The Conquest by Jude Deveraux

The Conquest is the sequel to The Taming. The story returns to the fascinating medieval setting to continue the breathtaking Peregrine saga.

Zared Peregrine finds herself torn between family loyalty and new found love when Tearle Howard (in disguise) worms his way into her life. The Howards and Peregrines have been at war over land for years and both families have suffered tremendous losses at their enemies hands. Tearle Howard, brought up by his mother, is an innocent in this war and wants nothing more than to see the bloodshed come to an end.

When he first sets eyes on Zared Peregrine, who for her own safety had been raised as a boy, he decides he wants her as his own (somehow he realizes right off that she's a girl when none else can).

In Tearle's arms Zared comes to realize there is more to life than training, and fighting and she starts to enjoy being a woman. But because Tearle carries the Howard name, Zared can never trust him completely.