Forbidden Flame — S.K. McClafferty

When Catherine Breaux sets out to find her brother's killer and bring him to justice, getting set upon by bandits along the Natchez Trace is not in her plans. Yet, when all seems lost, a mysterious night-riding stranger comes pounding out of the night to scatter the outlaws. Wealthy planter, Jase St. Claire's timely appearance is a mixed blessing. He may have saved Catherine from ravishment at the hands of the outlaws. . . but who will save her from him? Upon discovering that the hotheaded young lady is set upon seeing the infamous renegade, the Black Lion hanged for murders being perpetrated along the deserted wilderness highway, Jase decides she will be safer as a guest at his plantation. Especially, since he is the man she is seeking. Keeping Catherine out of trouble, however, proves harder than he imagined; keeping his hands off her is impossible, even while he tries to catch a killer.