The second: find a way to preserve their love without losing their lives. The first challenge: escape their prison. When Will learns of his friend’s sacrifice, he also discovers that what he feels for Davy is stronger and deeper than friendship. To protect the man he loves, David Archer compromises himself-trading his honor and his body for Marshall’s safety. While others spend shore leave carousing with willing wenches, Marshall is more likely to be curled up with a navigation text.Ĭaptured by accident when their Captain is abducted, Archer and Marshall become pawns in a renegade pirate’s sadistic game. For a young Englishman in 1796, the Navy is a way to move beyond his humble origins and seek a chance at greatness. William Marshall has never given much thought to any feelings beyond duty, loyalty, and honor.

Davy realizes that Will would probably not shoot him if he expressed his feelings, but their affectionate friendship would surely end, once Marshall learned of Archer’s “unnatural” yearnings. Not only is Will the son of a minister, his first act aboard ship was to take pistol in hand and dispatch an older midshipman who made offensive advances. Publisher’s blurb: Even as he finds himself falling in love with his shipmate, William Marshall, David Archer realizes it is a hopeless passion. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title.An officer, a gentleman… and a sodomite. After that, they face an even greater challenge-is their love strong enough to survive a clandestine life under the ever-present threat of the Navy's implacable Articles of War? Before the lovers can have any sort of life together, they must first escape. When David makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect the man he loves, the reason for it is clear and the passion that the men have denied for so long is realized for the first time. William struggles with his growing feelings for David and, try as he might to dismiss them, he can't. Thrown together in close quarters and wondering if they will survive, they're are faced with some difficult choices. Then, in a twist of fate, the two men are abducted by a ruthless pirate who finds pleasure in toying with his captives. The Royal Navy is his world, and in that world there is no room for anything as frivolous as romance. Afraid of losing the strong friendship that he has forged with William, he vows to never speak of or act on his desire, promising himself to take the secret to his grave.Īlthough William is young, his innate talent has allowed him to quickly rise above his humble background and gain a reputation as a promising officer. David is certain that his feelings, if expressed, would be met with revulsion. He is also hopelessly in love with his shipmate, Lt.

David Archer is an officer in His Majesty's Navy and a gentleman of Regency Society. It's 1796 and not only is love between men taboo, it is punishable by death.

Ransom by Lee Rowan