As a caricaturist, Calliope Minton is never far from capturing nobility at their worst, and this may get her in trouble.  In order to further obtain material, she assumes the role of courtesan to one of London’s leading bachelors, James Trenton, Marquis of Angelford. James is enamored of her but senses that she is hiding something. What could it be? Already occupied with the mysterious Thomas Landes, the caricaturist who is bedeviling him, James does not need another mystery.

As the story develops,  Calliope’s friend, Stephen Chalmers, disappears and James promises to help her locate him. A note on Stephen’s stationery is left on Calliope’s doorstep demanding she “return the item they seek”. What is the item, and who are the people seeking it? 

MASQUERADING THE MARQUESS builds rapidly into a book well worth reading.  The characters are lifelike, and I could easily visualize the scenes as they unfolded. The events portrayed in the story appear to be based on real history.  This is an excellent debut for Anne Mallory!