{"product_id":"9781629640105","title":"The Pirate's Desire","description":"\u003cp\u003eEngland, 1812\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeventeen-year-old Lady Lucinda wants her freedom back. But an orphaned young woman has no property rights in regency England; indeed, she has few rights at all. . .\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter Lucinda's father is killed in action, he leaves her under the guardianship of a former pirate, the devastatingly handsome Captain Riel Montclair. Riel is a barbaric rogue, however, as he demonstrates the very first evening he arrives. Montclair clearly has a will of iron, which frustrates Lucinda beyond measure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEven more distressing, once Riel signs the legal papers with the solicitor, he will not only dictate her choice of a husband, but he'll financially control her centuries old estate, Ravensbrook, too. Neither idea sits well with Lucinda, who has ruled her own life for the past two years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIs Montclair planning to plunder Ravensbrook for his own personal gain? Additionally, Lucinda overhears him telling his disreputable-looking first mate that if the British Navy becomes suspicious of his past, he will lose his ship. What dastardly secret is he hiding?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow could her tender-hearted father have come to trust such a dangerous man? Lucinda must protect Ravensbrook, and her future, at all costs. But how far is she willing to go to get Riel out of her life, and ensure her freedom?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcerpt: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLUCINDA PEEKED INTO THE HALL.\u003c\/em\u003e All clear. Good. No servants, and no Riel Montclair. Dashing on light, quick toes, she gained the door to the sumptuous guest quarters. The door handle felt smooth and cold beneath her clammy hand. Trepidation pounded in her heart. What if he was inside? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe isn't. Stop being foolish.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeart fluttering like a bird, Lucinda opened the door and slipped inside. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe letter. Where was it? She must find it, and quickly, for he could return at any moment. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLucinda swiftly checked his sea bag. Nothing there. Feeling a little warm, she regained her feet and scanned the room. Where might he have put the letter? Provided it wasn't tucked in his jacket this very moment. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bed. She knelt and peered under it. Nothing there, either. Lucinda gripped the mattress with two hands and shoved it up with all of her strength. Her fingers fluttered, searching...searching... They brushed paper. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpirit soaring with elation, she snatched out the folded parchment. Sure enough, Father's flowing script read, \"Mr. Chase.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe'd found it. Lucinda sat back on her heels in triumph. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA red wax seal secured it, as Riel had said. Now that she'd found it, should she read it? Or quickly destroy it? \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small click sounded at the door. Lucinda's pulse exploded in fright, and she whipped a glance over her shoulder. Riel! Sure enough, the door knob turned. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith horrified, shaking fingers she shoved the letter into her bodice, trying to work it down so he couldn't see...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \"Lucy.\" Displeasure thundered in the deep voice. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe sprang to her feet, still turned away from him, struggling to fix her bodice. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA hard hand jerked her around to face him. \"Why are you in my room?\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \"I...I came to see that all is to your satisfaction...\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlarmingly, his dark, pirate eyes fell to her bodice, still askew. Worse, a small corner of the parchment peeked out. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Diamond Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47042368667888,"sku":"9781629640105","price":11.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781629640105_p0.jpg?v=1763871481","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781629640105","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}