The Seduction of Mrs. Rutledge — Diane Whiteside

As children, wealthy Massachusetts scion Brett Rutledge and Venetia Davidson made a pledge to support each other through thick and thin. Now, Colonel Brett Rutledge has come to collect: If he does not take a bride, his father will see him removed from the army duty he prizes. Desperately needing security, Venetia accepts, though she has sworn never to fall in love lest she be destroyed like her mother. Now, Brett is determined to conquer Venetia's true affections using every carnal strategy at his disposal. For this is war of a sort, and victory lies in total surrender...