If you still want me when I return, then well decide what happens. But to be clear, Lydia, I will never ask you to be my mistress. That is not something I will consider. Ever. I would never disgrace you by asking or dishonor you by making such an arrangement.
Lydia Abbington vows revenge for her best friends death, but time is a cruel mistress. Certain her best friend isnt at peace yet, Lydia struggles with the secrets shes been sworn to keep once that chance for revenge passes. Matters are only complicated when her friends brother returns after years at sea as a privateer. While shes attracted to the man who left when she was little more than a girl, shes uncertain she can trust him with the truth of his sisters death.
Keith MacNeil escaped his abusive father as soon as he was old enough to set sail. Unbeknownst to him, his sister bore the brunt of their fathers wrath. With his privateering days over, Keith is ready to retire the Blond Marauder moniker for a quiet life as the Duke of Dorset. However, those plans change when an elusive young woman keeps slipping into his library. He knows Lydia harbors secrets about his sister, but Keith must build her trust before shes ready to share the pain she shoulders.
Drawn away from home by the ever present and ominous East India Company, Keith must work with Lydias family to protect the smuggling ring that runs along Englands southern coast. When he returns to discover an unwanted suitor threatens to steal Lydia from Keith, hell stop at nothing to end his rivals claim. Once he sets his sights on making Lydia his, Keith swears to protect her at any cost. The Blond Marauder never surrendered at sea, and he wont surrender on land once Lydia places her trust in him.
