Back at Rhona's home, having recently returned from Scotland, her father sighed heavily and ran a hand through his thick head of hair. He was sitting in front of the fireplace in their kitchen, listening to his wife. She was leaning forward, her hands flat on the table and clearly vexed.

"I am telling you, Donald. Those two girls are smitten with those Normans and the feeling is mutual. You must confine them to home until those Normans are gone or do you wish for them to marry or, even worse, elope?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Nay, of course not," he replied.

"Well, then. You must put your foot down." She pulled her hands from the table and folded her arms over her chest. "We know these men were involved in their kidnapping but the girls seem to have fallen for their charms. So much so, they have blatantly lied to me. Bethoc told me as much. It was lucky that she overheard them." She tapped her fingernails on the table. "It cannot be allowed to continue, husband."

"Wherefore have they set their sights on these Knights? We have plenty of menfolk in the village. Any one of them would marry our kin with no hesitation."

"Aye, but they are young and impressionable. These knights have filled their heads with nonsense and think to take them for their own. We must put a stop to it."

Donald stared into the flames, his mind confused. Why would his daughter and niece wish to marry not only men from the south, but also men who had been foremost in their kidnapping? It didn't make sense but then women rarely did, in his mind.

He looked back at his wife. "I can demand that they remain here, but you must be vigilant, when I am absent. I know how soft you can be with them." He waggled his eyebrows at her meaningfully and she bristled indignantly.

"Mayhap I can be—sometimes. But they will not disobey you and I can threaten them both with that. It will be enough." She placed her hands on her hips and, raising an eyebrow, asked, "Now, are you going to fetch them, or shall I?"

* * *

Rhona eyed Leon sullenly. Yet again, she found herself in trouble. His large hand encompassed her upper arm completely and, as much as she tried, she just couldn't pull away.

With his free hand, he pointed his finger straight in her face. "You are a troublesome wench, Rhona."

"I am not!"

Their attention was taken by the sound of Theo returning to the shore, towing a very irate Heather behind him. He rose up out of the water and pulled Heather up with him. She twisted and turned in an attempt to get away but he gave her a sharp smack to her bottom and she stopped immediately, her jaw dropping open with shock. Her hair was plastered to her head and her heavy clothing clung to her body, lake water puddling at her feet.

Theo's eyes fastened on Rhona and then he looked at Leon. "I think a swift punishment for these two is required."

"Aye, agreed. Yonder woods will be just the place to administer a good spanking."

"A spanking?" gasped Heather, her eyes widening. "You cannot do such a thing!"

But Theo was already half pulling, half carrying her along the edge of the lake towards the dense wood. She turned to Rhona in panic, "Use the knife, Rhona! The knife!"

Rhona raised her free hand and went to raise her skirt to reach her pocket beneath but Leon captured her wrist.

"Where is the knife?" he demanded.

She stubbornly refused to answer him.

"I see." Trapping both her hands and placing them against the small of her back, he began to march her over to the woods. Finding a suitable spot, he seated himself on a large stone and swiftly pulled Rhona down over his firm thighs.

She felt him pull up her skirts and it wasn't long before he located the hidden knife in her pocket. "Aha, so this is what you intended to use on me?"

"Aye, I would run you through with it!" she spat angrily.

"With this little thing? I think you will find I am thicker skinned than that, my little firebrand."

"Go to hell!"

"Harsh words, little one, considering the position you are in."

She felt his hand settle on one buttock and closed her eyes, knowing what was coming. He hugged her waist against his side and then raised his hand, bringing it straight down onto both cheeks.

The sting that ensued made Rhona cry out but it did nothing to deter him. He soon set up a steady rhythm, landing hard swats upon her exposed bottom.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

She gasped, as he continued to smack her backside, his powerful muscles lending extra force to his large hand, as it impacted upon her soft flesh. Her bottom was stinging like fury, and she tried once again to struggle free.

"Prithee desist!" she wailed, trying her utmost to wriggle forward off his lap, but his grip held her fast.

"Nay, you need a lesson in behaviour."

Smack! Smack! Smack!

"Ooh!" Rhona's bottom was on fire. She gritted her teeth as she tried to combat the pain, but his hands were huge and each smack created a sting that seemed to last forever. After several more swats that made her face screw up with pain, he stopped.

His large hand laid flat across her bottom whilst his deep voice spoke over her shoulder, "I would have your promise that you will never do anything so foolhardy again? Climbing trees is dangerous and throwing logs at people, even more so."

"It was supposed to be a harmless prank." She sniffled. She felt his hand stir so she quickly added, 'But I promise I will never do it again."

"Heed me well, Rhona, for if I catch you doing such a thing again, I shall put you over my knees so fast, you won't know what has happened!"

He finally allowed her to rise off his lap, and she stood before him whilst he rose up. Her skirts fell down into place and she slipped a hand over her sore bottom and rubbed it gently through the material, her bottom lip pouting softly.

Leon placed his hand on her chin and raised her eyes to his. She regarded him solemnly.

"Do you care for me, Rhona?"

A little startled by his direct question, she felt her cheeks suffuse with colour. Aye, he was handsome and the tone of his voice alone sent shivers down her spine, but did she like him? At the moment, nay. Had he not just punished her like a misbehaving child?

She raised her chin and her eyes flashed fire, the hazel depths turning almost gold. "Nay! You think to spank me like a naughty girl yet I am a woman. So nay, I hate you!" She turned her back on him and crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

She felt his hands settle on her slim shoulders and he turned her gently around to face him.

"I find I cannot get you out of my mind. Even in my sleep, you invade my dreams."

His confession took her by surprise and she looked at him to see if he spoke the truth. His blue eyes never wavered as he stared back at her, and she knew that he spoke in earnest. Mesmerised, she didn't stop him as he gathered her in his arms and drew her against his powerful body.

He smelled of leather and wood smoke, manly and intoxicating. She raised her face to his and he captured her lips with his own, meshing firmly against her, coming together as one. All thoughts flew from her mind as he demanded her response, plundering her mouth, his tongue fencing with hers.

Her hands crept up of their own volition and entwined at the back of his neck, entangling in his long wavy hair. His beard tickled her sensitive lips but she cared not. Caught in the moment, neither heard the heavy tread approaching.

"Unhand my daughter, sir!"

At the harshly spoken command, they immediately broke apart to find Donald in front of them. He glared at Leon, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and then looked to Rhona. "Come here, daughter."

"But Father?" she protested.

"Now, Rhona!" He looked at her fiercely and she knew she had to obey him. Quickly, she moved to his side and looked at Leon with big eyes, as her father began to speak. "My daughter is not for you. Do you understand?" He raised his finger as Leon went to speak. "This is your only warning."

He grabbed Rhona's arm and began to pull her away. She tried to protest but it fell on deaf ears. "Be silent," he thundered. "Is Heather with you?"

"Aye, she is in the woods."

At her words, her father's eyes darkened. "Is she with the other knight?"

Rhona gulped. "I am not certain."

"Do not lie to me, daughter. Is she, or is she not?"

Rhona nodded and shuffled her feet uneasily. Everything was going wrong. What if Heather and Theo were in an uncompromising position and her father discovered them? Oh, Lord. Quickly, she cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted out Heather's name, immediately drooping her shoulders when her father fixed her with that look of his that meant she was in big trouble.

It seemed to work, though, for Heather and Theo appeared, only a minute later. Donald took one look at his bedraggled daughter and immediately uttered an oath.

"Stay here!" he ordered Rhona, and stalking over to Heather, he grabbed her arm. "What has happened here?"

Heather swallowed hard before answering, "I fell in the lake and Theo assisted me. That is all, Uncle, I swear."

Donald narrowed his eyes. "Are you telling me the truth?"

"Aye, I swear it." Heather nodded her head emphatically.

Rhona darted a glance at Leon. He had his arms folded over his chest and was looking from her to her father, seeming to be unsure of what to do. She slumped her shoulders. She knew her father would never allow a liaison betwixt them, had she not said as much to Heather. Her lips still tingled from his kiss and she ran her fingertips gently over the surface. He watched her from afar, his intense blue eyes following her movement.

Donald escorted Heather away from Theo and told the girls, in no uncertain terms, they were returning home with him. Realising they had little choice but to obey him, they forlornly walked ahead of him, not daring to turn around and look at the Norman knights whom they had come to care so much for.

* * *

Back at home, Rhona and Heather were given a severe tongue lashing from Hextilda, when she was informed by Donald that they had, indeed, been in the company of the two knights. Rhona bore the brunt of it, for it was she who had been witnessed kissing one of them.

Heather managed to maintain her story of falling into the lake, and because they couldn't prove otherwise, she was out of the firing line, for now.

Rhona was ordered to her bedroom with an order to get all notions of marrying Leon out of her mind. No daughter of theirs would marry an enemy of their Scottish king.

Frustrated, Rhona had thrown herself down on her bed and beat her pillow furiously. No man had ever caught her affections like Leon. Aye, he had spanked her but mayhap she had deserved it. But his kiss, though. That had made her entire body tingle with a desire she had never felt before. Even now, the thought of his lips on hers sent shivers running down her spine.

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. What would it feel like to have such a man for a husband? Having his huge arms wrapped around her small body, making her feel safe and secure in his embrace. What would the marital act feel like? Would his weapon be as big as his hands? She blushed at where her wicked thoughts were taking her and chewed her bottom lip, wanton desires coursing through her body.

Her naughty thoughts were interrupted by Alana creeping into her room. Her eyes were wide as she settled herself on the edge of the bed beside Rhona. "Did you truly kiss Leon?"

Rhona rolled her eyes. "Aye, what of it?"

"What was it like?"

Rhona sat up and pursed her lips. "Wherefore do you want to know?"

"I just do. There is nothing wrong in wanting to know what a man's lips feel like pressed up against your own. Was it good?"

"Alana. Honestly, as if I would tell you. You will find out, soon enough, when you find a man of your own. Not that anyone will have you, if you keep asking pointless questions."

Alana huffed. "I am merely curious."

"Well, you know what curiosity did to the cat, do you not?"

For an answer, Alana jumped up and, poking out her tongue, ran from the room. Rhona smiled. Cheeky girl. She would tell her, but in her own good time. At the moment, she wanted to keep the wonderful experience to herself, something special she could think about when she was alone with her thoughts.

* * *

Summer 1092…

Several weeks passed and Rhona heard nothing from Leon. Confined to the house, she could only lament the loss of his company. Heather was as bad. Even though she had complained about Theo spanking her, she still professed her love for him.

"We are a fine pair, are we not, Heather?" Rhona sighed. They were leaning against the sheep pen, looking across the valley.

"Aye. 'Tis so unfair. Just when we discovered that we have feelings for them, we are forbidden from seeing them again."

"I suppose they are back in Carlisle now, overseeing the castle construction."

"Aye. I expect they have forgotten all about us. Even now, they could be entertaining other women!"

"Nay, Heather! Do not say such things." Even though she said the words, she, too, wondered if they had been forgotten.

Heather brushed her hair from her face irritably. "Oh, 'tis unbearably hot today. 'Tis only June and we still have most of summer to come, the perfect months for courtship and yet we are to be denied. We shall never know true love!"

"God's bones, Heather. You are so dramatic."

"But I speak only the truth," Heather lamented.

"Mayhap we should forget them and look nearer to home for a husband." Even as she said the words, she knew they held no conviction. She belonged to Leon. She knew it as surely as she knew her own name. No other man would do.

Douglas, their elderly farm help, ambled by on the other side of the pen and Heather's gaze settled on him. "Mayhap I should take him for a husband?"

Rhona looked over and sniggered. "Aye, although he may be bit too virile for you, Heather. Try someone a bit older!"

Heather's response was to punch Rhona on the shoulder but Rhona was prepared and had already started to back away.

"Aw, Heather, did I touch a nerve?"

Heather picked up her skirts and chased her into the main house, where Hextilda was busy making dinner preparations. She tutted loudly when the two whirlwinds appeared and they quickly quietened down.

"Mother, where is Bethoc?" Rhona asked.

"In her bedchamber, I think."

Rhona had promised to help her with her writing and, having nothing else to do at that moment, she decided now was as good a time as any. She ran up the spiral staircase and knocked on her door before entering.

Bethoc had been reading something and jumped up in alarm, when Rhona entered, and hid whatever it was behind her back.

Rhona immediately knew something was wrong and walked up to her. "What are you hiding?"

"Naught!"

"If 'tis naught then you will not mind me seeing it. Hand it over:"

"We are not supposed to see it."

Rhona cocked her head. "See what? God's bones, Bethoc, you are speaking in riddles."

Bethoc chewed her bottom lip. "If I let you see it, do you promise not to tell who gave it to you?"

"Aye. On my own life, I do swear."

Slowly, Bethoc pulled her hand from behind her back to reveal a notelet. One side was charred and blackened. She handed it to Rhona.

"I saw Father throw it in the fire this morning, and as soon as he left the room, I fished it out. 'Tis a bit burned but you can still read most of it."

Rhona walked over to the narrow window and lifted the note up. When she began to read, her jaw grew slack and her eyes widened. "It is from Leon—addressed to me!"

Bethoc nodded. "Even though some of it is missing, you can still read most of it."

Rhona began to read the notelet, her heart gladdening with every word he had written. "He loves me and wants to marry me. But he thinks I do not feel the same, for I have not replied to his previous letters." She paused and looked at Bethoc. "How many has he sent? Father must have burned them all!"

Bethoc pulled a face. "Father did make it very clear that he disapproves of a match between you."

"As much as I love Father, 'tis my life that he thinks to control and I like it not. Leon would make a suitable husband. His only downfall, that I can see, is he is employed by King William and not by King Malcolm."

"In Father's eyes, 'tis enough."

Rhona stomped her foot on the floor before continuing to read. "He writes that he does not wish to upset my father and can understand him being protective of me but it will not deter him, if he knows that I love him. He ends the letter by asking me to respond. He is in Carlisle. 'Tis not far."

She clasped the letter to her bosom as the most joyous feeling washed over her. Leon loved her. Could it be truly possible? But here it was, the proof, written plainly for her to see.

"I am so glad you managed to save this, Bethoc. You have my undying gratitude." She kissed her sister on the cheek.

"We shall tell no one of this, except mayhap for Heather." She sat down on Bethoc's bed and spoke aloud, "I must get a letter to Carlisle—but how?"