Silent Melody

Beautiful, privileged, and deaf, Lady Emily Marlowe is betrothed to a man who sees her only as a pretty possession, until reckless Lord Ashley Kendrick, the source of her childhood fantasies, returns from India to reignite her dreams of love. Original."

Once again Mary Balogh has written a poignant romance that will be long remembered for its originality and great beauty. In this unusual story, Lady Emily has been deaf and mute since early childhood. She has been cared for and is well loved by a family who nurtures her independence and doesn't make her feel inadequate because of her disability. Because Emmy's sister and brother-in-law want her to experience life to its fullest, they assist her in finding a good marriage partner. But Emmy wants to marry for love; she doesn't want to be a beautiful silent partner to a man who doesn't care to know who she really is. Unfortunately, the man Emmy loves married another woman long ago. When Ashley arrives from India after eight years as a widow, Emmy finds she loves him too much to accept his proposal. She wants him to marry her for love--not because he feels a sense of responsibility for her.