The Caribean, 1767. With languid tropic, breezes caressintg herbreathtakingly beautiful face, Bettina Verlaine stood before the mast,sailing westward to fulfill a promise made by her father--but not by herheart -- marriage to a Count her eyes had never beheld. Then in a moment ofswashbuckling courgae, the pirate Tristan Matisse abducted her. He swept heraway and the spell of his passion was cast over her heart forever. But manydays--and fiery nights--must pass before their love could flower into thatfragile blossom a woman gives to only one man.