THE BETROTHAL BARGAIN The infamous Lord Ban has lost all in the Northumbrian conflict, and now this battle-hardened warrior must turn his thoughts to producing an heir. But only the very desperate would align her fate with such a man...Almost broken by the violent ravings of her first husband, the recently widowed but ever beautiful Lady Isabelle is left with no dowry and no hope for the future. Believed to be barren, she is forced into a secret betrothal to the powerful Lord. On one condition - she must be with child before the wedding vows are spoken...