The Flame and the Fire Author:Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Set in 18th century England and the American colonies, this is the story of Heather Simmons, an innocent English beauty, and her tempestuous romance with wealthy Yankee captain Brandon Birmingham. Heather Simmons, the orphaned beauty of a wealthy London family, is now no more than a housemaid to her cruel guardian, Aunt Fanny. — When her aunt's ... more »brother, William Court, offers to escort her to London to teach at a finishing school, she welcomes the opportunity to escape her life of poverty. But, jpon their arrival, her lusty custodian attacks her and, in a violent struggle, Heather accidentally kills him and flees unknowingly down to the squalid Londin dockside. There, she is captured by two sailors, who drag her to their captain's ship for his pleasure. Thinking she is under arrest for her crime, she is too stunned to ward off the tall, muscular captain.
Captain Brandon Birmingham realizes, too late, that she is not what she seems. Her honor will be restored, but at a painful price. Her magistrate uncle, learning she is with child, coerces Brandon into marrying her, and the proud captain agrees, under one condition: Heather will enjoy all the formalities of marriage, but none of its pleasures. Even though he years to touch her, Brandon keeps his promise during their long voyange to his Carolina plantation, and after their arrival. Yet he hasn't touched another woman since that night, and when their son is born, a special bond deveops among all three.
But Louisa Wells, Brandon's spurned fiancee, burns with jealousy for his young bride and threatens to destroy any hope for their happiness. And when she discovers the dreadful crime Heather has been hiding from Brandon ever since the night they met, Brandon and Heather's unspoken love for each other will be tested to the limit.« less