Alex Rawnsley was the dark, dashing rogue of Diana Covington's fantasies...until he literally swept her off her feet, swooping across the ship's deck on a rope to rescue her from her evil abductor. But who will save the beautiful heiress from the bold stranger whose burning kisses inspire such unmaidenly thoughts? Rawnsley was merely living up to his rakish reputation when he captured lovely Diana and claimed her as his mistress. The Earl-in-disguise hides behind lurid tales of pillage and seduction in order to win vengeance, not love, and he has no intention of plundering her fiery innocence. Yet the mere thought of one passionate night with the defiant beauty is more tempt Alex to forget his sworn pledge to return her home -- untouched.