A battlefield vow will force him to choose between honor and love. Gowan Dunbar's father is killed while defending his home from the laird. With no family or croft, Gowan flees to a life as a mercenary soldier. There he makes a battlefield vow to a dying friend. Now he's come back to Scotland to fulfill it. Morna Innes has long yearned for the love of a man who is noble and strong and will give her headstrong spirit free rein. Then a chance encounter with a bold, handsome stranger sets off sparks Morna tries to deny, for she's promised to another. When that stranger turns out to be Gowan, newly arrived with sad news of her brother, both Morna and Gowan learn that hearts abide by no rules. Forbidden longing ignites into one secret tryst before they must part forever. But love is no match for the cruelty of fate.