Midnight Heiress — Kate Frederick

SHE HAD INHERITED A LEGACY OF TERROR!

As a child, Barbara dreamed that someday she would marry a rich man, a nobleman, a prince who would sweep her away from her dreary life as the ward of her eccentric Aunt Martha. But as a young woman, she knew that without beauty and resources, she was destined for a life of genteel servitude. Then her aunt died, leaving Barbara her entire fortune. There was one stipulation: Barbara must marry the bastard son that Martha had never acknowledged-tall, darkly handsome Richard Goodall. Suddenly it seemed that her girlhood dreams were coming true...At High Place, Richard Goodall's island plantation. Barbara found a strange and sinister new world. Her enigmatic husband was tormented by the secrets of the past - secrets which she seemed to disturb by her very presence. Secrets which the Goodall family would go to any lengths to protect. What evil purpose had Aunt Martha had in trapping her here? And how long could Barbara hope to survive as the Midnight Heiress

CLAIMED BY PASSION

“What do you want?” My heart, already knocking against my ribs, tumbled over itself.
“To make love to my wife,” he said.
He stared down at me. I caught the gleam of his eyes.
“You're…drunk,” I cried.
“I'm stone-cold sober,” he said.
His eyes raked over me. I wanted to call out for help, but my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth. He lifted me in his arms. I beat at his chest, without effect. His arms were strong and he held me firmly against him. Then he set me down on the bed and a moment later I felt the weight of his body press down on mine.
I twisted and kicked, bit and cried, to no avail. His strength overpowered mine. His mouth stifled my cries. His hands roved over me, everywhere, weakening my resistance.
Suddenly my treacherous body began to revel in the sensations he aroused, and almost without my realizing it my arms entwined themselves around his neck…