LADY JOANNA BENTLEY has been sold by her greedy guardian to a Turkish prince. Unwilling to reconcile herself to a life of sexual servitude in a harem, she begs God to give her the courage to risk her life for freedom. Left with no options but to accept the hand of the English rogue sent to rescue her, Joanna must use cunning and guile to gain her every desire.  

CAPTAIN RICHARD TREVANIAN is tired of living a lie. Ready to retire from his depraved career on the seven seas, he returns home to rebuild his crumbling castle on the Cornish coast. But a plea from a friend sends him out on one last adventure to save an English lady from her Topkapi Palace prison. Richard discovers it may be the most dangerous escapade yet...to his heart.

Bentley House, Mayfair
September 1781

   “Get your filthy hands off me.” Joanna gritted her teeth, kicked harder and tried to twist free of the black-hearted brute holding her prisoner. Her boot met with a chair—not the man for whom she’d aimed. A pair of hands attempted to corral her legs. Panic
crawled up her spine.
   Her bedside lamp hit the floor, glass shards skittered across the polished wood, oil fumes permeated the air.
   She dug her teeth into the hand over her mouth, gaining a moment to ground out, “Why?”
   “Well, well, Joanna.” Her step-uncle’s gruff voice stopped her struggles. “Surprising to find you have somewhat of a spine after all, though little help it does you.” His hand whipped dismissively through the air. “Gag and tie her up. It appears my niece isn't
anxious to meet her intended.”
   This couldn't be happening. “For the love of God, Uncle Horace, tell me why?”
   He turned back, his expression of utter contempt visible in the glow cast by the flickering hall light. “Your grandfather owed me more than the pittance he left. I'm taking my share.”
   “How could you expect to inherit something to which you have no right?” A sob of pure terror threatened to choke her.
   A jagged streak of lightning split the night sky through the bedchamber window, its earsplitting thunder vibrated within Joanna's breastbone. Her step-uncle started at the sudden noise.
   He wouldn't answer. He knew she was right. Horace Pecklewhite narrowed his bulging bloodshot eyes. “Her prince awaits. Take her
way.”