Quinn de Sayerne vowed never to return home while his villainous father drew breath. Twenty years after his departure, a knight and crusader, Quinn is summoned to claim his family holding after his father’s death. But his overlord has a stipulation: he must wed Melissande, the beautiful but frosty heiress of neighboring Annossy. Quinn resolves to win the heart of his lady wife, no matter what the cost.
Melissande cannot believe that her liege lord has ignored her betrothal and wed her to a ruffian. Worse, he has granted the seal of Annossy to her new husband, despite her expertise. It is the dream of Quinn’s father brought to fruition, for the holdings will be merged just as he long schemed. Though her overlord cannot be defied and Melissande finds herself the chattel of this rough knight
