Simon's Lady Series by Julie Tetel, Julie Tetel Andresen

Simon of Beresford is a proud warrior who is fiercely loyal to King Stephen. He is also a widower content with single state. When asked by Queen Matilda to make a political alliance through marriage to Gwyneth of Northumbria, he is both dumbfounded and aggrieved. But then he lays eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Gwyneth of Northumbria is a new captive in the court. She is truly appalled when she meets the brute she is to wed, a man with no manners and no tact... moreSimon of Beresford is a proud warrior who is fiercely loyal to King Stephen. He is also a widower content with single state. When asked by Queen Matilda to make a political alliance through marriage to Gwyneth of Northumbria, he is both dumbfounded and aggrieved. But then he lays eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Gwyneth of Northumbria is a new captive in the court. She is truly appalled when she meets the brute she is to wed, a man with no manners and no tact. But she quickly discovers that what her husband lacks in charm, he makes up for in brute masculinity. The political forces that brought Gwyneth to the court are still blowing through the kingdom. King Stephen clings to his throne, but a young, upstart Henry is gathering forces and followers. Simon will forever be Stephen’s man but he cannot be sure of where Gwyneth’s loyalties lie. When he suspects her of being a spy in Stephen’s court, the fragile bond they have been able to form is threatened. But Gwyneth knows who the real spy is, and this villain is set on destroying both her and Simon. Can she expose this spy’s treachery in time? less

Intrigue and adventure beckoned all who dared to enter the enchanted Castle Cairn . . . But little did Elizabeth Cameron suspect that its winding passages also guarded the secrets to her own mysterious past. And would lead her to her one true love. Ian MacLaurin had come to the Highlands to put to rest the demons of his youth. But the great stone walls of his ancestral home seemed unwilling to cooperate, until they drew him into the embrace of a most unlikely siren . . moreIntrigue and adventure beckoned all who dared to enter the enchanted Castle Cairn . . . But little did Elizabeth Cameron suspect that its winding passages also guarded the secrets to her own mysterious past. And would lead her to her one true love. Ian MacLaurin had come to the Highlands to put to rest the demons of his youth. But the great stone walls of his ancestral home seemed unwilling to cooperate, until they drew him into the embrace of a most unlikely siren . . . the bewitching Elizabeth Cameron. less