Love's Orphan — John Wilson

A forsaken duchess and the disgraced knight who is willing to sacrifice everything to save her…

When Duke Frederick of the medieval duchy of Austria is killed in combat without a male heir, the House of Babenberg is plunged into disarray. In the desperate hope of maintaining possession of their ancestral lands, the Austrian nobles name Frederick's only daughter as the new duchess. Doubly cursed by a father who gave her neither his love nor his discipline, the proud and stubborn Elsea Babenberg finds herself at the center of dangerous political intrigue she never wanted any part of. Used and manipulated by her self-seeking council, she soon despairs of finding happiness, much less love. That changes when she meets Prince John of Bavaria whose kindness breaks down the icy walls of her heart. For the first time in her life, the cynical Elsea sees a future with a glimmer of hope. But when Elsea discovers the truth about Prince John, will love be able to overcome his lies?