Young, nubile Elizabeth Montgomery is too beautiful for her own good. Accosted by lust-struck males every time she appears in public, she is profoundly grateful when sea captain Benjamin Elliott saves her from a would-be ravisher. Her gratitude, however, turns to shock when Elliott himself seduces her and ruins her chances for an honorable marriage.
Sealed to the man in an arranged marriage, Elizabeth rides the surging tide of shock and denial, lust and love, as she is swept from the manicured gardens of England to the savage shores of Africa and the wilds of the New World, never quite sure which Captain Elliott is the man she loves.
Excerpts
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Elliott moved behind her and began to button the tiny buttons. While he did, one hand strayed across the expanse of bare skin still exposed. Elizabeth shuddered, unwilling to admit how his touch excited her.
“Done,” he said finally, and she moved quickly away from him. “I don’t suppose 1 could persuade you to stay?” he asked lightly.
“Not hardly.” she sniffed. “But you haven’t seen the last of me.”
“I certainly hope not,” he said meaningfully. He came to her side and took her arm. “Allow me to escort you out.”
“Thank you, but I’d rather do it myself, “ she said coolly, and walked arrogantly ahead of him. Out in the fresh air again, the bright sun blinded her momentarily. She stopped on deck to let her eyes become used to it, but Mr. Elliott bumped into her.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “The bright sun blinded me momentarily.” Fully recovered now, Elizabeth picked up her skirts and made her way back to her waiting carriage. She felt Elliott’s eyes on her as she walked, and they seemed to bore holes into her. Feeling angry and abused, she slashed at Trevor with her crop to wake him up and ordered him to drive her home.
At home, Elizabeth came brutally to terms with her condition. She felt threatened on every side, felt her independence and willful freedom crumbling all about her. In two days this man had destroyed all the security she had, except for her finances. That thought cheered her. She still had her father’s fortune behind her, although when she realized the rest of her life was a sham, it was a hollow victory.
She would have revenge, she decided. She would make him pay the piper now that he had danced on her virtue. Planning her actions carefully, she resolved to go to the Magistrate the next day.
