Love was not part of the plan when this marriage was arranged.Rhys Bettencourt, Baron Trevelaine, had every intention of avoiding his family's curse. An arranged marriage to a plain bluestocking of fortune should have ensured the provision of at least one heir. After all, it was beloved Bettencourt wives who always died in childbirth. But practical Catherine undermined her husband's scheme by stealing his heart. The only way for Rhys to protect her is to deny them both physical satisfaction, against his own desires.?Catherine Carruthers was content to wed for practical considerations and accept an arranged marriage to please her family. Two years later, though, Catherine is certain that her dashing aristocrat of a husband regrets his choice and that her marriage will never be more. She accepts an invitation to Rockmorton Manor for Christmas to decide whether to leave Rhys and return to her father's house. Upon arrival, though, Catherine discovers pages of sensual advice left in her room-as well as Rhys determined to convince her to stay. Can their marriage be saved??Armed with information and with little to lose, Catherine embarks upon a campaign of seduction that Rhys is powerless to resist-even as he fears for Catherine's fate if he surrenders to temptation. Caught between love and the wretched curse, can Rhys find a way to keep his cherished wife safely by his side? This edition includes the bonus epilogue, Upon a Midnight Clear.

The Christmas Conquest - The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction, #1

Fortune de virginia (la)

Fergus' heart was broken forever-until Leila tempted him to love again.Returning home to Scotland triumphant and entrusted with the precious relic of the Templars, Fergus is stunned to learn that his beloved Isobel has wed another man. He knows he will never love again, so a marriage of convenience to his friend and comrade, Leila, seems a fitting compromise. At least it will give Leila the security of a home and husband, even if it offers far less than Fergus desired of marriage.Leila fears her past will pursue her, compelling to return to her former life, until Fergus offers the ideal solution. She yearns for more than a practical match with the valiant Highlander, but hopes to win his heart before revealing the love she has kept secret from him. All might end well, if Fergus' former betrothed would just relinquish her hold upon him.When those who hunt the Templar treasure in Fergus' possession identify its location, both Fergus and Leila could lose far more than their marriage. Will they triumph over the past and trust each other in time to find happiness together?

The Crusader's Vow - The Champions of Saint Euphemia, #4

More cherished than gold are the Jewels of Kinfairlie, and only the worthiest may fight for their love…The Laird of Kinfairlie has unmarried sisters, each a gem in her own right. And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste.Lady Madeline’s heart is not for sale…especially not to a notorious outlaw like Rhys FitzHenry. Yet Madeline’s hand has been sold, to none other than this battle-weary warrior with a price on his head. A more dutiful maiden might cede to the Laird’s command and meekly accept her fate, but Madeline has never been obedient. She decides to run away, though she never dreams that Rhys will pursue her.She does not expect this taciturn man to woo her with fanciful stories, much less that each of his enthralling tales will reveal a scar upon his shielded soul. She never imagines that a man like Rhys could imperil her own heart while revealing so little of his own feelings. When Rhys’ past threatens his future, Madeline takes a leap of faith. She dares to believe him innocent—and risks her own life to pursue a passion more priceless than the rarest gem.

Lady Madeline (Jewels of Kinfairlie, #1)

The Champions of St. Euphemia Boxed Set includes all five medieval romances in this thrilling series by Claire Delacroix. You'll join the quest to deliver the treasure from Jerusalem to Paris in The Crusader's Bride. Gaston makes a marriage of convenience with Ysmaine, knowing he needs a son, but soon realizes how little he knows about his new wife. Does he dare to trust her? Can Ysmaine win the heart of her new husband?Follow Wulfe in The Crusader's Heart, after he encounters the courtesan Christina who refuses to be left behind in Venice. Maybe this alluring woman is exactly what the orphaned knight needs to reawaken his heart and convince him to solve the riddles of his past-can he build a future with Christina?Ride north to England with Bartholomew in The Crusader's Kiss, in his own quest to reclaim his stolen legacy and avenge his parents: little does he expect to find a woman leading a band of thieves in the forest, much less to pretend she is his wife to undermine the villain. Continue to Scotland with Fergus in The Crusader's Vow as he returns home after his military service only to find his betrothed has wed another man. A marriage of convenience with his friend and the disguised Saracen Leila seems a fitting compromise, but Leila will not be satisfied until she and Fergus are more than friends and even lovers: she wants to claim his heart for her own. The treasure finds its final sanctuary in Radegunde and Duncan's tale, The Crusader's Handfast, a May-December romance between Ysmaine's maid and Fergus' man-at-arms, a warrior who believes love has left him behind. Radegunde holds the secrets of her lady, but also proves to have the power to steal Duncan's heart. The Champions of St. Euphemia Boxed Set includes the complete series of five medieval romances in Claire Delacroix's sweeping historical series.

The Champions of St. Euphemia Boxed Set - The Champions of Saint Euphemia

The Laird of Kinfairlie has helped his sisters, each a gem in her own right, to find husbands. Now the laird himself seeks to wed, and pins his hopes on The Snow White Bride.  Lady Eleanor knows better than to dream of romance and love. Married twice to secure her father’s alliances, she has learned that she is desirable only for her fortune. When the Laird of Kinfairlie’s sisters ask her to wed their brother, Alexander, Eleanor agrees, expecting only to save herself from danger.  But Alexander is like no man she’s known before, a man more interested in courting her smile than her obedience, a man who values her counsel as much as her newly awakened passion…and a man unaware that Eleanor is the key to a fortune that could ensure the future of everything he holds dear.  Now, ruthless enemies will stop at nothing to secure Eleanor’s capture. Will she dare to trust her new husband before it’s too late for her, for Alexander, and for Kinfairlie?

Lady Eleonore (Jewels of Kinfairlie, #3)

Bartholomew burns to avenge the past-until Anna gives him a future.Bartholomew returns to England to avenge his parents and reclaim his stolen legacy, only to be challenged by a band of thieves in the woods of the estate that was once his home. He captures the bold leader, only to discover that she is a maiden in disguise, with the wit and audacity that seizes his attention. He suggests a mock marriage to gain access to the keep, never guessing the union will tempt them both to desire more-but can Bartholomew trust a woman who survives by deception?Anna wants only justice for the people of Haynesdale, no matter what the price, and does not welcome the interference of a foreign knight, however handsome he might be. Bartholomew could be a useful ally, if only she could be certain of his goals. Is this maddening and charming knight just using her to learn all she knows of the holding's history for some mysterious cause?When Bartholomew's identity as the lost heir of Haynesdale is revealed, he becomes the prey of those who destroyed his family. Can he and Anna forget their distrust and work together for the future of Haynesdale-and their dawning love?

The Crusader's Kiss - The Champions of Saint Euphemia, #3

Four magical medieval romances set in Scotland from the "Queen of Medieval Romance", in which true love wins the day against the immortal Fae. In The Renegade's Heart, Isabella is captivated by the knight who arrives at Kinfairlie to challenge her brother, little realizing that Murdoch has been chosen by the Fae queen to be her prize. Murdoch knows himself to be doomed so takes on the quest of avenging his family before he succumbs to the Fae charm, never realizing that intrepid Isabella holds the key to his release- and his barricaded heart. In The Highlander's Curse, Garrett is captivated by shy Annelise, the sole woman whose touch eases the torment of his Fae curse. Awakened by his touch, Annelise resolves to save the highlander she loves from enemies who would destroy him for their own gain - no matter what the price. In The Frost Maiden's Kiss, Malcolm returns home from his years abroad, wanting only to rebuild his family holding of Ravensmuir. Tormented by his choices, he sees little value in his life and trades it away, only to meet a pregnant serving woman who gives new purpose to his days and nights. Can Catriona save this wounded warrior from being the Fae's mortal tithe to Hell - or will she lose the man who has claimed her heart?In The Warrior's Prize, a bold maiden challenges a mercenary to change his life for the better, but when he takes her dare, Rafael both wins her love and puts himself in dire peril. Elizabeth fears her valiant warrior to be dead and surrenders herself to Fae captivity rather than live without him. Can Rafael save his beloved and seal the portal to the realm of the Fae forever?This digital bundle includes all four medieval Scottish romances in The True Love Brides series: The Renegade's Heart, The Highlander's Curse, The Frost Maiden's Kiss and The Warrior's Prize.

The True Love Brides Boxed Set - The True Love Brides

"France, 1114. 
Gabrielle de Perricault est prise au piège : pour la contraindre à se soumettre, le traître Philippe de Trevaine occupe son château et, surtout, séquestre son jeune fils depuis des jours. Prête à tout pour sauver son enfant des griffes de cet homme cruel, elle décide d'implorer l'aide d'Yves de Saint-Roux, illustre chevalier à la cour de Bourgogne. Et Gabrielle sait exactement comment convaincre le troublant guerrier de défendre sa cause : en lui offrant ce dont ses origines bâtardes le privent - un titre et des terres.  Aussi lui promet-elle, s'il réussit, de devenir elle-même son épouse et de le faire seigneur de Perricault.  Mais ce pont d'or a sa condition : car Gabrielle exige que le mariage ne soit jamais consommé...

Le glaive et le lys

She enchanted him with a kiss-but winning her love would demand all he possessed. After eight years abroad, Malcolm returns to Scotland with a fortune, a companion even more hardened than he and a determination to restore his inherited holding. But when that companion falls into peril, Malcolm seizes the chance to repay an old debt, trading his own soul for that of his doomed comrade. Knowing his days are limited and determined to leave a legacy of merit, Malcolm rebuilds Ravensmuir with all haste, though he fears he will never have an heir. A night of violence has left Catriona with no home and no faith in the honor of men. She expects little good from a visit to her lady's brother, Laird of Ravensmuir, a known mercenary. But the handsome laird challenges her expectations with his courtesy, his allure-and his unexpected proposal. Knowing it is her sole chance to ensure her child's future, Catriona dares to accept Malcolm's hand. She soon realizes that this warrior fights a battle of his own and that she holds the key to his salvation. Little does she realize her past is in hot pursuit, seeking to destroy all she holds dear-including the laird who has thawed the frost of her reluctant heart.

The Frost Maiden's Kiss - The True Love Brides, #3

More cherished than gold are the Jewels of Kinfairlie, and only the worthiest may fight for their love... The Laird of Kinfairlie has unmarried sisters, each a gem in her own right. And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste. Lady Madeline's heart is not for sale...especially not to a notorious outlaw like Rhys FitzHenry. Yet Madeline's hand has been sold, to none other than this battle-weary warrior with a price on his head. A more dutiful maiden might cede to the Laird's command and meekly accept her fate, but Madeline has never been obedient. She decides to run away, though she never dreams that Rhys will pursue her. She does not expect this taciturn man to woo her with fanciful stories, much less that each of his enthralling tales will reveal a scar upon his shielded soul. She never imagines that a man like Rhys could imperil her own heart while revealing so little of his own feelings. When Rhys' past threatens his future, Madeline takes a leap of faith. She dares to believe him innocent - and risks her own life to pursue a passion more priceless than the rarest gem. "A lyrical medieval romance!"-Publishers' Weekly

The Beauty Bride - The Jewels of Kinfairlie, #1

Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin - and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land - and the fiery countess - in a war of sweet seduction.Eglantine declared she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day - and make her his pagan bride. Each thought Kinbeath the prize the most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and hand of the woman he was born to possess.

The Countess - The Bride Quest, #4

Certain she will never wed for love, sworn to let no man possess her for her beauty alone, Jacqueline de Crevy has vowed to become a bride of God. But en route to the convent of Inveresbeinn, her party is ambushed by a knight, who snatches Jacqueline from her saddle and spirits her away with him. He is Angus MacGillivray - not the black-hearted ravisher she fears but a valiant man of honor who has returned to Scotland seeking justice.and revenge. Angus has come home from the Crusades to find his family murdered and his birthright seized. Sworn to reclaim his rightful lands, he has kidnapped the stepdaughter of Duncan, chieftain of Clan MacQuarrie - Angus's avowed enemy. But his lovely captive refuses to be the chattel - or ransom - of any man.until Jacqueline senses the yearning heart beneath Angus's embittered facade. In spite of himself, Angus has let this defiant beauty touch his very soul. And as desire flames between them, a lady fair and her battle-scarred knight will fight for a love that could banish all the sorrows of the past.

The Beauty - The Bride Quest, #5

More cherished than gold are the Jewels of Kinfairlie, and only the worthiest may fight for their love...The Laird of Kinfairlie has unmarried sisters, each a gem in her own right. And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste.  Like a heroine in an ancient tale, Vivienne waited in the highest chamber of Kinfairlie’s tower for her fated lover. In the darkness he came for her, cloaked and hooded so that she would not see his face. He loved her sweetly, thoroughly...and Vivienne knew she had met her destiny.  But in the morning light, her dream is shattered. Erik Sinclair of Blackleith is no romantic hero but a disinherited warrior who arranged her abduction to regain his own legacy. Outraged by Erik’s insistence that he needs her solely to beget a son, yet ensnared by the passion he awakens, Vivienne realizes that there is more merit in her taciturn spouse than he would admit. Erik is skeptical of her growing faith in his honor and her desire to recapture his stolen birthright...  Little does he suspect that his rare gem of a bride intends to capture his barricaded heart as well.  This version includes excerpts from THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE and THE LAST HIGHLANDER.

Livres