The Crusader S Bride

Gaston battled for duty and honor—until Ysmaine tempted him to fight for her love... When the Templar knight Gaston unexpectedly inherits his family estate, he knows he needs a wife and heir. A marriage of convenience to a widow in need of assistance is a practical solution and the newly-wed pair leave Jerusalem, entrusted with the delivery of a package for the Templars. Away from the life he has known for years, Gaston quickly realizes that little is following his plan—especially his mysterious wife, whose presence awakens an unexpected fire... Twice widowed, Ysmaine doubts she will ever wed again, let alone have a marriage of merit—until she is charmed by the gruff knight intent upon defending her. Ysmaine weds again, not only by her own choice but to a warrior whose honor she admires. She is determined to show Gaston that marriage has more to offer them both than an heir, but first she must win the trust of the wary man she has impulsively wed... Neither realize that Gaston has been entrusted with the treasure of the Templars—much less that someone in their small party is intent upon claiming the prize at any cost. In a company of strangers with secrets, can Gaston dare to trust his new bride? Can Ysmaine convince Gaston to confide what he knows? Can they solve the riddle together before the villain’s plan comes to fruition and all is lost? * * * The Champions of St. Euphemia series follows the quest of a group of knights entrusted with a treasure in Jerusalem which they must deliver safely to Paris on their way to their respective homes. They find adventure and peril on the way, as well as romance. Since the stories overlap and build upon each other, they should be read in order. 1. The Crusader's Bride 2. The Crusader's Heart 3. The Crusader's Kiss 4. The Crusader's Vow 5. The Crusader's Handfast * * * medieval romance, series starter, first-in-series, historical romance, Templar, knight, medieval, action adventure, quest, treasure, disguise, secret identity, lost heir, widow, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, scottish, highlander, may december, warrior, jerusalem, venice, paris, scotland, england, robin hood, fish out of water

Gaston battled for duty and honor--until his new wife tempted him to fight for her love.Gaston has had his fill of war and the Latin Kingdoms when he learns that he has inherited his father's estate in France. He accepts one last quest for the Templars, the order he has served for fifteen years, and agrees to deliver a package to Paris on his way home. A practical man, Gaston knows he now has need of a wife and an heir, so when a lovely widowed noblewoman on pilgrimage catches his eye, he believes he can see matters solved to their mutual convenience.But Ysmaine is more than a pilgrim enduring bad luck. She has buried two husbands in rapid succession, both of whom died on her nuptial night, and believes herself cursed. Accepting the offer of this gruff knight seems doomed to result in his demise, but Gaston is dismissive of her warnings and Ysmaine finds herself quickly wed again--this time to a man who is not only vital, but determined to remain alive.Neither of them realize that Gaston's errand is one of peril, for the package contains the treasure of the Templars--and some soul, either in their party or pursuing it, is intent upon claiming the prize for his or her own, regardless of the cost. In a company of strangers with secrets, do they dare to trust each other and the love that dawns between them?

Reprint of the original, first published in 1860.

First published in 1999, this volume emerged as part of the Collected Studies series and features studies authored by Bernard Hamilton over a period of twenty years, all of which deal with relations between Western Europe and the neighbouring civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 12th and 13th centuries. The first set examines the kind of society which developed in the Crusader States (including three essays on women and Queens), and the attitude of western settlers to the Byzantine Empire, eastern Christian churches and the Islamic world. Further essays deal with the impact on Western Europe of Christian dualist heresy which had its roots in the Balkans and Armenia, and perhaps ultimately in Persia. The final group centres around the Holy Places, whose liberation was the raison d’etre of the crusade movement. They examine how the Western Church administered these shrines, the way in which they shaped western piety during the time of crusader rule, and how the cult of the Holy Places developed in the Western Church after they had been recaptured by Islam. Each article’s original citation information is included, along with the original page numbers and pagination.

Born in the Holy Land only a few years after the Third Crusade, half-Armenian, half-Scot Arbela MacLean is a true daughter of the desert, beautiful and untamed. Trained to be a warrior to avoid her gentle mother's fate, Arbela has honed her skills with Turkish bow and arrow, sword and throwing darts-and dreads the day her father choses a man for her to marry.After more than thirty years in the Holy Land, Donal MacLean, Baron of Batroun, is recalled to Scotland, the last son available to take up leadership of clan MacLean. He brings with him knights, treasure, trade-and a daughter of marriageable age.Caelen MacKern, known as the Bull of the Highlands, is cynical about women. His first marriage formed an alliance, and he did not grieve when his spoiled, immature bride passed away. He has agreed to marry again-against his better judgement-for the men, means and coin to recover from a devastating pestilence that all but wiped out his clan.Though more than a little resentful at finding himself forced to remarry, Caelen's proposal to Donal MacLean's headstrong daughter nevertheless piques her interest. Each will receive what they want most from life-the ability to live as they please without interference from a meddling spouse. But their marriage of indifference will soon change to one of passion that neither Arbela nor Caelen could have predicted.Do you enjoy a colorful bit of history with your romance? Many second and third sons-Scots and English alike-took to the Crusades for a chance at glory and riches. Donal MacLean of our story followed Richard Lionheart to the Holy Land where he won the notice of Bohemond IV of Antioch, Count of Tripoli. He joined the prince's service and was soon made Baron of Batroun, residing at Mseilha Castle where he guarded St. William's Pass on the road from Tripoli to Beiruit. Donal, now Baron of Batroun, married an Armenian princess and settled down to live his life in the Holy Land.Recalled some thirty years after he first left Scotland, his daughter Arbela, with her exotic eyes, dusky skin, and voluptuous body-heritage of her Armenian mother-will turn heads and engender gossip in Scotland where praises are sung to pale-skinned, bright-haired lasses, and her colorful clothing will raise more than a few eyebrows.