Borderland Betrayal (20 page)

Words dried in her mouth as her mind raced. Was it true? Would these three men be able to protect them both? And did James truly want to take another man’s child as his own? Elation warred with doubt and she swung her gaze between the men.

A groan echoed from inside the carriage and all eyes turned to the source. Edmund jumped unsteadily to the ground, a hand to his head. “What is the meaning of this?” he snarled. His eyes narrowed as he spied James. “You? What is this? Think you you can get away with this? Do you know who I am?”

James drew himself tall, fingers twitching on his blade handle. “Aye, you're a thief and a coward.”

Edmund released a snarl and snatched his sword, yanking it free. James mirrored his movements and shoved Ellise and Arias aside. Ellise clutched Arias behind her, her breaths quickening as the two men circled one another. She threw a pleading look to Lord Dominic but he shook his head almost imperceptibly as if to say it was James’ fight. Was this it? The moment she had seen? Panic seized her. If her vision had been right, Edmund would kill James!

“James, pray do not!”

James drew up his chin and Ellise spotted the coldness in his green eyes as he ignored her. “Wighthurst, what say you we fight as men?”

Edmund sneered. “Are you afraid I may best you?”

“Nay, but I have no wish to be hung for murder and I sorely want to kill you right now.”

“You’ll not get the chance but, aye, we can fight as men. I hear you are skilled with a sword but I doubt you have the same skill with your fists.”

“I need no skill, Wighthurst. I have been longing to do this for some time. Now you have given me just cause.”

Both men lowered their swords to the ground and kicked them away. James pushed up his sleeves and eyed Edmund as he divested himself of his cloak. Ellise shuddered and patted Arias as he kept himself tucked behind her. She noted that he peeked around, obviously itching to watch the fight. But would Arias want to see Edmund injured? She did not even know how attached he was to him. Somehow she doubted Edmund had been warm toward him, so hopefully he would not be aggrieved if he came to harm. She only prayed her vision had been wrong and James would be victorious.

She took a moment to admire James. Her golden angel. And here he was yet again rescuing her. Surely the likes of Edmund would never best such a man?

Edmund made the first move, making her jump. His blow landed on James’ jaw and for a moment, she wondered if her confidence had been misplaced but James came back with a punch to Edmund’s vulnerable side, forcing him double. He then brought his knee up into his face, sending the Earl reeling back. His already bloody nose began streaming again.

Swiping the blood away with the back of his hand, Edmund jumped at James. With both arms raised, he fended the attack off but Edmund snuck a blow in to his jaw again and James grunted as he shoved the man back.

They glared at each other for several moments and Ellise’s heart pounded in her ears. With a roar, Edmund launched himself once more. James responded instantly with a heavy punch to his face, sending him to the ground. He leaped on top of the Earl, snatched at his tunic and brought his knuckles across his face. Ellise saw Edmund’s eyes roll back in his head and she flinched as James shoved him fully to the dry dirt.

Breathless and bruised, James clambered off the Earl and paused in front of him. “You had better have his men take him away before I kill him,” he muttered to Dominic.

Dominic responded but Ellise did not register the words. Her focus was on James and the steadying beat of her heart. It picked up again as he approached. She placed a hand to his jaw and he winced, offering her a twisted smile as he eyed her from under his brow.

“He’ll not threaten you again, Ellise.”

She released the breath she’d been holding and Arias peered around her skirts.

“Nor will he take Arias—”

“James!” Something flashed before her, a memory of what she’d seen and she shoved him to one side.

But it was too late. Edmund was on his feet, lunging toward James with his sword. James spun and the blade caught him in the chest. A scream reached her ears and she realised it was hers as James crumpled to the floor.

~***~

Something hot and wet pressed against his forehead. James pushed it away with a grumble only for a set of delicate fingers to brush his hand aside. Opening one eye, then the next, he scowled as he became aware of a dull ache in his head and chest.

Ellise’s face came into view. Had he died? For surely he had never seen anything as beautiful. He tried to say as much but his mouth was dry. Sunlight streamed in behind her and her hair was loose, spilling about her face. His mind still felt foggy but when he squinted he saw dark smudges around her eyes and they glistened with unshed tears.

“
Mio Dios
, you are awake.”

He licked his dry lips. “Aye...why do you look at me so?” His voice came out a harsh whisper.

“Do you not remember?”

“Nay.” He scowled. “Aye. I was coming after you...” He flitted his gaze around the room. “We’re at Thornewall.”

“We are. You caught up with me.” She smiled gently and wiped some damp linen across his face. “I think the poppy tonic has left you a little addled. I did have to give you a large amount. You’re not an easy man to knock senseless.”

“Knock senseless? What are you on about, lass?”

She reached behind her and offered him a beaker of ale. He struggled to sit as she fussed about the pillows and the pain in his shoulder increased. He put a hand to it and groaned.

“Have a drink.”

He nodded and took a lengthy sip before handing it back to her. Peeling away his shirt, he eyed the bandage placed just above his heart. “Wighthurst.”

“He will not harm you, Jake and Dominic made sure of that. The man will likely never step foot outside his keep again.”

“I should still like to kill the man for all he has done to you.”

Ellise shook her head slowly. “He has had punishment enough. You beat him quite badly and he has lost much influence without Lord Dominic's support.” She bit her lip as several tears dripped down her cheeks. “You were lucky he did not strike you any lower or else you would be dead.”

James reached across, grimacing as his injury pulled and roughly brushed the tears away. “But I am not. I remember now. Had you not have shouted a warning, no doubt he would have struck my heart and I would be dead.”

“‘Twas my vision. I saw it...saw him striking you like that.” She scooted her chair closer and gripped his hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “Thank the Lord you moved in time. My only regret is that you were hurt at all.”

“Hush, no regrets now, sweet Ellise.” He tugged her hand toward him and flattened a kiss against her open palm. “Your vision saved my life. I believe I owe you a great debt.”

She chuckled and brushed her fingers across his jawline. “Do you indeed, Captain? Pray tell how do you intend to repay that debt?”

He considered this for a moment, studying the wonderful lass in front of him. She had opened him up to so much. His beautiful, courageous, witty Ellise. Her dark eyes sparkled with concealed mirth and he longed to take those lush lips of hers in a bold kiss. Ack, as soon as he was fit again, he intended to do more than that. But he didn't tell her that. Such words could wait.

“I intend to love you. Always.”

Her smile expanded. “Aye, I suppose that will do.”

“Suppose? I rescue you and this is the thanks I get?”

“I will give you my thanks later. For now you can have my love too. Always.”

Warmth spread through him, awakening him in a way that only Ellise could. For once he cared for so much more than just duty. Fingers threaded through her hair, he tugged her down for a kiss and relished her delighted gasp. He had a new duty now.

Ellise and her son.

He would love them always.

EPILOGUE

5 years later

 “Arias, what have you done to yourself?”

Arias rolled his eyes as he stepped into the Great Hall of Thornewall Keep and his mother scurried over. She gripped her hands around his face and tilted it toward the candlelight so she could study the bump to his head.

“I was just practicing, Mama.” He held up the wooden sword in his hand.

“And you hit yourself?”

“Nay!” He pulled up his shoulders. “I was fighting with papa.”

Her eyes widened. “And he hit you?”

“Nay! I…” He dropped his gaze to his feet and scuffed the floor. “I stumbled and bumped my head.”

Mama shook her head and Arias winced as she brushed a thumb across the bump on his head. She straightened as footsteps sounded behind him. “What have you been doing to him, James?
Mio Dios
, can I not trust either of you?”

“Ack, leave the lad be.” His father put a hand to his shoulder and grinned. “He’s just learning to be a fighter.”

Though his mother looked exasperated as she straightened and propped her hands on her hips, Arias saw the laughter behind her eyes. “You two are as bad as each other. I pray you do not teach your little brother these things. You shall age me most terribly.”

Arias glanced up at his father and they shared a grin. He loved that he was like his papa, even if they did not share blood. His younger brother, James, looked like his father but had his mama’s character. Arias took pride in being just like his papa. Soon he would be as powerful and as brave as him.

As his Aunt Lucy approached, he groaned as her eyes went wide too. “Arias! Are you hurt?”

“Nay!” he protested again.

Loud voices and heavy footsteps told him his uncles had returned from weapons practice and he turned to eye the two dark-haired men. Uncle Jake towered over him and he had to crane his neck to look him in the eye. He used to be scared by him but now…one day he longed to be as tall and as strong as him. And as wise as his Uncle Dominic.

“You are all a bad influence,” Lucy scolded as she pressed a kiss to Dominic’s cheek and grimaced as she eyed a bruise on his exposed collar bone. Dominic flashed a grin as the twins stepped out from behind him and brandished their own small wooden swords. Arias smirked. They had no skill yet, not like him, but they were still only young lads. One day, he would teach them how to fight properly.

“Come now, let us eat,” Aunt Isabel called from the top table. She lowered herself gingerly into her seat.

Lord, she looked ready to pop. It made him laugh that his normally graceful aunt ate so much with a babe in her belly. Uncle Jake came quickly to her side and ensured she was sat safely as their daughter, Emma, clambered onto her lap.

“Arias, go find your brother and sisters before we sit for supper,” Papa told him.

“Aye, Papa. Can I sit next to you?”

His father ruffled his hair. “Aye, that you can.”

Arias took a moment to watch as everyone settled at the long tables. His aunts and uncles—aye, they were just close friends but they might as well be his father’s family—and their children. Once he’d lived in a castle with only one man and many servants. He was glad his father found his mother or else he would not have any of this.

As Uncle Dominic whispered something in Lucy’s ear, he caught Arias watching and gave him a wink. Arias winked back. One day, he would be just like him. Charming, but skilled with a sword like his papa and strong like Uncle Jake.

Aye, one day he would be one of the most respected men in the Borderlands, just like these men.

About the Author

Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of whom lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

Website – http://
www.samanthaholt.org.uk