Autumn 1092…

Two months later, Rhona's wish came true. She was now married to Leon Charbonneau. The wedding ceremony had been brief, overseen by her local priest, something her mother had desired. Leon had presented her with a beautifully engraved gold ring and a matching brooch, as proof of his love.

They had feasted on plate after plate of wonderfully cooked food, all overseen by her dearest mother, who had done everything she could to ensure her eldest daughter's wedding was celebrated as best she could provide.

Now, Rhona sat in front of her husband on his large horse as they rode to Carlisle, along with several of his men. She looked down at the fine jewellery and twisted the ring around her finger, a satisfied smile on her face.

She felt his lips against the side of her neck and his breath ruffle her hair as he asked, "My fair Rhona. You are happy?"

"Aye, husband." It felt wonderful to be able to call him that. She lay her head back against him and tilted her head so she could see his face. "And you?"

"Aye, you are all I desire." He smiled, his blue eyes dark and intense. He leaned closer and in a hushed whisper against her ear, so only she could hear, added, "And I cannot wait to have you in my bed."

Rhona almost swooned as a rush of desire ripped through her. He had already shown her the delights of courtship; she could not wait to truly become his.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by an arrow whizzing past her head. Before she could fathom what was happening, Leon brought his horse to a standstill and quickly dismounted.

Reaching up, he placed his hands around her waist and, in seconds, she was on the ground. "Stay close to me!" he ordered.

They were on a narrow track through a forest, and whoever was firing at them, was well hidden from view.

Another arrow flew over their heads, embedding into a tree trunk behind them with a loud thud. Then another. Rhona gulped as she looked 'round and saw how deeply the arrows were buried in the tree. Someone wanted them dead.

Theo and the other knights had already dismounted and, together, they formed a group, swords at the ready and two bowmen ready to return fire at Leon's command.

"What holds?" Theo hissed.

"'Tis an ambush!" Leon said, his tone low.

"From whom? The Scots? I thought we were supposed to be at peace?" he queried.

"It would seem we were wrong."

Another arrow flew through the air and landed in the ground in front of them with such force, the shaft quivered alarmingly.

Leon eyed it, his face grim. "Let loose!" he ordered the archers, pointing in the same direction from whence the arrows had come.

Rhona heard a distant cry of pain and then, suddenly, the air was filled with shouts of anger. She peered from behind Leon's broad frame to witness several motley figures appearing from the forest, running through the undergrowth, straight towards them.

She gulped and looked around for something to defend herself with. If only she had her bow and arrow to hand, but it was in one of the chests with her other belongings that had already been despatched to Carlisle.

Quickly eyeing the ground, she reached down and picked up a rock. About the size of her palm, it would inflict damage, if need be. Holding it tightly in her hand, she remained close to her husband, who was doing his best to shield her.

Leon's archers fired again, their arrows neatly reaching their approaching targets and felling two of them, instantly. Before they had a chance to re-arm, the remaining attackers had reached them. Leon pushed Rhona into the arms of one of his guards. "Protect her with your life!"

He quickly turned back, his sword raised and began to ward off the attackers with the help of Theo and another one of his men.

"Norman bastards!" one of the aggressors cried.

"Aye, we are Norman. Wherefore do you attack us?" Leon demanded.

"You don't belong here! Go back down south—you are nae wanted here!"

"Wanted or not, we remain. Begone, before we kill all of you," Leon warned him.

"Nae, this is our land. We will kill you!" At that, the man sliced his sword through the air.

Rhona hardly dare look. The noise of clashing steel on steel was terrifying but she found her eyes compelled to do just that. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched them. Leon was magnificent, his huge arms swinging down his broad sword with practised ease. His power far outweighed the assailants and, a little while later, the skirmish was over with.

Leon pressed his foot into his opponent's chest, pinning him to the floor and placed his sword at the base of his throat. "Admit defeat!"

"Nae, never! Norman scum!"

"Very well. 'Tis the dungeon for you, mon ami!" Leon growled.

Theo had dispatched his attacker with one clean slice to the neck. The other man had been overpowered by the archers and lay cursing on the ground, his hands captured behind his back.

Leon ordered that both men be tied up and secured to the horses. As for the others, they would be buried in a shallow grave by the side of the track. Their loved ones, if they had any, would be able to come back to retrieve their bodies at a later date.

Whilst Theo and the guards were digging the ground, Leon took Rhona in his arms. "I am truly sorry you had to witness that, my love."

She was still gripping the stone tightly in her hand and, seeing it, he gently opened her hand and threw it on the ground. "You were brave but 'tis over now."

He stroked her hair. "The sooner I get you home to Carlisle, the better."

She leaned against his broad chest and welcomed the comforting feel of his arms around her. To be loved by such a man was beyond measure and something she would never take lightly.

Peering from Leon's embrace, she looked upon the new prisoners. One had his eyes fixed on her, anger emanating from his dark eyes. She shivered, wondering why he was looking at her with such derision. Did he think her a Norman and hold her in the same contempt as he did the men? Whatever it was, it sent shivers of fear up her spine.

She held his gaze for a few moments longer before turning her head away, thankful that he was tied up and no longer a threat.

* * *

Reaching Carlisle, an hour later, the light was beginning to wane. Rhona was exhausted, mentally more than physically, and couldn't wait to get inside the sanctity of the castle. Leon left his horses in the care of the stable hands in the bailey and quickly led Rhona towards the keep. Theo and the other men saw to the two prisoners.

The guards outside the main door greeted Leon enthusiastically, proving he was obviously well liked by his men.

Ushering Rhona inside, Leon led her through a long corridor and then up a wooden staircase which opened up into a large hall.

She looked around with interest, taking in her new surroundings. The hall was quite big, with a lovely warm fire burning in a raised stone pit in the middle of the hall, several long tables and an ornate tapestry on one wall. To one side, there was another wooden staircase and Leon indicated she should follow him up the stairs.

Through another door and they were in Leon's room. There was a large four poster bed to one side, covered in warm furs and surrounded by thick curtains. A small raised fire in the middle, a small table and two chairs and not much else.

"Tis a little sparse, Leon, is it not?" Rhona remarked, pulling a face.

He drew her into his arms. "Aye, 'tis but newly built. It needs a woman's touch, someone to add comforts and fripperies that I know little about."

Rhona raised an eyebrow. Now she knew why her father wanted her to know about embroidery as well as she knew archery!

"Do you think my belongings have arrived?" she asked.

Leon frowned. "Aye, they should be here. The kitchens and storeroom are on the ground floor. I will arrange to have them brought up and organise a bath for us both, at the same time. Are you hungry?"

Rhona nodded.

"Then, I shall also see what food is available."

He left the room and Rhona wandered over to the bed, running her hands over the soft furs. Tonight, she would become a woman. Would it hurt? Her mother had told her to expect a little discomfort at first, but once over, there would be only pleasure.

She worried her bottom lip. She loved Leon so much. He had already shown her such wondrous pleasures; she could only hope that she would be able to give him the same. He re-entered the room, accompanied by two men carrying her trunk of belongings and a young girl carrying a tray of food and drink.

"Place the trunk over there," Leon said to the men. They did as ordered and then straightened up, eyeing Rhona inquisitively, whilst the maid placed the tray down on the table.

Leon walked over to Rhona and led her towards the staff. "Allow me to introduce your new mistress and my wife, the lady Rhona."

Each of them nodded and murmured politely, "My lady."

"Tis lovely to meet you all. What are your names?" Rhona enquired, hoping to make them at ease, although, in all fairness, she was most probably more nervous than they were.

"Bremmer, my lady, and this is my son, Jamie."

"Lisette, my lady."

"Lisette will be your personal maid," Leon explained.

Rhona took an instant liking to her. Her eyes were kind and her smile seemed genuine. Lisette pointed to the tray. "The cook put a selection of meats on a platter for you, my lady, and some bread. There is also some wine and fruit."

"Thank you."

Lisette turned to Leon. "When should you like the tub brought up, my lord?"

"Shortly. I shall call for you."

Lisette nodded her head and the three servants left, closing the door behind them.

Leon walked over to the table and pulled out a chair, looking to Rhona as he did so. "My lady, your feast awaits." He bowed slightly, causing Rhona to laugh.

"Thank you, my lord."

She took the proffered seat and he quickly joined her. "Our first meal in our new home." He poured out the wine into two goblets and handed her one. "May it be the first of many."

A while later, the wooden bath tub had been placed by the central fire, and after several trips to and from the kitchens by the staff, it was now ready for them to bathe in. Rhona eyed the water longingly, watching the tendrils of steam rise up to the ceiling. She turned to find Leon's eyes upon her.

"Shall you bathe first, or shall I, my lord?" she asked him.

"We shall bathe together."

Rhona looked at the tub again and then back to her husband. "At the same time? I fear you are too big, my lord."

"Mayhap, but I aim to find out." He chuckled. "Come, I shall assist you with your clothing." He placed his hands on her bodice and began to unfasten the material, at the same time placing his lips against hers. Rhona swayed, her body instantly responding to his touch and she had to place her hands on his biceps to steady herself. Ripples of desire shot through her slender body, hardly noticing her clothes dropping to the floor.

When she was fully naked, Leon took her hand and she stepped into the warm bath water. Slowly, she slid down into its welcoming depths and closed her eyes with pleasure. "Oh, this is heavenly, Leon."

She heard him hastily remove his clothing, flinging his boots across the floor in his haste to join her. When she opened them, he was already stepping into the water. She moved a little to accommodate him as he lowered himself behind her.

Fully in, he moved his hands around her hips and drew her between his legs. Rhona gasped when she felt his hard appendage against her bottom. Hearing her gasp, Leon leaned down and kissed her neck softly. "Aye, my fair Rhona. See what you do to me?" he growled.

In answer, Rhona moved her bottom a little. She heard his sharp intake of breath and smiled wickedly to herself. Her worries of not being able to please him quickly disappearing. His hands moved to cup her breasts and her nipples instantly hardened, tightening to taut rosy peaks. The combination of his lips against the sensitive skin on her neck and his large calloused hands on her breasts, made Rhona sigh aloud with a longing for something more.

Leon's hand slid down over her softly rounded belly and then to cup her feminine mound. He pushed his middle finger between her soft folds and Rhona parted her thighs, needing more. Slowly, he began to move his finger in circles over her sensitive nub, all the while kissing and licking her neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive surface. As her sighs increased, so his pace quickened until, with a small cry of ecstasy, Rhona's body exploded in a riot of colours. The feeling was heavenly.

Leon reached for a cloth and, dipping it into the water, he began to wash her, ordering her to lift her arms, one by one, as he sluiced the water down her body.

"I could get used to this, my lord," Rhona breathed throatily, enjoying his ministrations.

"As could I," Leon agreed. Rhona felt his cock twitch against her bottom and curiously slipped her hand around to feel it. Her small hand encased the thick shaft. As she did so, she heard his sharp intake of breath before his hand covered hers.

"I fear, if you continue, I will lose all control, my love. Go and dry yourself by the fire and I shall join you in a moment."

Rhona released her grip and, doing as he bid, rose up from the water and stepped out of the tub. Wrapping herself in a linen cloth, she walked to the fire and began to dry her body, all the while unashamedly letting her eyes wander over her husband's superb form.

He was magnificent. From his handsome face to his muscular limbs, Rhona already adored every part of him. Her eyes moved back up to find him staring right back at her. His eyes smouldered with desire—a desire she returned in full.

Lifting himself up out of the tub, he reached for a cloth and began to dry himself. Quickly running the cloth over his wet form, he only accomplished half before he swept Rhona against him. His lips claimed hers, demanding and virile.

Rhona returned his kiss fervently, her hands creeping up his shoulders to clasp around his neck. With a low growl, Leon picked her up and strode to the bed.

Laying her down on the coverlet, Leon claimed her lips once more, his mouth devouring hers, tasting her sweet breath. She arched her back, her fingers clasping the strong arms that held her. She had waited so long for this moment and she welcomed his every touch, his every caress.

She felt his fingers move to her rounded breasts. The feeling was exquisite, even more so when his mouth left hers and his hot tongue seared her rosy nipple, his teeth grazing across the sensitive peak.

His tongue moved lower still, licking and teasing wherever it touched. Past her navel and then parting her legs with both hands, he lifted her against his hot mouth.

"Leon!" she gasped, still a little shocked at such intimacy. But all thoughts of stopping him flew from her mind when his tongue began to thrust against her glistening folds. Her body trembled against him but now she could deny him nothing. She was on fire for him.

Soft sighs escaped her parted lips, becoming more and more throaty as she began to soar, her virgin body beginning to peak. She gasped his name when she reached her pinnacle, her slim hands entwining in his thick hair, holding him closer still.

Leon rose upwards, his eyes dark with desire, covering her body with his. Rhona reached up and placing her hand behind his neck, pulled him down to kiss her. Whatever he had just awakened in her, she wanted more.

Her hands ran over his strong muscles, revelling in the feel of his hardened, hair-roughened body.

Leon pressed her down into the mattress, his kiss deepening. She felt him grasp her hips and then the hard heat of him rest against her thighs. He broke their kiss and breathed, "This may hurt a little, my love, but it will last only a moment."

Before she had time to wonder, he flexed his hips and pushed into her bit by bit until he was deeply embedded inside her tight warmth. He paused to give her time to adjust and then claiming her lips once more, he began to pump his hips against hers. The brief pain she had felt quickly disappeared, replaced with only exquisite pleasure. With each stroke of his thick weapon, she felt a pressure began to build up inside her again, her body quickening with each thrust of his hips. She felt his muscles tighten, his body straining for release.

Their flesh seemed to melt together, heat upon heat, skin against skin. His hips moved faster, pumping vigorously against her until, with one last thrust, he reached his climax, holding her tightly as the pleasure washed over him. Her own body responded, sending wave after wave of liquid heat to her very core.

Locked together, neither moved, too replete after their love-making and having no desire to break apart from one another.

Rhona felt Leon soften inside her and, slowly, he eased himself to her side, drawing her against his solid chest with one hand and pulling the fur coverlet up with the other.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

"In all truth, mayhap a little, but it did not last long. After that, it was wondrous."

"The next time, I promise there will only be pleasure." He kissed her softly. "Did I tell you that I love you?"

Rhona smiled. "Aye, but tell me again, for I will never tire of hearing it."

He gathered her against him and, together, they fell asleep. Whatever discontent the future held between Scotland and England, at least, here, in each other's embrace, all could be forgotten, secure in their love for one another.