Borderland Beauty (11 page)

Pulling her chin up, she affected a cool look. “I will be bound to no man.”

“‘Tis a shame, lass, for I am bound to you. The hold you have over me is surely far more than that of a marriage contract.”

Shaking her head, she drew back toward the door. “I thank you for the book,” she mumbled.

Leaping forward, Dominic strode over and snatched at her arm before she could escape. She sucked in a sharp breath as his fingers seared through her sleeve.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“What more can I say? I remain here at my mother’s behest. I know not what your fascination is with me, for you have surely met more beautiful, more accomplished women, so I can only assume that it is the thrill of the chase that drives you. I’d wager many women succumb to your charms readily, but let me assure you
Lord
Dominic, I am not one of them. I will not marry you. You would do better to forget this ridiculous contract and pursue another.”

Dominic cast his gaze over her, apparently considering her words. A sharp jolt of disappointment speared through her as he released his grip on her and stepped back.

Shaking his head, he chuckled unexpectedly. “You speak these words well, my lady, but your eyes betray you. I
shall
have you as my wife, Lucy Montgomery.”

~* * *~

Observing the flurry of her skirts, Dominic smothered his look of triumph as she darted one last glance towards him before hastening out of the solar. He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. God’s blood, that woman would be the death of him.

But she wanted him. He understood women well enough to know when one wanted him, and Lucy wanted him with a desperation that near matched his own. Any other man would have been discouraged at such words, but not him. What Dominic of Thornewall wanted, he got. And he wanted Lucy.

Slumping back into his chair, he dipped his quill in the ink and stared at the numbers in front of him. With a curse, he slapped the feather onto the desk and leaned back in his chair. Was she right? Was it merely the thrill of the chase?
You spoke of her heart
, a little voice whispered. Aye, he had. And everything he had uttered was true. More than anything, he aspired to hold her heart. Was this love? This twisted, agonising, consuming fascination with her. He could not be sure, but whatever it was, it was not something as fickle as some love game. As much as he wanted her in his bed, naked and crying his name, he wanted to get behind those quick eyes and soothe every worry, every fear that she had ever had.

Dominic pressed his fingers to his temples. So how would he capture his fair maiden’s heart? Usually a few sweet words, a couple of carefully timed caresses, and he would have his prize, but not so with Lucy. He was going to have to raise the stakes.

~* * *~

Lucy deliberately hurried her morning meal as Dominic’s words churned in her mind.

Her heart.

He spoke of her heart. What manner of seduction was this? Whatever it was, it was working. She had slept little after their confrontation.

Throwing back some ale, she crammed a chunk of bread into her mouth, keeping her head down as one of the servants eyed her with wonder. Without finishing her mouthful, she stood and nodded her thanks to the maid before hastening from the hall.

Glancing around, she walked across the snow-laden courtyard, her hands in her skirts, and ducked into the narrow recess that led to the chapel. She came to a sudden stop as an armoured chest blocked her path and she inhaled sharply, the remaining crumbs of bread sticking in her throat. She coughed and wheezed as Dominic eyed her with amusement before patting her on the back.

“You make your way to the chapel with great haste, lass. Have you done some terrible wrong that you dare not even finish your meal?”

She cleared her throat. “Good morrow, Dominic.” Drawing up her shoulders, she shook her head. “Nay, I only wish to offer up my prayers for those less fortunate. And for those who have sinned,” she added archly.

His lips tilted as he considered this. “Am I to assume you pray for me?”

“You assume much, my lord. But I pray for all those who have sins upon their soul.”

He leant forward with a slight smile. “Will you not cast aside your judgements, Luce? You have spent time enough with me these past days to see past the idle gossip of frivolous ladies. I regret my behaviour those many summers ago, you should not have had to endure it, but surely you can see I am not the same arrogant youth?”

Tilting her head up to meet his gaze, she narrowed her eyes at him. “You are no longer a youth, that much is true, but as for arrogance? I see no change.”

“Mayhap, you are right. If I see something I want, I get it. Always. You may count that as arrogance, lass, though other women may think it strength of character.”

“Other women? I am sure they have much to say on your character, though I doubt it to be to do with the strength of it.”

Dominic edged closer, forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him. Her throat tightened as his wide torso bore down on her, made all the more intimidating by his heavy hauberk and leather armour.

“You care a great deal about the ‘other women’. ‘Tis odd when you profess to care little about my affairs.”

“I care not what you do. You are a free man and may lie with whomever you choose.”

His lips slanted into a wry smile. “And yet the mere mention of other women sparks anger in your eyes. I told you before, your eyes give you away. ‘Tis more than indignation that ignites the fire in your eyes, ‘tis jealousy.”

“Jealousy?” she spluttered. “Why should I be jealous?”

As he leaned closer, Lucy edged away, gasping with surprise as her back hit the cold stone wall. With nowhere to escape, Dominic moved closer still, bringing his mouth to her ear. His cheek brushed hers and she shuddered as his breath swept over her.

She supposed she could probably shove him away but her hands would not cooperate and instead clung to the stone, as if the rock could somehow provide her with the strength needed to deny him.

So easy.
It would be so easy just to turn her head and kiss him. It would take only the smallest of movement. His lips grazed her exposed neck, so briefly that she would not have been sure it happened were it not for the scalding imprint his mouth left.

“You are jealous because you wish to be one of those ladies,” he breathed into her ear.

She gulped and shook her head but any words of protest died on her lips as his hand came up to the other side of her neck and curled domineeringly around it.

He kissed her ear. “But ‘twill not happen.” He kissed again as she frowned. “For you would not be just one of those ladies.” His lips sealed around her lobe, nipping briefly at it and extracting a choked cry from her. “You would be the
only
lady.”

“Oh…” she moaned as Dominic’s mouth pressed to her jaw. He did not seek her lips but instead let his kisses trail along her cheek to the corner of her mouth.

Unable to bear it any longer, Lucy jolted towards him and their lips met with the lightest of touches. Her nails dug into the wall behind her and her eyes fluttered closed as a rumble of appreciation emanated from Dominic. An inferno of longing assailed her, but Dominic kissed her lightly as if savouring a delicacy. The back of his free hand danced over her cheek, his fingers caressing carefully, as if she might bolt at any moment. If she only could. She was a prisoner of her desire for him.

When she realised he would take the kiss no further, she grabbed at his neck and pushed her lips hard against his. Dominic growled and immediately took her lip between his teeth, nibbling until she surrendered her mouth entirely to him and his kiss consumed her.

Dominic wrapped his arms around her, his fingers bunching the fabric of her gown. Her mind reeled at the feel of his strong embrace as his tongue swept into her mouth urgently. Her nails dug into his neck in an attempt to bring him closer but he didn’t seem to care.

A giggle reached Lucy’s ears and she pulled sharply back and stared at him. What was she doing? Had she lost her mind? She glanced around but could see no sign of where the giggle had come from. Dominic’s harsh breaths blew against her skin as he kept his arms locked tightly around her waist. His mouth lost its permanently amused tilt and his eyes reflected a tenuous determination.

“Dominic,” she whispered hoarsely, “release me.”

His jaw ticked as his eyes remained fixed on her. “Nay.”

“Dominic…” she protested with a wriggle.

“I fear I cannot. How many rejections can a man be expected to take? Should I let you go, then I can surely expect you to refute your feelings for me once more. But here in my arms you can deny me naught. I should keep you close forevermore, I think.”

“Do not be…” She drew in a ragged breath. “Do not be foolish.”

Oh, why did staying beside him for an eternity sound so good? She was the fool. She would only end up heartbroken when he tired of her. Shoving feebly against his chest, he relented as he noted her tears of frustration. She blinked them away as she stumbled back from him.

Jaw tight, Dominic’s fist curled by his side. When he saw Lucy’s gaze on it, he released it quickly with a sigh. “Some of the ladies are going to the market this morn, I thought you may wish to join them.”

“Oh.” Her throat closed over as she took in his cold expression. “Oh, aye, I should like that.”

“Good. I shall arrange an escort. Good day, my lady.” He gave her a careful bow and strode away, leaving her to watch the swing of his cloak as he vanished around the corner.

Pressing herself against the stone, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She had done it. Surely she had. Dominic had lost interest in her. It was what she wanted. So why did her heart ache at the thought of never feeling his lips on hers again? She touched a finger to them. Ack, women like her were not meant to be with men like Dominic. Memories would have to be enough.

Chapter Seven

Skimming a finger over some thick velvet, Lucy glanced as a juggler skipped by and laughed as he threw his clubs towards her, only to snatch them back at the last minute. The other women walked arm in arm as Lucy lagged behind. The younger girls were sweet enough, but to them Lucy was far too old to join in with their conversations and she didn’t exactly feel up to joining in with their gossip. Especially as she was sure it was one of them that spotted her and Dominic together that morning.

The streets of Thornewall were busy. Merchants and customers from surrounding villages all braved the snow to buy and sell. The bakers relit their ovens and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.

A vendor proffered a bowl of figs for her to try and she took one with a smile. The scrawny man watched her with hope as she bit into the juicy fruit and with a roll of her eyes, she bought a little bag.

Dodging past some pigs as a peasant herded them through the street, Lucy peeked at their escort to ensure he followed. She spied another fabric stall and made her way over to it. She smiled feebly at the merchant as he greeted her eagerly. Ack, even shopping could not distract her. The memory of Dominic’s lips upon hers remained and, worse of all, the look in his eyes as he’d left her seared into her heart. She stroked at some blue silk, thinking how very close it was in colour to Dominic’s eyes.

A shrill scream rang out and her head snapped around. The guard must have heard it too as he froze and drew out his sword. The bustle of the market ground to a halt and Lucy shuddered as a chill threaded its way down her spine.

Another scream.

A different woman this time. And now it was followed by the hammering of hooves. A surge of villagers rounded the corner and in an instant chaos reigned. Lucy watched detachedly as merchants scurried for cover in the tight alleyways and villagers ran for the safety of the keep.

Hazily, she realised their guard was shouting to her as he pressed the young ladies into the door of a cottage but it was too late. A stampede of horses stormed up the road, their rugged riders swinging their swords without prejudice, swiping at the beams holding up the stalls and anyone in their way.

What was happening? Lucy gaped as they bore down upon her. Only when a child darted out from under a stall, did she react, barrelling towards the child and scooping the boy into her arms. She flung herself between two cottages as the horses thundered past. Clutching the wriggling child, she curled her quaking body around him until the hooves and whoops of men passed.

Forcing her breathing to slow, she scrambled to her feet, the boy still in her arms, and peered around the building. Sweet Mary, Thornewall was under attack and from the looks of them, it was reivers. She glanced down at the squirming child and tried to hush him but the boy bit her hand and she released him with a yelp.  He ran off and she hurried after him but he quickly disappeared into the jumble of houses.

Lucy took in the destruction, numbly gazing around at the crumpled stalls as she wrapped her arms around herself. She could see no sign of her guard but the ladies and a few peasants remained, peering cautiously out from their hiding spots. Glancing up towards the keep, she saw the men of Thornewall storming down the hill to mount a defence. Her heart jumped into her throat when she realised Dominic would be leading the attack.
Dear Lord, please watch over him.

What should she do now? Shuddering as screams rang out, she urged the group of people forward. “Come now, we must make for the safety of the keep. Make haste,” she ordered, surprised by how calm her voice sounded.

~* * *~

Dominic thrust his heels into the mount. Peasants flowed past him, making their way to the safety of the keep. He cursed as he watched for Lucy’s face. Damned reivers. If anything happened to her…

He couldn’t believe they were risking open warfare. The reivers must be getting desperate. Hell’s teeth, he knew they were getting bolder. He should have been prepared.

Screams emanated from the centre of the village and Dominic fought the urge to push through the panicking villeins as sweat prickled under his gloves. He drew out his sword as the crowd thinned and the sound of hooves neared. His men followed suit and they picked up their pace.