely stand the wait.

“I’m leaving.” Sabine turned, anxious to get back to Jules.

“Fine. Go. I’ll get close to the handsome Moutier brothers all on my own.”

That stopped Sabine dead in her tracks. Isabelle had a
tendre
for Jules’s younger brother, Luc. And a rash, impetuous nature. She adored her sister, loved her with all her heart. They couldn’t be any closer even though they were as different physically as they were in spirit.

“How are you going to do that?” She couldn’t stop herself from asking, despite being much more levelheaded and less adventuresome.

Isabelle smiled. “I’m going to slip out that door.” She pointed to the one at the opposite end of the room. “And run up the alley to the front of the theater. The audience is about to leave and I’m going to brush past Luc.”

Sabine’s mouth fell agape. “You’re not!”

Isabelle was now grinning. “I am.”

“Father will be furious.”

“Only if he finds out. You can stay, or you can come with me.” Isabelle blew her a kiss and bolted out the door.