Bride Quest Series by Claire Delacroix

"I will wed only my one true love!" declared Princess Brianna despite King Henry's decree that she marry one of the sons of the man who had conquered her family's castle.  So Brianna issued a seemingly impossible challenge: He who returned with a gift that made her laugh would win her hand.  And thus began the bride quest of the three brothers Fitzgavin. . . . Burke and Rowan, knights both, set out at her command... more"I will wed only my one true love!" declared Princess Brianna despite King Henry's decree that she marry one of the sons of the man who had conquered her family's castle.  So Brianna issued a seemingly impossible challenge: He who returned with a gift that made her laugh would win her hand.  And thus began the bride quest of the three brothers Fitzgavin. . . . Burke and Rowan, knights both, set out at her command.  Only Luc remained, refusing to indulge the whims of the glorious Irish princess.  Even Brianna's legendary beauty could not tempt him--until she invaded his senses .  .  .  and his soul.  But Luc thought a princess had no place in the life of a battle-weary warrior who vowed to lay down his sword forever--until he was forced to take up arms to protect the fair maiden who had seized his heart by divine right. less

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... moreOnce 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 nothing to do with him. Burke knows he must earn her trust again. Even as he slowly rekindles her desire, Alys’ family attempts to thwart their romance—determined that Alys should not marry before her cousins do. But Burke is a warrior and this battle to win the hand and the heart of his one true love will be his greatest challenge ever… less

1999 - Dell - Paperback - 1st Edition - The Heiress - By Claire Delacroix - The Bride Quest Series #3 - Historical Romance - New - Shelf Display Copy - Leafed through but never read - Out of Print - Collectible - a Great Holiday Gift Idea

Be Mine for  a year  and  a day  and  I will possess your heart forevermore! Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin--and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love... moreBe Mine for  a year  and  a day  and  I will possess your heart forevermore! Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin--and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land--and the fiery countess--in a war of sweet seduction.... Eglantine declared she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day--and make her his pagan bride. Each thought Kinbeath the prize they most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and hand of the woman he was born to possess. From the Paperback edition. less

The crusader feared nothing — until he met... The Temptress “I will not wed a man who thinks to own me.” Furthermore, Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe declares 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 suitors to follow. Thus begins the Bride Quest of Bayard of Villonne, to compete for the hand of a woman he has never seen... moreThe crusader feared nothing — until he met... The Temptress “I will not wed a man who thinks to own me.” Furthermore, Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe declares 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 suitors 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 convenience. It seems a simple matter to win the hand of a rural maid in a barbarian contest — until the chase begins. Esmeraude’s challenge makes her far more intriguing than Bayard has dared to hope. But when he follows her across the waters and rescues a tattered, ravishing damsel in disguise, he knows he has found her. Recklessly, she offers herself to the handsome stranger. But not even a passion that touches both their souls can win her hand. For Esmeraude will settle for nothing less than total surrender of the crusader’s worn and wary heart ... a treasure Bayard is determined to keep shielded forever. From the Paperback edition. less