Simon St. Bride prepares to return to England with evidence
of Canadian corruption within the government. As a member
of the powerful and aristocratic St. Bride family, his
enemies are unable to murder him without severe
repercussions. Instead, Simon's nemesis traps him into
participating in a duel over the honor of his friend's
niece. The excitement Simon wished for when he escaped
England and left his loving family may now include his
untimely death. Banishing those morbid thoughts, Simon
meets his enemy, only to have the duel prematurely stopped.
His dear friend, dying of an accidental gunshot wound, begs
Simon to marry his niece, Jane.
After a deadly ocean crossing that took the life of her
foster mother and cousin, Jane Otterburn arrives in Canada
terrified that her uncle will reject her. He doesn't know
that her foster mother accepted her late husband's bastard
child into the family. Jane lies to her uncle and
masquerades as her cousin. Believing she's a wicked sinner,
Jane stays in the background refusing society's overtures.
When her uncle demands her marriage to the lofty Simon,
Jane panics, but accepts the hasty marriage.
Simon resents marrying a shopkeeper's daughter, knowing his
family will revolt at the idea. As he tries to sort his
feelings, Jane's inconsistent behavior gives him pause. His
instincts tell him she's hiding secrets, but before he can
confront her, his enemy strikes a near-fatal blow. Truth
and time work against Jane as she battles to save Simon and
their marriage.
Ms. Beverley continues her Company of Rogue series with THE
ROGUE'S RETURN. It's the first time she's used Canada as a
locale and with its historical detail of events, she gives
readers' much enjoyment. An added bonus is a secondary
character from previous books, Major Hal Beaumont, who
finally gets an answer from the love of his life.
After years in Canada, Simon St. Bride is ready to return
to England. But his plans are delayed by a duel and a
young woman he feels honor-bound to marry, knowing that
his family is unlikely to welcome her. For despite her
beauty and seeming innocence, Jane Otterburn is hesitant
to speak of her past. But when treachery strikes their
world, Simon and Jane must fight side-by-side-and they
discover a love beyond price and a passion beyond measure.