THE EARL AND THE CORSAIR COUNTESS 1767 - The Straits of Gibraltar Lady Katherine Kinloch, the notorious sea captain, refuses to let anyone jeopardise her hard-won freedom; she survived captivity once, but she couldn't do it again. Reluctantly returning to England to claim her family's endangered estate for the sake of her daughter, Katherine unknowingly rescues celebrated naval captain James Warre...a powerful, virile man who represents the rigid society she despises. Regretting his role in her past, James is determined to be more than a ruthless, cold naval officer and will add his support to her fight for her inheritance. Katherine and her seduction are rapidly becoming his obsession. And the scorching attraction between them masks a secret that could force the two of them apart forever!