By the same token, when there is an attempt on his life, which also puts Beatrice in peril, he takes charge and shows that he is, at heart a brave and honorable man. Reynaud also suffers from posttraumatic stress and when he feels threatened he has flash backs and envisions himself to be back in the colonies fighting for his very survival. She thought she saw that passion in the eyes of the Reynaud in the portrait, however being confronted with this angry, bitter, sarcastic, and seemingly self obsessed man is, needless to say not what she expected. She wants passion in her life and to be loved. Beatrice is 'four and twenty', and while she has had suitors has never had an offer of marriage. She is determined to find out what has happened to the passionate young man whose vision in the portrait she has desired and dreamed of for many years. When he does awaken in 'his home' to find his father has passed 5 years previously and a 'usurper' (Uncle Reggie) has claimed the Earldom he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what is rightfully his.ĭespite her uncle's misgivings, Beatrice takes matters in hand and tends to Reynaud, nursing him back to health weathering his surly disposition and cutting sarcastic manner. Through sheer strength of will and determination to return to England, his family and his Earldom he survived unspeakable hardship and horror.

After enduring 7 years of captivity, slavery, torture and starvation he is a changed man from the young Aristocrat who bought his commission and left to serve and fight for Britain in the colonies. The same obsidian eyes that stare back at her from his portrait as a young man hanging in the room. It is Beatrice who recognizes the 'savage', lying on the parlor room floor, for before he passes out she glimpses his distinctive black eyes. Aubyn', the blood heir to the Blanchard name, monies and estates and thought dead when burned at the steak by Indians in the colonies 7 years previously. During a dull political tea being held at the Blanchard townhouse a seemingly insane man, raving in French with a facial tattoo and dangling earring staggers in and collapses amongst the proper bewigged gentlemen and their ladies.Īs it turns out the 'lunatic' is 'Reynaud St.

The year is 1765 and 'Beatrice Corning', a proper English lady lives with her 'Uncle Reggie', the Earl of Blanchard in a London townhouse where she assists as hostess and administrates the running of the household.

To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt