Falling in love with her was not part of his plan...Aric Claydon, weary and in the foulest of moods, arrives in Northumberland from Normandy to claim his Saxon bride - Lady Danielle - almost a year late. The girl is far from a ravishing beauty, nursing a small affliction and other irksome habits. Yet, compelled by a knight's oath and loyalty to his king, Aric performs his duty. The Lady Danielle is a means to an end to complete his gain and if he's lucky, bless him with an heir and nothing more. Soon enough Aric learns his new bride is not as timid as he first thought, but mysterious and with secrets of her own. Even as he gives in to the fiery passion she wields, he vows she will never hold his heart. But when danger and treachery abound he will stop at nothing to protect her...The Lady Danielle resigns herself to the fact that she must marry the Norman warrior with hope the formidable man will be the end to her silent suffering and peace will finally come to her people. Yet all hopes of salvation are dashed when the handsome warrior arrives in the night and takes one look at her. Danielle knows a man like Aric could never love or offer her comfort, but she is determined to make the most of it and prove to him that there is room for her love in his warrior's heart.