Wicked One — Elizabeth Keys

When rumors and falsehoods damage his reputation, dashing horse trainer Connal Delaney, avoiding polite society, finds salvation in the arms of a beautiful young widow from North Carolina, but their enemies threaten to tear them apart.

Whispers...rumours...and none of them true, but Connal Delaney cannot escape or explain. If all of County Kildare thinks of him as a scoundrel and seducer, there is nothing the handsome horse trainer can do but endure his loneliness. Then Connal's hard-won peace is shattered by the unexpected arrival of Bethany Doyle. Like him, the beautiful young widow from North Carolina is troubled and alone - but her gentle ways touch him deeply. Bethany hopes only to secure her little son's future in Ireland. Shaken by her passionate attraction to Connal Delaney, she nonetheless vows to guard her battered heart. Yet, even as their enemies conspire to keep them apart, it is her hear that tells her Connal is an honourable man, someone she can trust - and love forever, come what may...