Showing results by author "Claire Delacroix" in All Categories

Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two forgotten half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to claim it at any price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution - he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim. But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own.

Certain she will never wed for love, sworn to let no man possess her for her beauty alone, Jacqueline de Crevy has vowed to become a bride of God. But en route to the convent of Inveresbeinn, her party is ambushed by a knight, who snatches Jacqueline from her saddle and spirits her away with him. He is Angus MacGillivray—not the blackhearted ravisher she fears but a valiant man of honor who has returned to Scotland seeking justice...and revenge. Angus has come home from the Crusades to find his family murdered and his birthright seized. Sworn to reclaim his rightful lands, he has ...

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. So concerned with duty that he could be wrought of stone, she does not expect the seductive fire awakened by his touch. But has she fallen in love with a man whose affections are already claimed? Snared between duty and passion, Amaury finds himself beguiled by the lady.

Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe is determined 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 ...

Released from the captivity of the Fae, Murdoch Seton wants nothing more than to forget his lost years. Undertaking a quest to recover treasure stolen from his family seems the perfect solution - but Murdoch is not counting upon a curious maiden who holds both the secret to the theft and his sole redemption. Isabella is outraged to find her brother's keep besieged by a renegade knight - especially one who is too handsome for his own good or hers.

Lady Madeline's heart is not for sale - especially not to a notorious outlaw like Rhys FitzHenry. Yet Madeline's hand has been sold, to none other than this battle-weary warrior with a price on his head. A more dutiful maiden might cede to the Laird's command and meekly accept her fate, but Madeline has never been obedient. She decides to run away, though she never dreams that Rhys will pursue her.

Like a heroine in an ancient tale, Vivienne waited in the highest chamber of Kinfairlie's tower for her fated lover. In the darkness he came for her, cloaked and hooded so that she would not see his face. He loved her sweetly, thoroughly...and Vivienne knew she had met her destiny. But in the morning light, her dream is shattered. Erik Sinclair of Blackleith is no romantic hero but a disinherited warrior who arranged her abduction to regain his own legacy.

Gaston has had his fill of war and the Latin Kingdoms when he learns that he has inherited his father's estate in France. He accepts one last quest for the Templars, the order he has served for 15 years, and agrees to deliver a package to Paris on his way home. A practical man, Gaston knows he now has need of a wife and an heir, so when a lovely widowed noblewoman on pilgrimage catches his eye, he believes he can see matters solved to their mutual convenience.

A pirate queen trapped in the realm of Faerie, Rosamunde can be freed only by true love. The man she loved is lost to her forever, so she believes herself doomed. Padraig, long in love with Rosamunde, believes his life worthless since she disappeared. When he hears of her capture by the fey, he is determined to set her free, but can Rosamunde put the past behind her and learn to love anew?

Robbed of his possessions, wounded and left for dead, Quentin de Montgomerie has lost everything except his love for Mhairi, the daughter of the Hawk of Inverfyre - and he knows who is to blame for his fate. He vows to return to Inverfyre and take his vengeance from the Hawk, but arrives to discover that the fierce maiden in possession of his heart has blossomed into a beauty, and that her kiss has the power to give him hope for the future again. Can Quentin prove himself to the Hawk and win Mhairi - or will she spurn him for being less than once he was?

Dear Reader: Seductive and mysterious, Merlyn was the laird of Ravensmuir - never had a man so stirred my body and soul. I gave myself to him - willingly, trustingly, passionately - and we soon wed. Then a horrible revelation emerged, shattering my innocence and my marriage... Five years later, Merlyn returned to my doorstep, desperate for my help. The scoundrel swore he was haunted by memories of me, that a treasure locked in Ravensmuir could clear his name.

Lady Eleanor knows better than to dream of romance and love. Married twice to secure her father's alliances, she has learned that she is desirable only for her fortune. When the laird of Kinfairlie's sisters ask her to wed their brother, Alexander, Eleanor agrees, expecting only to save herself from danger. Alexander is like no man she's known before. He is a man more interested in courting her smile than her obedience. He is a man who values her counsel as much as her newly awakened passion.

Outraged that her beloved brother's soul is to be the Fae tithe to Hell, Elizabeth knows that she must save him. She is the only one in her family who can see the Fae, after all, and is already cursed by their king herself. Malcolm may have offered to replace his comrade out of honor, but Elizabeth knows who better deserves to live - and it is not the handsome rogue, Rafael, who is concerned with his own welfare alone.

Cheated of his inheritance and burdened by the legacy of his Fae blood, Garrett MacLachlan believes he's doomed to be an outcast forever - until he meets Annelise of Kinfairlie, a gentle maiden with the power to turn his curse into a gift. Can Garrett reclaim his stolen legacy with Annelise by his side? If Annelise defies her family to pursue true love, will that be enough to heal Garrett? And even if they triumph over mortal foes, will the Fae demand a price neither of them can pay?

After eight years abroad, Malcolm returns to Scotland with a fortune, a companion even more hardened than he and a determination to restore his inherited holding. But when that companion falls into peril, Malcolm seizes the chance to repay an old debt, trading his own soul for that of his doomed comrade. Knowing his days are limited and determined to leave a legacy of merit, Malcolm rebuilds Ravensmuir with all haste, though he fears he will never have an heir.

Six years after the end of The Temptress, the family have all been invited to Airdfinnan to celebrate Easter, as well as the knighting of Jacqueline and Angus' oldest son Fergus. There's also a betrothal planned between their oldest daughter, Annelise, and Rowan's son, Nicholas. An arranged marriage between the pair might make sense, but more than one person in attendance is keeping quiet about their doubts. The mysterious vine that bloomed during Bayard's courtship of Esmeraude is growing again, though, seemingly determined to ensure that the path of true love succeeds. Will Nicholas make ...

Once upon a time, the legendary knight Burke Fitzgavin galloped into Kiltorren Castle and fell in love with Alys, the lord’s orphaned niece. But her uncle was determined that Burke marry one of his homely daughters instead. Through tricks and lies, Burke was sent away believing that Alys wanted nothing of his heart. Pledged to a Bride Quest, Burke has vowed not to return home until he finds his long-lost love. He returns to Kiltorren to discover that the fiery young innocent has become a woman, a servant on her uncle’s estate. Paying penance for Burke’s long-ago embrace, she wants ...

No woman can resist the charms of Rowan de Montvieux. But the dashing rogue is in no hurry to marry—until his family dares him to find a bride…or risk losing his inheritance. So Rowan sets out on a Bride Quest, vowing to wed only The Heiress. But his journey is interrupted when a slave merchant offers to sell him a ragged peasant girl who carries herself like a queen. Intrigued and never imagining she is the sought-after Bronwyn of Ballyroyal, an heiress in disguise, Rowan buys her, offering her his protection if she will lead him to the bride he seeks. Never has he met a woman so proud...

Princess Brianna of Tullymullagh is determined to marry only for love—until her father’s holding is conquered and the king decrees that she must wed one of the victor’s sons. Thinking she can outwit this condition, Brianna issues a challenge: the son who brings her a gift that makes her laugh will win her hand. Thus begins the Bride Quest of the three brothers Fitzgavin. Burke and Rowan, knights both, ride out on Brianna’s quest, each intent upon triumph. Only Luc refuses to participate, for he knows that a princess had no place in the life of a battle-weary warrior like himself. ...

Five years after the end of The Heiress, the brothers Fitzgavin gather at Castle Tullymullagh with their wives and families to celebrate the Yule, and a gentle ghost seizes the opportunity to add to the good fortune of all. This short story and epilogue to the Bride Quest I is available in ebook on its own, and is included in the new mass market paperback and hard cover editions of The Heiress. Although it actually occurs after events in The Countess, you don’t have to read Eglantine and Duncan’s story before this one.