The Hunter & the Heiress — Claire Delacroix

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?Amaury finds himself beguiled by the lady who challenges his every expectation, but knows he has little to offer her. Snared between duty and passion, Amaury is suspicious when a former suitor arrives to court Elizabeth anew and they disagree. But when Elizabeth is threatened, Amaury chooses to risk his life in her defense, hoping his all will be enough. But will he reach Elizabeth and the villainous suitor in time? And can his love alone convince Elizabeth to place her hand in his for all time?