CHAPTER ONE
1857The Star of India was sailing towards the coast of England.
Hugo, Earl of Ruven stood alone on deck. He was enjoying the sound of the sails flapping in the breeze and the fresh, salty air. His cabin was comfortable but very small. In sultry weather such as they had been having for the last few days, it became unbearably stuffy.
The sea breeze ruffled his thick, black hair.
Other passengers strolling along the deck, especially the ladies, turned to look at him as they passed.
He was a very handsome man. Tall and lean, his strong features were dark from his ten years in India. He had been an officer there with the Ninth regiment of foot.
Now he was sailing home to England.
The ladies longed to chat with him, but they had learned that the Earl liked to keep himself to h
