Night Fire — Catherine Coulter

ONLY HIS BURNING LOVE COULD SAVE HER

Trapped into a loveless marriage, Arielle Leslie knew a life of shame and degradation. Even after the death of her brutal husband, she was unable to free herself from the shackles of humiliation. Only Burke Drummond's love could save her... if she let it. But as his passion blazed, his patience wore thin... and Arielle risked a future as terrifying as her past...

Arielle Leslie is a sixteen-year-old forced to wed Paisley Cochran, a sadistic old man who abuses her. When he dies, Ariel believes herself to finally be free. But she's not. Burke Drummond, Earl of Ravensworth, is a young man she worshiped three years before. He has recently returned from the war, and he wants her.

HE SAW HER. SHE WAS RIDING A CHESTNUT MARE AND SHE WAS LAUGHING.

He waited for her to notice him. When she did, she waived to him, calling out in her pure sweet voice. 'How do you do? Are you the new earl?' She cantered toward him, coming to a graceful halt. She looked down at him and smiled, extending a gloved hand. 'I am Arielle Leslie, my lord.'

'And I am Burke Drummond.' She dismounted. It was when she was standing in front of him, looking up at him full in the face that he saw that she was beautiful. But it wasn't her beauty that was making him feel so odd. It was something else about her, and he could feel his heart pound in slow, steady strokes, feel something change deep inside himself. He was staring at her but he couldn't help himself. He wanted her.