Highlands Deception — Aileen Adams

Athdar has always had a charmed life. More or less. The son of a laird, he spent his time soldiering, carousing, and wenching at another laird's castle. Now, however, he's come home and his chickens seemed to have come home to roost as well. His father's preparing to turn the lairdship over to Athdar one day, but first, Athdar must be wed. He's to choose a wife from among a list of eligible daughters of nearby lairds. This handsome highlander's not having it. What's a highlander to do? Vanish, of course. And start a new life. Orphaned Highland healer Rhona has a dream and a dilemma. Her dream? To be the healer that her mother was. Her dilemma? An overzealous suitor who insists that she take his hand in marriage. It does not help that her grandmother is pushing for the wedding as well. And then, one day, a mysterious stranger drops in, practically from out of the sky. He appears in the ruins near her village, seeming to have no past, and sadly no future. Yet, he does possess something, this dashing, handsome highlander. By the end of a few days he possesses her heart. Until he vanishes. That's when Rhona learns that lies can tear asunder the best laid plans. What will it take to mend her broken heart and put her world to rights?