The Rose and the Shield by Sara Bennett

Beautiful Lady Rose, the fiercely independent mistress of Somerford Manor, fears she may lose her home to roving raiders. As a lone woman—in a man’s world—asking for help from her Liege Lord, so instead, she reluctantly hires a bold Viking warrior, Gunnar Olafson, and his mercenaries to protect her undefended lands and people. Strong, muscular, and intense Gunnar takes her breath away, but she dares not trust him, especially when she barely trusts herself!

Gunnar is not what he seems. Posing as a hired soldier, he is duty-bound to expose Rose, whose actions have been seen as traitorous. Somerford is to be his reward. Gunnar quickly realizes Rose is the true prize. Now he’s trapped between his duty and his desire, revealing his deception to the woman who’s stolen his heart.