The English Ambassador was astonished to learn that the Mysterious Privateer Captain was the Marquis of Rueford; he had the advantage of high friends in international high places. He was a tough hard faced adventurer.  He had the look, and manner of a worldly man who was used to violence. Many people considered him a ruthless pirate and adventurer it was difficult to associate him as an aristocrat, the son of a legendary English duke. It was rumored that his real father was an exiled prince related to the late King of France; and had been a spy for the French and the English governments during the French and American Revolutions. He was an extremely, rich, and elusive man, whom many beautiful women found attractive. He was tired of countless, women chasing him, and trying to lead him into matrimony.  

The Marquis is a determined bachelor, who wants to stay unmarried. He finds women boring, and had never attempted to win any woman’s heart until he saw Rowena, a mysterious beauty who captured his heart. Love and passion is ignited in them in spite of danger, intrigue, and deception in a world caught up in a treacherous conflict between nations.

Patricia was inspired to write this book by Denise P, a math professor and good friend for over ten years For many years Pat had secretly written over 15 books, and hidden them in her bedroom before feeling encouraged enough to publish her books. One day her sister Lisa had came out excitedly saying Pat! This is a good book; later over the years other teachers told her that she was a good writer. Slowly Pat began to get self confidence. It was not until she met Denise P that she finally decided to try and publish her books.

Rowena made her way along the walls until she reached the bedroom. She entered her room, and took off her heavy clock. She went and took her bath, followed her usual routine, and went and got into her bed. She felt very tired, and fell asleep immediately. Rowena was with the Earl, they had met secretly every night for over two weeks, Rowena was so happy, and excited. She felt completely alive, more alive than she had felt in years. The Earl drove her back to the Marquis estate.  Rowena, he said, I insist that we must tell the Marquis about us. He kissed her gently on her cheeks; Rowena laughed, and kissed him on his cheeks. She had to stand on her tiptoes, towards his tall bended frame. He laughed down at her, and gave her a long hug. Then he continued to hold her, and stare at her. I have looked long, and far for you. I have been searching for you for years. Rowena smiled, and whispered; now we are finally joined together, as it should be.

The notorious Earl of Wexcoust gave her one last final hug. I insist that we tell him tomorrow about us. I will wait here to make sure you enter the house safely. I will stay here for two hours before I leave for my estate. If you change your mind about living with me. I will be waiting here. I will continue to do this until you tell the Marquis that you want to live with me forever. Rowena smiled happily, gave him one last kiss, and walked towards the Marquise house. She looked back from time to time to make sure that the Earl was waiting for her. To her relief he was, still watching her to make sure she was safe. He had done this for over two weeks. He had even taken her to meet his mother, Princess Alice, and the rest of his family. They had eaten dinner together every night. They had made her feel welcome, and loved. That was what was missing all my life she thought to herself. I finally belong to someone who really loves me as I am. She giggled to herself softly, and continued into the dark house. She did not notice anyone; she was so absorbed with her thoughts of the Earl, and his mother the Princess. She did her usual routine that she had done now for the past two weeks. She was very careful not to waken anyone, and made her way towards her bedroom. She hummed soon she would really have her own bedroom, and home. The Earl had promised her that his estate was her estate. Everything he owned was hers also.

Lady Rowena looked at the time, it was very late, and she had been late every night for over two weeks now. She looked carefully around to make sure that no one saw her. She had done as the Earl told her, to be careful, until she decided to tell the Duchess, and the Marquis, about them. The night was cool. She closed her hooded cloak tighter around her to hide her identity. She stepped into the side door, located under her bedroom, she slowly, and carefully walked towards her bedroom. She passed the Duchess room, tiptoeing trying to be quiet. She finally reached her room, and gave a sign of relief. She must be very careful.

She walked to her bath, took off her clothes and took a warm bath. She put on a warm heavy nightgown, and walked back into her bedroom and began to brush her hair. She pulled it back, and pinned it with her mother’s pearl bow. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on her door. She went to her door, wondering who it could be at this late hour. She opened it a little, startled to see the Marquis glaring down at her.  My lord-- she began, but he began in a rage to yell at her. His eyes frightened her; because she had never seen him so angry. His eyes were hard, and looked like glowing fires of death. Where have you been going! He demanded, why are you coming home, this time of night! I was told that you were meeting some Man, but fool that I am I did not believe it. I trusted you Rowena, believed your little lies about not wanting men’s attentions. My lord... began Rowena, again, I can explain. He replied, continuing in a rage, save your explanation! I saw you with my own two eyes.

You arrived here in the Earl of Wexcoust’s coach. I saw you kiss him.  My lord began Rowena again, you must let me explain. Save your explanations! He shouted you are like all women; you only care about money, and position. You fooled me into thinking that you were so pure, and different! Yet you sleep with the Earl of Wexcoust!  Startled, Rowena stepped back, the Marquis face was very angry, she was completely caught off guard. She looked at his face, noticing that he was extremely upset. He looked very grim; his eyes were burning with a hard sternness. Rowena! He demanded, I want an explanation! He stared down at her. Rowena was confused; she asked whatever are you talking about? He asked what have you been doing? where have you been?, the Marquis continued in a rage!, Rowena tried to explain, but he cut her off.

Do not lie to me Rowena! I saw you with the Earl. I saw him kiss you! I thought that you were different! I thought you weren’t the kind of women who sleeps with men for their wealth, and position. Why did you lie to me! He shouted, angry, you told me that you did not have any relations with men. I believed you; I thought you were pure, and innocent. Now I see that you are no different than any other women. Women who lust after a man for his money, and will do anything if a man has money, and a high position.      So my little pure angel, he said sneering you are corrupted by your new friends.

His voice was bitter; you made a complete fool of me. He continued in a rage, in spite of Rowena’s protests. Rowena was very distressed. She was not used to such behavior. My lord she began again, He rudely snapped, what is it! Walking towards her he shook her hard in spite of her cry of pain. He kept saying I thought that you were different. I could have seduced you, and taken advantage of you! But I did not because I respected you. His voice was bitter, have you been with your lover tonight? Rowena was speechless, He snarled like a lion, and grabbed her, he held her close to him, his jealously barely contained. He stepped back looking down at her confused, and frightened face, you seek a lover, do you? He looked her up and down. He pulled her close, his muscular arms felt like steel. He kissed her deeply, and long ignoring her muffled protests.

He said huskily, his voice mockingly, how is that my lady. She struggled in vain, and tried weakly to push him away. She was frightened, and appalled by his violence. She tried harder to push him away. He pushed her away very hard, almost causing her to fall. She tried to gain control of herself when he suddenly stepped close to her.

Grabbing her hard. He pulled her close, and kissed her hard. Rowena gasped, and tried to step back, her entire body trembling from the encounter. The Marquis kissed her long, and hard. You little fake, he almost growled, you played me to be a fool! I believed you to be pure, and innocent. Yet all of this time you play me for a fool. I could have taken you anytime, but I respected you, and adored you! I could have seduced you, and made you mine, and you trick me! You insult me by sleeping with my enemy! He flung her away from him. A sneering look upon his face. Don’t be dismayed my little lady, he said mocking, I will not take seconds, I shall not touch you, after the Earl of Wexcoust has satiated himself with you!  Rowena was gasping now outraged herself.

She slapped him hard on his face, spitting anger now herself. Why you inconsiderate, arrogant, bore! I am a lady; I am not like those whores you delight yourself with. How inconsiderate of you talking to me, and treating me as if I am some common prostitute. You did not give me a chance to explain.