I am looking for a book that was probably printed in the 80's, maybe early nineties. It was about a woman and her brother who traveled on a ship. It mentions something about her brother being raped or possibly giving himself to keep her protected until they reach there destination. I can't remember much about it. It was probably a regency or historical and it had at least 250- 350 pages. I thought the authors name was Judith something, but I am not certain.

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Could it be one of Judith E. French's old books?  I haven't researched her backlist all that thoroughly, but she seems a likely candidate.  Of course finding a detailed synopsis on a book that old isn't always that easy, but here's a list of her books at fantasticfiction: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/f/judith-e-french/

If it's one of hers, maybe you'll recognize a cover or something.