When Gowan Stoughton, Duke of Kinross, meets Lady Edith Gilchrist, he immediately decides to marry her. Since he isn't a man who wastes time, Gowan asks for her hand without delay. What he doesn't realize is that the quiet, dignified lady who he met at a ball isn't the real Lady Edith at all. Edie was ill at her debut ball, and the demure young lady who Gowan met was a shadow of the real Edie who is actually an opinionated young woman and an extremely talented cellist. After exchanging letters with his new fiancée, Gowan is convinced that he has chosen well. They see each other again, and after some witty banter and steamy kisses, the two quickly marry. Unfortunately, they do not immediately live happily ever after. Their road to happiness is a bumpy one.

Gowan believes that time is money, and he has structured his life so that he doesn't waste a moment. Edie wants more from Gowan than the time he has scheduled for them, and she assertively guards her music practice time. Gowan's autocratic style is a challenge for Edie. Their combined inexperience in the bedroom and some questionable advice from Edie's stepmother lead to rather disastrous results on their honeymoon. Gowan and Edie are both very much in love, but they find that their marriage isn't at all what they expected. When things become difficult, Edie does what any lady would do—-she locks herself in the tower. Gowan must find a way to convince his bride to leave her tower for him.

Regency romance aficionados will be delighted with a guest appearance from Julia Quinn's Smythe-Smiths. This fun detail is tucked into the story as a special treat for readers in the know.

ONCE UPON A TOWER is a passionate, sweet, and laugh-out-loud funny romance. This story is a perfect example of why Eloisa James is a must-read author for so many readers.

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