Can She Trust a Privateer?
Miss Harriet Chase has been in desperate financial straits since the closing of the Ladies' Academy where she taught. Marriage to Sir Percival would provide for her mother and younger brother, and give her the safe, stable life she craves. But Percy won't propose unless she has a dowry. The treasure left by her father before he died might provide it, but it's in Spain. A thief just stole Harriet's copy of the map. She has to go find the treasure now.
Half the treasure belongs to the heir of her father's friend, Viscount Sheffield. Rumors swirl around Sheffield like the capes of his greatcoat, that he's a privateer who's killed a dozen men and bedded over a hundred women. He has a ship and can take her to Spain, but can she trust him ... with her life, her virtue, her half of the treasure?
Nicholas, Viscount Sheffield, inherited nothing but the title and entailed estates; his father gave away everything else. Nick is eager to claim the treasure his father didn't want him to have, even if he has to bring this timid but tenacious woman with him. She has memorized what she thinks is the only copy of the treasure map.
As they follow clues, sailing from London to Spain to Portugal, they discover other hunters, not just the thief, are also racing to find the treasure. Amidst their adventures, Nick discovers the most important treasure is the woman at his side. But this journey has opened Harriet's eyes to a world of possibilities. Will she still want a staid life with Percy, or can Nick persuade her that he's the prize she wants?
