In 1785 a runaway orphan joins a band of travelling players and, learning the tricks of their trade and of Madame Bonneville's child brothel, seeks the acceptance of the volatile, charming, mysterious showman, Jack.

    What right had this supercilious rake, Trevelyan de Villars, to incessantly force his attentions on her? Rebecca far preferred Trevelyan's charming friend, the noble Sir Peter Ward. Indeed, her dreams of handsome Sir Peter aimed straight for the altar!What Rebecca soon discovered duly horrified her. For her dear Sir Peter and the contemptible Trevelyan had formalized a bet--that Trevelyan could seduce the very proper widow within a month's time.Still, Trevelyan's attentions grew ever more passionate. And Rebecca found (to her horror!) that she thrilled to his touch. As her heart strove to resist this irresistible cad, she suddenly saw what he really was: A libertine no more--now at last and forever in love!

    Her beloved France had been seized by Revolution, and she, with no memory left of her past, was being taken to America, captive of the ship's captain!Liselle Brognier was told she owed her life to Captain Trenton Sinclair, but his outrageous claim that she was his wife bewildered her. Her only thought was escape.Yet even before the ship arrived in South Carolina, Liselle’s anxiety over her identity had given way to dreams of Trenton Sinclair. For in the arms of her handsome, sun-bronzed captain she trembled not with fear, but with desire. And in the enchanted loveliness of his southern plantation, she abandoned herself to the fervor of his kisses, and to the exquisite fantasies that could only be answered in the timeless passion of their love.