Published: Feb. 12, 2012
Words: 119,879 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465948076

Short description

Esmeraude is determined to marry for love - despite her parents' invitation of knights to vie for her hand. She devises a test for those men, and is soon convinced that the knight Bayard is destined to be her lover true. Bayard, however, believes love to be a dangerous whimsy - until Esmeraude claims his heart for her own. Will he risk all he holds dear for the prize of this maiden's heart?

Extended description

“I will not wed a man who thinks to own me.”

Furthermore, Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe declares that she alone will name the winner of her heart. To the knights gallant who ride from afar to do her bidding, she issues a challenge: a riddle that is both quest and test. And then she flees, daring her suitor to follow. Thus begins the Bride Quest of Bayard of Villonne, to compete for the hand of a woman he has never seen...

Newly returned from the Crusades, Bayard has warned his family of a pending attack upon their estate. When they pay no heed to his message, he swears to protect the family holding himself...even if its price is a marriage of convenience. It seems a simple matter to win the hand of a rural maid in a barbarian contest — until the chase begins.

Esmeraude's challenge makes her far more intriguing than Bayard had dared to hope.
But when he follows her across the waters and rescues a tattered, ravishing damsel in disguise, he knows he has found her. Recklessly, she o.. (Read more) “I will not wed a man who thinks to own me.”

Furthermore, Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe declares that she alone will name the winner of her heart. To the knights gallant who ride from afar to do her bidding, she issues a challenge: a riddle that is both quest and test. And then she flees, daring her suitor to follow. Thus begins the Bride Quest of Bayard of Villonne, to compete for the hand of a woman he has never seen...

Newly returned from the Crusades, Bayard has warned his family of a pending attack upon their estate. When they pay no heed to his message, he swears to protect the family holding himself...even if its price is a marriage of convenience. It seems a simple matter to win the hand of a rural maid in a barbarian contest — until the chase begins.

Esmeraude's challenge makes her far more intriguing than Bayard had dared to hope.
But when he follows her across the waters and rescues a tattered, ravishing damsel in disguise, he knows he has found her. Recklessly, she offers herself to the handsome stranger. But not even a passion that touches both their souls can win her hand. For Esmeraude will settle for nothing less than total surrender of the crusader’s worn and weary heart...a treasure Bayard is determined to keep shielded forever.

This edition includes excerpts from THE BEAUTY BRIDE and ONCE UPON A KISS.
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Tags

scotland, historical romance, knight, medieval, scottish romance, medieval romance, claire delacroix, lord of the isles, ceinnbeithe, bride quest

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Reviews

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Review by: cherry coleman on May 09, 2012 :
love this book...fun and exciting..twist and turns that made your head spend. Can't wait for the new book A Renegades heart.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: dlynx on March 24, 2012 :
I enjoyed the book --- it was humorous and intriguing. You kept wondering what scrape she would get into next and he was determined to win her. The whole thing about the vine and Dame Fortune added a bit of other worldliness to the entire story, and was an unexpected delight.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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