Borderland Beauty (2 page)

“Then an alliance with Montgomery will certainly do no harm. Mayhap with your combined power, you can put an end to the reiver threat once and for all.”

Rubbing a hand across his brow, Dominic took the missive from Jake and glanced over it again. His brother was right. He did need a wife, and an alliance with Montgomery would aid him in his campaign against the Northumbrian border reivers. Thornewall was no easy demesne to manage with its vast size and proximity to the Scottish border. And a wife to keep an eye on things while he was away would be a great help.
And
he had need of an heir. But so far he had not found a lass that would be up to the task. Aside from Izzy…

He studied Jake once more with twist of his lips. His brother did look weary, but no more than any other lovesick man whose wife kept him up at night. It was good to see him so content, especially after everything his first wife had inflicted upon him.

Laughing inwardly, he imagined the indomitable Isabel leading his giant of a brother around. She was a fine woman. He had thought himself half in love with her for a while, but when he saw the love between his brother and his wife, he realised he had no idea what love was. He probably wouldn’t ever find out, either, if he married Montgomery’s daughter, the mysterious woman that she was. Ack, hopefully she wouldn’t be too ill-favoured.

~* * *~

The hall doors swung open and Dominic’s captain, James, strode in as a heavy-set man followed on his heels. Dominic came to his feet and offered Montgomery a reserved smile. He was not prone to nervousness, but the knowledge that this man held his future in his hands caused his palms to prick with sweat. He had been lord since he was seventeen and he was not used to others controlling his life.

Montgomery regarded him with a guarded expression, as if weighing him up. Dominic did the same, casting his gaze over the wide-shouldered man as he offered him a bow. The old lord was tall, with a thick waist, but he retained the look of a warrior, with worn leather armour stretched across his chest.

“My lord,” Dominic greeted him.

“Thornewall.” The fair-haired lord gave him a brusque nod, leaving Dominic in no doubt that Montgomery did not intend to concede any power to him.

The look in the lord’s eyes assured him that the man was fully aware that he had complete control over him. Dominic bit back the curses that sat on his tongue and covered them with another smile.

Dominic motioned to the trestle table that ran across the raised dais. “Will you take a drink?”

“I thank you, but I will wait for the women to join us. They are readying their belongings.”

“Aye.” And Montgomery no doubt ordered them to remain behind while they discussed the marriage contract. Dominic ran a hand over his hair. “I must ask why it is that I have not met your daughter before.”

“You have, many years before, though she is not…the same as she was then. You would likely not recognise her. She is a quiet sort of lass and prefers to remain in Tyneridge.”

Dominic considered this. Her being a quiet woman didn’t bother him, as long as she could perform her duties, but he’d rather hoped for someone with a strong character. A weak woman might not be able to bear the burden of being his wife and all the responsibilities that came along with it. And why should he not recognise her? Montgomery was hiding something, and Dominic didn’t like it one bit. He fixed Montgomery with a bold stare. “Why have you not pushed for our betrothal?”

The man snorted. “You are straight to the point, I’ll give you that.” Montgomery paused and glanced out of the window before turning his attention back to Dominic. “It may seem odd to you, but my daughter is precious to me. She nearly died as a babe and I would do aught for her. I have watched you grow into a fine leader, Thornewall, but you have a repute that is hard to ignore. I would not subject my daughter to that.”

Dominic smirked inwardly. Aye, he knew well of his repute. He was no saint, but the rumours that surrounded him were beyond laughable at times. Bedding French royalty, sordid affairs at court…Ack, he’d had successes enough, but he never bedded married women or seduced innocent virgins. All his bedmates had been willing participants, and they always parted amicably.

“So why now?”

Montgomery stroked at his grey-streaked beard. “I wish not for my daughter to be lonely, I am no young man. I would like to at least give her the chance at a betrothal. Frankly, she would make a fine wife. She is a beauty, but I would wish for her to find a man that sees her true worth. My daughter is a spirited, intelligent woman and will take much courting. If you could be that man, then I would gladly offer you her hand. If you be false, then I would rather my daughter remain unmarried.”

“I will make her no promise that I cannot keep.”

“Said like a true diplomat.”

“I promise I will not be false. In spite of my repute, ‘tis not in my nature to deceive a lady. I shall take her as I find her.”

Montgomery nodded sagely. “Aye, well that is all I can ask. But pray do not tell her of this contract, she will—”

Dominic held up his hand. “Wait, she does not yet know of this contract?”

Shifting awkwardly, Montgomery clasped his hands behind his back, pushing his ample stomach forward. “She does not. And I have no intention of telling her…yet. My daughter is…headstrong and will does not take well to being told what to do. Just as you have promised to take her as you find her, I hope she will do the same for you.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dominic sighed. Christ, what had he let himself in for? First she was shy, now she was headstrong. What sort of a woman was this?

“She would not take well to you, should she know of the contract,” Montgomery continued.

“And when shall you tell her of it? On our wedding day? I take no pleasure in deception, Montgomery.”

His eyes hardened, reminding Dominic of the accomplished warrior that sat behind that portly belly.

“Nor I,” he grated out. “Particularly not when the deception involves my daughter but if I can see this contract fulfilled and secure the happiness of my daughter, then I will. I would wish to honour you mother’s wishes.”

“My mother wanted this?”

“Aye, well, we all did. ‘Twould be no bad thing to have our lands joined, but your mother was the one that pushed for it. Ack, Lord knows she was the wisest of us all, so mayhap she knew what she was doing.”

Dominic nodded slowly. He could not very well deny his mother’s wishes. Though he was only a child when the plague took her, he remembered well her kind, gentle temperament. He would have to at least give this lass a chance.

“As you will, then. I will say naught of the contract, and if your daughter will have me, I will consider making her mistress of Thornewall.”

A look of relief swept over the man’s face as his shoulders dropped, and Dominic had to keep himself from laughing. It was almost as if the old warrior feared his daughter. He wondered what it was about the lass that generated such a reaction.

Ack, well, it would take more than a stubborn lassie to cow him. He knew women, and he knew how to handle them. If he found her pleasing, he would surely be able to charm her around to his way of thinking before long. And then the marriage contract would be a nice little surprise for her.

Slapping a hand on Montgomery’s back, Dominic gave him a grin. “Come then, shall we meet this fine daughter of yours?”

Chapter Two

The women approached on horseback, escorted by a handful of guards. The mound the keep sat on was too steep for carriages and Dominic preferred it that way. He could not stomach the pretensions of noble folk.

Both riders wore thick, dark mantles to protect them from the cold, so he could not tell which was his betrothed, but one was certainly shorter, so he suspected it was her. Just a lock of fair hair escaped the hood, but he could not make out her features.

The guards parted as they came through the gatehouse and the taller rider led the way, partially hiding the other woman. His feet twitched and he fought the urge to peer around her. Christ, it was like waiting for an execution. If he could only see the damn lass that he would likely have to marry.

Montgomery stepped forward to help what Dominic was now sure was his wife and he hurried forward to assist his future bride down. A slender, pale hand thrust out and he took it unthinkingly. His heart rebounded unexpectedly against his ribcage as she curled her fingers around his hand and he stared at their linked hands for a moment. Somewhere behind him, Montgomery coughed and Dominic shook his head, reaching up to take her other hand.

The bundle of black wool slid from her saddle and he gawped as a flash of creamy skin slipped past him, barely concealed by the heavy broach on her mantle. Snapping his eyes up, he stepped back with a bow.

“My lady.”

She pushed down her hood and greeted him with a cool smile. “My lord.”

His mouth dried as he took her in. She appeared younger than her years, with smooth skin and elegant cheekbones. Dark lashes surrounded her hazel eyes, but it was her lips that drew him in. Hell’s teeth, such sensual lips in such an innocent face were entirely unexpected. Wide and pale, her bottom lip was fuller than the top, giving the appearance of having just been thoroughly kissed.

As if aware of where his thoughts were running, the tip of her tongue darted out and licked at her bottom lip before she pulled it between her teeth. His blood heated as a craving like no other curled through him.

Montgomery hastened up to them, a scowl etched on his brow. It was not surprising. Dominic had just ignored every propriety and was now eyeing his daughter as if he wanted to take her in the middle of the courtyard. Which, actually, wasn’t far from what he was imagining…

Blinking, he pulled his gaze from her, long enough to register the presence of Lady Eleanor Montgomery, a slender woman with dark hair, partially hidden behind a veil. She was quite the contrast to her heavy-set, pale husband. She gave him a regal curtsey and Dominic returned it with a bow.

“Greetings, my lady, welcome to Thornewall. We have gone too long without the pleasure of your company.”

She granted him a wide smile. “Thank you, my lord. We are all looking forward to sharing in the Christmas festivities here at Thornewall.”

Dominic considered her, and the mild twinkle that sat in her gaze that hinted at a more playful temperament than her regal bearing implied. “As am I, my lady.”

Eleanor wrapped her arms around her daughter’s shoulders and urged her forward. “And my daughter is most happy to be here. Are you not, my love?”

The lass’s jaw clenched in a barely concealed effort to hide her annoyance at her mother’s attentions. “Indeed, most happy.”

Dominic’s lips twitched at her dry tone along with his loins. Her voice was husky and it rolled over him like warm mead. God’s blood, everything about the lass was designed to entice a man. Montgomery had said she did not enjoy festivities, and it was clear she was not happy at being coaxed along, but he would soon change that. Aye, before long Lucy Montgomery would be glad indeed that she came to Thornewall. He would make sure of it.

~* * *~

Her heart hammered as Dominic grinned at her before holding out his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

Gulping, Lucy nodded as she curled her fingers carefully over the top of his hand. A prickling heat shot through her, but by some miracle she managed to control her reaction. Exactly the same thing happened when he helped her down from her mount and she was sure he noticed how it startled her. Surely that would account for the odd look on his face as he had studied her.

Flicking a sideways peek at him, she forced herself to take long, slow breaths. Sweet Mary, he had grown handsome these eight summers. He kept his thick, chestnut hair drawn back from his face, but some of it still hung down past his collar, brushing his shoulders. It drew attention to the strong cut of his smooth jawline and near perfect profile. His lips remained curved into a slight smile, as if amused by everything, and his blue eyes reflected that same merriment.

Lucy stiffened at the thought. Did he find her amusing? She had been on the end of enough teasing once before, she did not relish the thought being the recipient of his jesting…again.

Her shoes brushed through the soft layer of snow and she could hear her mother and father following behind as Dominic led them across the courtyard, but it was the sound of Dominic’s clothes swishing and his boots crunching that dominated her senses. That, and the feel of his work-roughened hand underneath hers.

A look from him told her that he noticed her observation and he gave her a flash of a smile. Lucy snapped her head away and concentrated on taking in her surroundings. She would be damned if she would add to his arrogance.

The great walls of Thornewall rose up about them, cocooning the large courtyard. She had spent time here as a young girl once but she did not remember it seeming so intimidating before. Everything about Thornewall Keep spoke of the wealth and power of its owner, from the huge towers to the expansive hall that sat in front of them with its huge carved doors and wide upper windows.

She jumped as Dominic spoke suddenly, breaking through her observations. “I meant what I said, my lady, I am glad to have you joining us for the celebrations at Thornewall.”

Lucy kept her gaze fixed ahead. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Pray call me Dominic.”

“I would rather not, my lord.”

Lifting her skirts, she allowed him to lead her up the stairs to the hall door. She stumbled a little on the steps and Dominic snatched at her arm, keeping her upright. She fought the urge to curse aloud and kept her gaze on the great doors of the hall, hoping he couldn’t see her embarrassment. He paused and faced her as a watchman pushed open the door.

“May I call you Lucy?”

She flicked her eyes up and down him dismissively but it had little effect. The teasing smile remained. “If you must.”

“I must, Lucy.”

She shuddered as he murmured her name. Coming from his lips, it sounded so…so sinful. Lord knows, the man was the very definition of sin itself. A devilishly handsome face with a body to match and a reputation that was downright wicked.