Sophia Dawson splashes into London society with one goal in
mind, marrying into the aristocracy. An ingenious Sophia
has invented her background as the daughter of a wealthy
Jamaican planter. If society ever learns she is the product
of a pirate and a prostitute, Sophia will be tossed out on
her ear. Her plans are progressing well as she has an earl
on the verge of proposing, until a man from her past
arrives -- former lover Captain James Hawkins.
Captain James Hawkins retired as the pirate "Black Hawk" to
rejoin society at the bequest of his sister, who has
married a duke. He attempts to smooth his rough edges, but
society does not respond and labels him the "Barbarian."
For his sister's sake, James tolerates the snubs, until he
bumps into his former Jamaican mistress. James has never
forgiven Sophia for deserting him without a word. When he
learns of her plans, revenge is all he desires.
Sophia left James because she was unable to tolerate the
stigma of being his mistress. It drives her desire to
conform and mold her personality to meet society's morés.
However, James sees the cost to Sophia as she smothers her
real self. With the right taunts, the real Sophia, hot-
blooded and reckless, emerges ready to expose James if he
betrays her.
Ms. Benedict pens a rousing tale of a reluctant pirate
trying to reform and his former love who desperately wants
respectability. Deft plotting with biting repartee makes
THE INFAMOUS ROGUE a superb read.
The daughter of a wealthy bandit, Sophia Dawson once lost
herself in the arms of Black Hawk, the most infamous
pirate ever to command the high seas. But now, determined
to put her sinful past behind her, she prepares to enter
society as the bride of a well-born nobleman who knows
nothing of her scandalous youth. All goes according to
plan until her ex-lover—now a respectable sea captain but
just as handsome and dangerous as ever—appears and once
more tempts her with desire.
From the moment he sees Sophia again, James Hawkins wants
only one thing: revenge. He'll see to it that the reckless
beauty pays for abandoning their heated affair. And so
begins a battle of wills that can only end in utter
ruin . . . or wicked surrender . . .