Reina's cerulean eyes blazed with scorn as they fell upon the golden giant of a man who stood before her.This was the knight Ranulf, her kidnapper, who was pledged to deliver her into the worst kind of bondage - marriage to the craven Lord Rothwell.

But Reina was no acquiescent girl to accept fate's whim.To save herself from the union being forced upon her, she offered Ranulf a bargain - 'Become my husband yourself.In exchange for your protection, I will make you a great lord.'

The nuptial bed was not intended to be part of the bargain.But the haughty Ranulf soon made it clear that he would accept no marriage of convenience - 'Come to me of your own free will - or I will take you!'