The Noble Hearts Series by Merry Farmer

Lady Aubrey has a problem. Several problems. Her childhood love, Ethan, has returned home from the Crusades, but he’s more interested in winning his land back than wooing her. She has to rescue a pair of nuns who are being held prisoner in Derby Castle’s tower by the sadistic Sheriff Buxton. And to top it all off, she’s developing scandalous feelings for Buxton’s lackey, the dark and devilish Crispin... moreLady Aubrey has a problem. Several problems. Her childhood love, Ethan, has returned home from the Crusades, but he’s more interested in winning his land back than wooing her. She has to rescue a pair of nuns who are being held prisoner in Derby Castle’s tower by the sadistic Sheriff Buxton. And to top it all off, she’s developing scandalous feelings for Buxton’s lackey, the dark and devilish Crispin. Faced with all that what’s a girl to do but don her disguise as the Derbywood Bandit and take matters into her own hands? Sir Crispin is at his wit’s end. Not only does he have his hands full keeping Buxton from killing half the shire, now his arch nemesis, the Derbywood Bandit, has joined forces with his old rival Ethan. And that’s nothing compared to the burning torch he carries for his ex-fiancé, Lady Aubrey. He would do anything to win Aubrey’s love … … until he suspects that there could be a closer connection between Aubrey and the Derbywood Bandit than anyone knows. less

Being a noble is all about soft beds and plenty of food, or so Jack Tanner always thought. But the other nobles of Derbyshire still treat him like a dirty peasant, he can do nothing to stop the rash of robberies in the forest, and his enigmatic steward, Simon, knows more about running a manor than he does. To top it off, even the return of Madeline, the love of his life, is overcast by the machinations of the beautiful and cunning Lydia... moreBeing a noble is all about soft beds and plenty of food, or so Jack Tanner always thought. But the other nobles of Derbyshire still treat him like a dirty peasant, he can do nothing to stop the rash of robberies in the forest, and his enigmatic steward, Simon, knows more about running a manor than he does. To top it off, even the return of Madeline, the love of his life, is overcast by the machinations of the beautiful and cunning Lydia. So when King Richard is captured and Derbyshire is asked to raise an impossible sum of ransom money, Jack must make a sacrifice that destroys his and Madeline’s chance of happiness. Lady Madeline risked everything when she defied her father and escaped the convent in order to be with Jack. But their long-awaited reunion is ruined by her father’s wrath and the fortune-hunting seductress Lydia. Madeline is smart, but convent life hasn’t prepare her to battle for her man. When Jack becomes Lydia’s captive, literally and figuratively, Madeline must learn to out-maneuver her rival in order to save the man who once saved her from a fate worse than death. less

He was the hero of the Holy Land, King Richard’s favorite, a bold and courageous knight. But when Ethan Windale returned from the crusades he lost everything, his home, his pride, and his dearest friend. Years later, alone and adrift, his courage is tested once again when the fate of his old rivals falls into his hands. With one word he can destroy his enemies and regain the home he lost, but to do so he must betray the woman that even war and death couldn’t drive from his heart... moreHe was the hero of the Holy Land, King Richard’s favorite, a bold and courageous knight. But when Ethan Windale returned from the crusades he lost everything, his home, his pride, and his dearest friend. Years later, alone and adrift, his courage is tested once again when the fate of his old rivals falls into his hands. With one word he can destroy his enemies and regain the home he lost, but to do so he must betray the woman that even war and death couldn’t drive from his heart. Joanna Dunkirke has sworn she will never forgive Ethan for leaving her or for his part in her brother’s death. But when her master and mistress are imprisoned in the Tower of London it is Ethan who comes to her rescue. Caught between anger and a passion she has fought against for years, Joanna embroils herself in deadly court intrigue. When a shocking act of devotion changes everything she thought she knew about the man who destroyed her life, she must choose between her heart and her duty. But can she really trust Ethan? less