Betrothed against her will by an ambitious father, Lady Barbara Grandison was sailing from Regency England to join the fiancé she loathed when her ship was captured by an American vessel — and Barbara taken prisoner by its tawny-haired captain. Driven by a dark passion for revenge, Captain Trent refused to turn his ship from its westward course — despite Barbara's furious pleas. But Barbara's resistance to this ruthless, mocking man soon turned to wild longing as he awakened her proud beauty to the sweet ache of desire. And then fate again ripped Barbara's world apart, as the Americans were defeated by a savage pirate crew. Once more Barbara was held captive, this time by a man whose cruel lusts might separate her forever from the man she loved.