In a nation ravaged by war, lives
change for all time...
An antebellum mansion is transformed
into a Confederate hospital when the Union Army invades Tennessee. Clarissa
Wakefield remains in her home against propriety to help nurse the wounded.
Philip Burke, a prisoner of war, barters his medical skill to avoid prison and
is placed in charge.
As opposing armies fight for
possession of Chattanooga, Philip and Clarissa wage their own personal battles.
Each is committed to another, though kept apart by the endless fighting. Amid
the blood and suffering, mutual attraction grows despite their best intentions.
Caught in the passions of love and
war, will they be faithful to their vows or listen to their hearts?
EXCERPT:
Unable to sleep but not
wishing to wake Polly, Clarissa finally pulled on a dressing gown and crept
down the stairs to the kitchen to get a glass of milk. The house was colder now
with the fireplace embers banked, and she shivered as she debated ringing for
one of the downstairs servants.
Nearing the library, Clarissa
heard voices and assumed Malcolm and his brother were in there. Curious to know
why they were still up at this late hour, she determinedly opened the door. For
a moment the two people on the sofa were unaware of her presence, grappling and
groaning crude obscenities, their half-naked bodies entangled. Then her shocked
gasp penetrated their absorption and Malcolm shoved the woman away and stood,
swaying slightly as he pulled his trousers together as best he could,
considering his turgid condition. Even in the shadows, she recognized Lydia's
maid.
"What the hell are you
doing here?" he snarled.
Her anger rising, Clarissa
shot back, "I might ask you the same thing!"
He wiped his mouth with the
back of one hand before he said with calculated coldness, "What I do is
none of your damned business."
"I am your wife,"
she reminded him evenly.