Blood Brothers (Delacroix)

The three sons of a notorious mercenary should never have met…but now that they are sworn allies, the Scottish Borders will never be the same… Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to seize the keep once promised to him, regardless of the price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution-he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim. But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and powerful rogue who stole everything from her-no matter how seductive his touch might be-and she does not share his compulsion to fight fair. Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys' match is a battle of wills. When passion flares, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they join forces to save the holding they each prize-and the unexpected love they value above all else?

Nothing could be further from Amaury de Vries' expectations than joining his half-brother's company of mercenaries, in the wilds of Scotland. A knight and a champion at the joust, he expected to inherit a holding - until the man he has known as his father revealed a terrible truth, and disavowed him. Left with nothing, Amaury rides to Kilderrick, where he loses his heart to a beautiful noblewoman in the forest. A practical man, he knows he has no right to court the lady, but when she is abducted, Amaury follows, determined to fulfill his knightly duty by aiding a damsel in distress. Elizabeth d'Acron has been a pawn and a prize, pursued for her father's wealthy holding, and wants only to be desired for herself. Seized again, she vows she will surrender to no man - even the handsome knight who comes to her rescue. And truly, there could be no one more vexing than this confident yet inscrutable man, so concerned with duty that he could be wrought of stone. But Elizabeth soon learns that she can trust Amaury to defend her at any cost. She does not expect the seductive fire, awakened by his touch, much less his conquest of her wary heart - but has she fallen in love with a man whose affections are already claimed? Snared between duty and passion, Amaury finds himself beguiled by the lady who challenges his every expectation, but knows he has little to offer her. But when Elizabeth is threatened by a former suitor who will not be refused, Amaury risks his all in her defense, hoping it will be enough. But can he intervene in time? And will love alone convince Elizabeth to place her hand in his for all time?