Leon stood on top of the wooden ramparts at the partially constructed Carlisle castle and looked around him. Built upon the remains of a roman garrison fort, it had been the perfect spot for King William to erect a new fortress and, in doing so, assert his authority over King Malcolm.

The majority of tradesmen had come from the south. A trustworthy bunch of men who William knew would not only work at a fast pace but would be loyal to him to their last breath. Leon had handpicked the local men, most of whom seemed grateful for the work.

The build was going well and they were well over half way through the development. He should be happy but he found no pleasure in it. His heart felt too heavy. All he could think about was an auburn-haired enchantress named Rhona.

He had sent several letters and, not once, had he received an answer. Was it that she was no longer interested in him? Or another worrying thought was that his letters had been intercepted and she had never received them, in the first place. Her father had proved to be mightily protective. Reason told him that he would have no compunction in burning his communications.

Deep in thought, he was brought out of his reverie by the sound of footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Jacques walking towards him.

"I can tell, just be looking at your face, you are still thinking about Rhona, cousin."

"Aye. It has been several weeks and still no word from her."

"You could go and see her again," Jacques suggested. "Although, mayhap it would be wise to keep away from her father. He has made it plain he welcomes no match between you."

"Aye, I know it."

"Have you heard from Theo?" Jacques asked him.

"Nay, the king needs him at Winchester. I suspect it will be a few months yet, before he returns north. I wonder if he has written to Heather."

"He never said, before he left. Whether he has had time since, I know not, and who knows if any of your letters are actually getting through to the girls. Given the father's temperament, I would say not." He scratched his head. "If I were you, I would travel to see her. 'Tis obvious that you are suffering, Leon. At least, if you find out whether she still has feelings for you, you can act upon them."

"How?"

Jacques pulled a face. "If she truly loves you then she will tell her father and make him understand."

"She has already tried that. He is a fearsome man, one who demands respect."

"She could elope with you?"

"Would she do that? Forego the love of her father for me?" Leon shook his head. "I cannot see it, but if she loves me, and if her father is still determined to keep us apart, then it will be our only choice." Leon slammed his fist against one of the wooden posts, frustrated beyond measure. "If only I knew how she felt."

His thoughts were interrupted by a small reedy voice calling up from the bailey below, "My lords, is one of you named Leon?"

Leon looked down and saw a young lad staring up at them. He nodded. "Aye, what of it?"

He saw the boy give a broad smile. "I have a letter for you, my lord."

"Come up, lad. Go through the main gate and climb the steps to your right."

"I wonder where he is from? He is not our usual messenger from the king. Seems a bit too young, if you ask me."

A few minutes later, the boy appeared at the top of the steps. He was a little breathless and seemed quite nervous. He approached the two large knights and looked up at them in awe. He stared at Leon. "You are Leon Charbonneau?"

"Aye."

"I have travelled from Donald Canmore's dwelling." He gulped. "I have a letter for you from his daughter. I am to give it to no other. She said you would give me coin?"

He held the letter against his chest and his other palm out in front of him, waiting. Leon raised an eyebrow. Was this truly the letter he had been waiting for? He could hardly believe it. Jacques had already reached into his tunic to bring out a coin for the boy. He held it out in front of him, but when the boy went to take it, he stalled him.

"What is your name?"

"Thomas, my lord."

"Here, Thomas," He released his tight grip on the coin. "Before you return home, go and see Jethro in the kitchens. Tell him I said to give you a hot meal."

The boy's eyes lit up. "Thank you, my lord! 'Tis most kind." He took the coin and handed the note to Leon before scampering away.

Leon looked down at the letter, unsure whether he wanted to read the contents or not. What if Rhona rejected him?

"Well, open it, then. The suspense is driving me insane." Jacques declared.

Taking a deep breath, Leon broke the seal.

* * *

Rhona chewed her bottom lip nervously as she waited in the dark. Would Leon come? Thomas had assured her that he had handed her letter directly to him and no one else. But what if Leon no longer felt anything for her? Her heart was beating so fast, she could hardly breathe properly.

She looked up at the moon and judged the time to be nearly one in the morning, by its position. She had told Leon she would be at this spot, after midnight. She had chosen a rocky outcrop on the moorland, far enough away from the house as to not be heard, and sheltered from the fresh winds that could sometimes sweep across the open land.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her slim frame. Even though it was summer, the fresh night air was a little on the chilly side. A fox barked in the distance, its shrill voice echoing through the night.

Where was Leon? Mayhap she had missed him? Mayhap he truly did not wish to see her. Her father could be quite foreboding and she reasoned that Leon may have decided she was not worth the effort.

Her bottom lip pouted and her mood grew progressively more sombre as the minutes ticked by. Suddenly, she heard a noise. Staying completely still, she listened intently, her hand gripping the handle of her small blade, in case it was an uninvited wolf or bear. Her relief was palpable when she heard Leon's loud whisper, "Rhona?"

He had come! She moved forward cautiously. "Leon?"

She stepped forward into the light of the moon and his eyes fastened on her. In moments, they were together, his large arms wrapped around her, drawing her into his warmth. His lips captured hers, fierce and demanding, and she responded just as fervently, relishing the feel of his firm lips covering hers.

When they broke apart, they were a little breathless. He held her against his chest, stroking her silky hair. "You cannot know how happy I am to have received your letter, Rhona. I thought mayhap you no longer wanted me in your life."

Rhona pulled back and looked up at him, studying his handsome features in the moonlight. "I have never stopped loving you, Leon. Even though father has done his best to part us, I vow to never let it happen again."

"Strong words, my love, but we know your father burned my letters. He has no desire for us to marry. Time does not seem to have lessened his opinion."

"I care not," she spat. "I will tell him that I intend to marry you, no matter what he says."

"What if he says he never wants to see you again? Can you live with that?"

"If it means living with you, Leon, then, aye. He should have no objection; our countries are at peace. There is no reason for his disapproval. He is being unreasonable, and I will tell him so!"

"Mayhap we should tell him together?"

Rhona thought hard. "Nay, he is obstinate, and if he finds himself outnumbered, he will dig his heels in, even more." She took Leon's hand in her small one and began to lead him towards a big boulder beneath one of the trees. "I brought a blanket and some mead."

She unfolded the blanket and, between them, they laid it out on the mossy ground in front of the boulder. Rhona picked up the leather bottle containing the mead. Twisting the wooden top, she leaned her head back and took a deep draught before handing it to Leon. "It will keep us warm."

Leon's eyes glinted in the moonlight. "I have other ways of keeping you warm, my fair Rhona, but some mead would be welcome."

He took the bottle from her and, tipping his head back, took a deep draught, smacking his lips appreciatively as the heady liquid slipped down his throat. "Aye, that warms the soul." He placed the bottle on the ground and drew Rhona against his firm body.

Her breathing quickened, her passionate nature responding to his masculine touch.

She felt his fingers span the small of her back, his other hand entwined in her long hair, and then he kissed her. Firm, hard lips covering hers, demanding, yet gentle in their exploration. His tongue thrust against hers, sending shivers of desire through her slender frame.

This was what she needed. They were meant to be together, and no matter what her father said to the contrary, she knew her future lay with Leon.

She lay her fingers on his sleeve, feeling his strong muscles beneath the thin material of his tunic. His mouth moved lower, placing soft kisses on her chin and neck, his rough beard tickling the sensitive surface. She arched her back at the exquisite sensations.

Pulling away, he eased her down onto the blanket, his large body half covering hers as he lay beside her. Her hand rose up to cup his strong jaw and then his mouth founds hers, once again.

She responded fervently, her sensuous nature coming to the fore, hungering for his touch. Needing to feel him against her.

She felt his knee between her thighs, the warmth penetrating through her skirt and shift. She raised her leg, needing more but, in her innocence, not knowing what it was. His hand slid down her body, over her hip and down to the curve of her bottom, cupping the soft flesh against his hardened body.

His lips left hers, tracing a path down her neck to her bosom, kissing and nibbling the ripened flesh along the way. Her hands entwined in his hair, never wanting the exquisite feelings to end. He pulled on the fastenings of her corset and then his hot breath covered her nipple.

Rhona gasped as he teased the taut bud mercilessly before moving to the other. She writhed beneath him, revelling in the heady sensation, her body trembling and on fire for him.

She whimpered softly when his lips left her breasts, bereft at the loss. But then he moved lower and, pushing her skirts aside, he placed his hot mouth between her thighs.

"Leon!" she protested weakly, for although she knew she shouldn't allow him such liberties, her sensual nature took over. All coherent thoughts flew from her mind when he began to stroke her soft folds, his tongue laving the sensitive bud, setting a steady rhythm that soon had her rocking and arching to know more.

The intimacy evoked in her such an intense feeling of sweetness, she thought she would surely faint from pleasure. Her body began to climb, her limbs tightening, small beads of perspiration breaking out on her heated skin and then she lost all reason as her mind exploded with ecstasy. Soft cries escaped from her lips as she hovered on the edge of insanity. Never had she known such pleasure.

Slowly, her body came down from the heavens and she opened her eyes to find Leon leaning over her, his eyes regarding her steadily in the moonlight.

He stroked her cheek softly. "My sweet Rhona. You and I are meant for one another. I will not live without you."

"Nor I you. I will tell my father and get word to you." She was more determined than ever now to wed Leon. Her father would understand. He had to.

Leon lay on his back and pulled Rhona to his big body, cuddling her against him. She lay listening to his heart beat and looking up at the stars. Never had she been more content or more determined.

* * *

Donald Canmore looked at his daughter and frowned fiercely. Most men would cower under such a look but not his daughter. Nay, she possessed his own fiery spirit and, just as he was determined to make her see sense, she was equally determined to stand her ground.

"If you refuse to give me your consent to marry Leon then I shall elope with him and be damned!" she said angrily.

"Daughter!" exclaimed Hextilda, looking at Rhona askance. "Do not take that tone with your father!"

Rhona pursed her lips. "Wherefore will you not even consider a match between us? Leon is able to provide for me, and more to the point, I love him and he loves me. You are being unreasonable."

Donald shook his head. "'Tis not so much that he will provide for you, daughter, but where will you live? Down south? There is relative peace between Malcolm and William, at present, but that can change in the blink of an eye. I would not want you to be caught up in conflict and somewhere I cannot protect you."

"Father, you are worrying needlessly. We live in peace yet you find problems where there are none. Besides, Leon will keep me safe."

Donald sighed heavily. "Wherefore you cannot choose a local lad, I know not."

"My heart belongs to Leon, Father. I did not choose for it to happen, but it has. Prithee allow me to choose whom I marry? I am no babe in arms, I am twenty-one and know my own mind."

Her eyes bore into his, willing him to give in. She really didn't want to elope; it went against everything she had been taught but her love for Leon was too strong to ignore, and she would never give him up. They were meant to be together.

Suddenly, she saw a slight slackening in her father's posture. It was only subtle but she picked up on it, immediately. He was softening. It was all she needed.

Running to his side, she wrapped her arms around his broad frame and buried her head in his chest. "You will not regret this, Father."

She felt him sigh as he placed his arms around her. "I have not agreed to your marriage yet, daughter." When she went to protest, he lifted a hand to stall her. "But…I will agree to meet with him. Send word to him in Carlisle, and once I am satisfied that he will amply provide for you, only then, will I agree to let you go."

"He will make me happy, Father, you will see."

"If he does not, he will have me to deal with!"

Rhona heard the seriousness in his voice and wondered that any man would take what he said lightly. She smiled happily, realising that things were finally going in the right direction.

* * *

Two days later found Rhona pacing her bedroom, nibbling worriedly on a fingernail. Leon had received her note and was now ensconced in one of the rooms downstairs with her father. Oh, the suspense was driving her insane! What if Leon said something her father disagreed with? What if her father said something Leon disagreed with? Oh!

Heather entered her bedchamber and, taking one look at her face, walked over and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Do not fret so, Rhona. All will be well. I have heard no raised voices, which is surely a good sign."

"Aye." Rhona relaxed a little. "I have never wanted anything more in my life than this."

"Come and sit down. Your pacing to and fro will not aid your cause. Patience is what you need."

"And something I have very little of!" Rhona huffed but she did what her cousin suggested and threw herself backwards on the bed, staring up at the beams.

Heather sat on the end, sinking into the soft mattress. "I will miss you, when you leave," she said softly.

There was a sadness to Heather's voice and Rhona immediately assuaged it by saying, "I will not be far, cousin. Leon has suggested we make a home together in Carlisle, near the castle."

"Oh, that is such wondrous news, Rhona."

"Aye, I am glad for it. To be near you all will be wonderful." She frowned. "To live so far away would have been upsetting, but if it was the only way I could be with Leon, I would still have done it."

"I am not certain I would like to live down south."

Rhona's eyes twinkled. "What if Theo wished to marry you and move you there? What, then?"

Heather pulled a face. "I have not heard from him, so I very much doubt that would ever happen."

"Never say never. Besides, King William is encouraging people to live near the new castle. Not only will it need workers to maintain it, but I am certain that it will need many knights to protect its walls. Leon has already agreed to remain there and the king may command Theo to join him."

Heather's face lit up. "And of course, I will have to visit you often."

Rhona laughed. "You see. I have seen the way Theo looks at you; I would warrant his heart is already yours."

Heather's expression grew wistful. "He is so handsome."

A knock came upon the door and Hextilda entered. Before she could speak, Rhona jumped off the bed and rushed towards her. "Have they finished? What did Father say? Has he agreed?"

"Daughter, calm yourself." Her mother smiled at her whilst shaking her head. "Aye, they have finished speaking. Leon awaits you at the front of the house."

Running from the room, Rhona bounded down the stairs, practically flew through the front door and straight into Leon's waiting arms. He clasped her to him before kissing her soundly. Breaking apart, she asked, "Father has agreed?"

"Aye, I have been thoroughly interrogated and thankfully accepted. Your father is rather foreboding, is he not?"

Rhona laughed. "Aye. Come, we shall walk down to the lake and then you can kiss me properly, away from prying eyes."

Leon looked up and saw Bethoc, Alana and Heather all peering at them from one of the bedroom windows. "A splendid idea."

Placing her arm through his, Rhona walked away from the house, grinning from ear to ear. Soon, she would be wed, and she couldn't be happier.