Rosalind Marsters feels left behind. Her younger sister recently eloped with a blacksmith, and her closest cousin found a place at the court of the countess of Norfolk. And she married a knight. Meanwhile, Rosalind sits at home doing the accounts for her merchant father and dreaming about becoming chatelaine of her own manor.

But how?

No suitor has yet met her exacting standards, whether in virtue, rank or cold, hard silver. Her father has all but given up on marital prospects for her. At 22 years of age, taking the veil is becoming a real possibility.

And so frustration at her stilted life overcomes fear when she joins a mercy convoy to bring victuals to a hungry castle, where gratitude might lead to opportunity.

Sir William Fitzwalter chafes at having to tutor the earl’s son. He once fought courageously alongside King Richard the Lionheart, so castle life in the dreary depths of East Anglia has left him frustrated. Yet, he will do his duty to his lord, for his grace needs someone capable and trustworthy not only to teach his heir but also to protect him and his mother. The stench of rebellion wafts over the land.

A violent encounter unexpectedly brings the discontented knight and the merchant’s daughter together, but at a heavy cost. Each is dismissive of the other, even if they can’t hide their mutual attraction. And that would be the end of it were it not for a series of unforeseen circumstances that keeps them reluctantly together.

As the threats to their very lives and the lives of those they’ve sworn to protect mount, Rosalind and Sir William come to depend on each other more than they would like. Haughty facades crumble, presumptions collapse, secrets come to light, revealing their true, vulnerable selves.

However, time is not on their side. As their darkest hour approaches, Rosalind and Sir William must decide whether their love is worth the sacrifices demanded of them.

Tropes you'll enjoy:

• Enemies to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Class differences/animosity
• Meet-cute gone wrong
• Forbidden love

Determined Damsels Series

Book 1 - Fashioning a Knight

Book 2 - Forging a Fiance

Book 3 - Finding a Baron

Book 4 - Fancying a Priest

Book 5 - Fanning a Flame