Borderland Beauty (10 page)

Lucy was the lass for him.

By the time they reached the hall, the rider had dismounted and joined Montgomery. He handed him a missive and the guests fell silent as they awaited the outcome. Lucy barely allowed a moment for Dominic to help her with her cloak before hurrying to her father's side, her eyes wide with worry. Montgomery screwed the paper up in his hands, his jaw tight.

“What’s wrong, Father?” Lucy asked.

“The damned reivers,” he hissed between gritted teeth.

Dominic cursed. “They’ve attacked your lands?”

“Aye, and killed a few villeins.” Montgomery eyed him gravely. “They’re getting worse, Thornewall. They’re getting bolder. If we don’t put an end to this, then God only knows what we’ll do.”

“Aye, we do need to put an end to this,” Dominic agreed. “You have my sword should you need it.”

Montgomery nodded. “My thanks. First, I must see to the damage.” He motioned to one of the servants. “See the men and our belongings are made ready.” He turned to his wife. “Forgive me, Eleanor, but we must cut our celebrations short.”

Eleanor smiled and put a hand to her husband’s arm. “‘Tis no matter, our people need us.”

Dominic observed the exchange with interest. Lord and Lady Montgomery fascinated him. Though he had seen the love his father bore for his mother, she died when he was young and he never experienced it for himself. And Jake and Isabel kept their love a secret, so he had never really seen that either.

His gaze settled on Lucy. Though she held more of a temper than her mother, he knew that she held the same principles and would look after the Thornewall people with the same sense of duty that her mother did. He sighed. If he could only persuade her that she belonged at his side.

 Montgomery eyed him seriously. “I wish for Lucy to stay with you. There is no sense in her missing out and I wish to keep her far from danger. Your castle is not only further from the reivers but more secure.”

“But, Father—” Lucy protested.

Montgomery ignored her. “But I warn you, Thornewall, no trickery. I am trusting you with my daughter’s life and her…” His face reddened. “Her virtue. I am asking you to prove that you are the man you say you are.”

Dominic nodded solemnly. “I will see it done, my lord. I swear Lucy will come to no harm, be it by my hand or any other’s.”

“But, Father—” Lucy interjected again.

Montgomery turned to Lucy. “You will stay here. It is safer. The reivers would love nothing more than to capture you and I’ll not have my daughter subjected to such horrors. The journey home will be dangerous enough. I trust that you will be sensible enough to stay out of danger when you are out of my sight.”

“I want to go home with you. I want to help our people.”

Dominic’s heart twisted at the thought of her leaving. For the second time since meeting her, he felt an urgent need to keep her by his side.

“You will be more help here, where you are safe,” Montgomery told her firmly.

She turned to Eleanor. “Mother? You will not leave me too, surely?”

“Your father is right. You are safer here, but he needs me. I must help provide a united front for our people. You will be safe enough here.” She leant forward but Dominic could still hear her mock whisper, “I’d wager you’ll have far more fun too.”

“This is beyond absurd!” Crossing her arms over her chest, Lucy’s jaw clenched and Dominic struggled to hold back the grin that tugged across his face as she stormed up the stairs to the minstrel’s gallery. Ack, she was such a creature to behold. He relished that fiery temperament almost as much as he relished that sweet face.

Montgomery clapped his hands together. “Right, let us ready and then we’ll bid you farewell. I apologise for cutting things short, Thornewall.”

“Pray do not apologise. We know only too well the toll that the reivers take.”

Giving him a curt nod, Montgomery motioned to his wife to follow. Lady Eleanor paused in front of Dominic. “I will trust that you do the right thing by my daughter, Lord Dominic. I see what there is between you but I ask that you tread carefully. I think you see only too well that she is a rare woman and worth taking the time to pursue.”

“Aye, my lady, she is indeed a rare lassie. I assure you that I will treat her well. I hope that I shall have the occasion to call you mother before long,” he added with a grin.

Lady Eleanor’s cheeks flushed. “Good day, my lord.”

“Good day.”

Contemplating the stairs that led up to the gallery, he sighed. As much as he intended to court her slowly, he feared her retreating too far. If he could only break through her judgements of him. He snorted. Lucy was the first woman he’d ever struggled to deal with. He could not coax her with flattery nor fine words. She was a myth to him.

Climbing the stairs, carefully, he approached her tentatively. “I know…”

She whirled to face him at the sound of his voice.

“I know this news is not pleasing to you, but I promise I will do my best to ensure you are happy and comfortable here. Winnie can attend to you,” he offered feebly. As if that was much of an inducement. “You are better off here. I would not see you harmed, Luce.”

“‘Tis not my happiness or my comfort that I worry for.” She let out a sharp laugh. “Why, it is not even my virtue. ‘Tis my people.”

“Your father will see to them. ‘Tis far better you are here. You can be of little help…” He trailed off as he saw her eyes narrow. Damn his unthinking tongue. Why was it so hard to say the right thing around Lucy?

“Think you that I would not raise a sword if I could? I have seen much blood spilled these years, just as you have. Think you it does not anger me as much as it does you? But I know I cannot unleash my anger so I would wish to be at my people’s side, doing what I can to help them through this grievous time.”

Dominic nodded slowly and studied her indignant face. God’s blood, but she was glorious. All fire and passion. She would make one hell of a mistress of Thornewall. He placed a careful hand on her shoulder and though she flinched, it pleased him that she did not move away.

Her eyes shimmered and a thousand words of apology burnt in his mind, yet they would not come to his tongue. He, who always spoke boldly and understood how to soothe every mood a woman possessed, could not find the words to comfort her. In his idiocy, he had only served to exasperate her sorrow.

For want of any other way to comfort her, he yanked roughly on her arm and flattened her against his chest, his arms enclosing her forcefully. Lucy made a sound of surprise but her body softened quickly into his. Dominic fought the rising desire that threatened to make his blood boil and concentrated on the tiny tremors of her body, and her virtually indiscernible sobs. When he was sure she would not bolt, he relaxed his grip and stroked his hands up and down her back, the silk of her gown rasping gently beneath his fingers.

Lucy gripped on to his tunic, keeping her face buried against his chest as her delicate cries subsided. He risked pressing a kiss to her head, taking a moment to breathe in her fragrance. The fresh scent of her transported him back to the ice and the look in her eyes as she had lain on top of him.

Sniffing, she drew up her head. He tensed and waited for her to pull from his grasp but her hands remained on his chest as she raised her eyes to his, her spikey lashes urging him to swipe away the dampness. By some miracle, he kept his hands on her back. Dominic could not afford to scare her away with bold moves.

“Forgive me, I did not think. I should not have said—”

“You should watch your tongue more carefully, Lord Dominic.” She gave him a watery smile. “And here I thought you were meant to be a fine master of words, especially around women.”

“Aye, I am well aware of it. It would seem that around you, I am lost for words.” He reached for a strand of her hair that lay across her shoulder and twirled it absently around one finger. “‘Tis frustrating, for I dearly wish to charm you with them. It seems I am forever destined to fail.”

Nibbling on her lip, Lucy stared up at him, her eyes searching for something. He wanted to offer her whatever it was she wanted but, as usual, he could not figure out what it was.

“‘Tis safer to have you here,” he offered. “I would not wish to see you harmed.”

“I know,” she agreed quietly.

Did she? Did she understand how important she was becoming to him? The thought of the reivers getting their grubby hands on her twisted at his gut.

Something changed and she stiffened against him. Whether she recognised the intensity of his feelings, he couldn’t tell, but her expression quickly shuttered, hiding away her vulnerability once more. Her fingers slowly unfurled, releasing his tunic. With a sigh, he let his arm drop from her back but he kept hold of the strand of hair, a vain attempt at prolonging contact with her.

“I…I had better say farewell to my parents.”

He nodded slowly, dropping the lock of hair. “Aye, of course. I’ll have Winnie move your things into one of the single chambers, you’ll be more comfortable there.”

“Oh, nay, pray ‘tis not necessary.”

“I insist.”

“As you will.” Lucy backed away gingerly and stumbled into the gallery railings with a startled cry. Righting herself, she eyed him warily before dipping briefly to him and murmuring, “Good day,” before spinning on her heel and hurrying down the stairs.

Leaning over the bannisters, Dominic observed as she scurried across the tiled floor and out of the main doors. Rubbing a hand across his chin, he considered the tumultuous look in her eyes as he held her. Was it too much to hope that he finally getting through to her? Fate, at least, was on his side. Whilst he did not wish the reivers on anyone, he could not help but be glad he would have the opportunity to spend more time alone with Lucy. Uttering up a prayer of thanks, he slapped his hand down on the wooden rail with a grin. Aye, the fates had indeed been kind.

~* * *~

Stepping into the solar, Lucy froze as she observed Dominic at his wooden desk, hunched over some papers. Ink stained his fingers and his hair was loose, framing his striking face. Licking her dry lips as her heart slammed against her chest, she withdrew, but a floorboard creaked and his head snapped up.

“Luce,” he said warmly as his expression softened.

“Forgive me, I meant not to disturb you. I was looking for a book. Winnie said you had a fine collection.”

His shoulders dropped as a crooked smile slid across his face. “Oh, aye. Over there.” He pointed to a bookcase in the corner of the room. “I am neglecting my guests, I know, and for that I apologise. Alas, I have spent time enough away from my duties as it is.”

“Nay, ‘tis no matter. Your guests are content. I just have little ability to sit still for long.”

“Indeed. Your mother said you were—”

“An active lass. Aye, you said as much.” Her gaze fastened on to his and her chest constricted.  “Well, I’ll just…” Lucy sidled over to the bookcase, darting a wary look back at him. His eyes remained on her as he tapped the end of his quill against his chin and she tensed as a shudder of awareness trailed through her.

She knew this was a mistake -- to be in such a confined space with him -- but she could not remain in the Great Hall without something to keep her occupied. With her parents gone, there was little for her to do, and the other female guests had given up trying to include her, mistaking her shyness for aloofness. She looked around briefly at the sizeable solar with its roaring fire and heavy red curtains. So mayhap it was not
that
confined, but she could not stop her gaze from falling on the canopied bed that occupied the back of the room. Dominic’s brows darted up, making her fully aware that he recognised where her thoughts were leading. She blushed and spun away, focusing on the books in front of her.

Running a finger over the leather spines, she studied the titles. Dominic went back to his ledger, the faint sound of his quill scratching against the parchment setting her senses on edge. Some were well worn and she pictured Dominic thumbing through them. How odd that she could never have imagined him as a man that enjoyed scholarly pursuits before, but now the image suited him perfectly. Now she knew him better.

“Tristan and Iseult…” she murmured. “I did not take you for a romantic soul.”

“You think it a romance? I think it a tragedy.”

Lucy stared at him. “A tragedy? Nay, dying for love must surely be the most romantic act of all.”

“And here I did not think
you
a romantic soul. But now I know the key to your heart.”  Dominic regarded her with a twist of his lips. “I should die to secure it.”

“My-my heart?”

“I cannot deny I would wish to secure your body along with it, but I should very much like to capture your heart first.”

She gulped. Her heart? Could he hear it pounding with his every word?  First he wanted her to believe that he lusted after her body -- a stretch of the imagination, aye, but mayhap he really did -- and now he expected her to believe he wanted her heart?

“You-you are mocking me?”

He sighed but his grin remained. “Do I look like I am jesting?”

Grabbing the book, she clutched it to her chest as she studied him, as if the book could offer some form of protection against his bold stare. Indeed, in spite of the twitch of his lips, his eyes remained deadly serious.

“Think you that I shall fall into your bed when you speak of my heart?”

Releasing a mocking laugh, Dominic threw down his quill. She jolted back as his chair screeched and he stood abruptly, but he didn’t approach. Instead he came around the desk and perched on it, his arms crossed across his chest.

“Nay, Lucy, I do not think you so simple as to come to my bed because of a few artless words. Indeed, I would prefer it you came to me without coercion or seduction. I would tear up our contract if I did not fear it would put an end to the scant hold I have over you.”

She quivered at his words. Why did Dominic having a ‘hold’ over her seem so appealing all of a sudden? Mayhap because she was weak and foolish. After all he had put her through, the self-doubt, the taunts…did they count for nothing?