Ten years since the tragic loss of his young wife and infant son, Dawson Randolph is convinced love and marriage is a fool’s game and resents being pardon to his brother’s hidden engagement. Damned by his instant attraction and his own growing desire, Dawson vows to befriend her against his better judgment. Determined to bring her happiness in a time of fear and uncertainty, Dawson puts aside his animosity to become her confidant, only to realize Catherine holds the key to his heart. When tragedy strikes at sea, Catherine’s guilt pushes Dawson to the fringes of her life as madness consumes her.
Can his love save her before she drowns in her own grief? Or is he doomed to love her from a distance, always in the shadow of her love for his dead brother?
As they walked
along, Dawson caught the aroma of roses on the wind, though none blossomed in
the yard yet. He concluded Catherine’s hair smelled of roses as he inhaled the
heady floral scent. The dusky twilight made her skin glow and softened her
features with a pink radiance.
It became obvious then why Nathaniel
thought himself so in love with Catherine and why he wanted her all to himself
for a lifetime. Her beauty even stole Dawson’s breath away. He could see how
months in her company might leave his brother determined to stake his claim on
her, but he had no doubt it was a desire driven by physical needs rather than
having anything to do with the heart.
“I understand you and my brother grew very
close aboard the Lady Hannah.” He lowered his voice and offered this comment to
start the conversation once they were no longer within earshot of her
grandparents.
“You’ve talked to Nathaniel?” Catherine
pinned him with her wide hopeful sapphire eyes full of excitement, her eyebrows
jumped in anticipation. Dawson paused at the giddiness in her tone. It seemed
almost innocent of the manipulation he felt sure she was capable of.
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