Laird Neilan Ruthven will do whatever it takes to reclaim his family’s ancestral castle from the clutches of an English garrison. But when a wee woman with sunshine hair thwarts his plan and puts herself in danger, he not only whisks her to safety but discovers there’s more to the daughter of his most hated enemy than all his misconceptions of her. Lady Rosemond never expects to be tricked by a wily highlander. But this ruthless, battle-scarred laird with the beautiful hazel gaze is far different than she first imagined. He’s generous. Loyal. Far gentler than she first imagined. And as she discovers the true state of Scotland, ravaged by war, her privileged misconceptions crack and topple as her own loyalties are put to the test. Her affection for Neilan is deepening, as is the danger within which they find themselves. Can they claim an impossible future together? Will a yuletide wish be enough to give her what she so desperately wants? Neilan will do anything to protect her, perhaps even the unthinkable: laying down the sword he lives by in the name of peace.