Borderland Bride (12 page)

“Good morrow, Isabel.”

“Good morrow.”

“May I speak with you?” Jake glanced around and edged closer. “Alone?”

Isabel bit at her lip and nodded. “Shall you escort me to my chambers?”

“I’d better not. Will you come to the chapel with me? ‘Twill be empty at this time of day.”

“Aye, of course. Though you have visited my chambers plenty enough, Jake. I doubt anyone will pay any attention.”

“Be that as it may, I cannot trust myself in your chambers.” He secured her with his gaze and lowered his voice. “Not now I know of the beautiful body that lies underneath that gown.”

“Jake! You are wicked.” Isabel couldn’t resist a laugh as her cheeks heated.

“Aye, ‘tis all your fault.”

She swatted playfully at his arm as they strolled toward the chapel. Jake held the door open and ushered her through. Looking around, Isabel was relieved to see it was indeed empty. A warm hand came upon her back, and Jake manoeuvred her in the direction of one of the window recesses.

Opening her mouth to speak, Isabel found her words cut off as Jake grabbed at her arms and pressed his lips down upon hers. She clung eagerly to him as her lips opened beneath his and his tongue gained access. They kissed until she was breathless. Lord, what an effect this man had on her!

Jake drew back slowly, eyeing her lips with a predatory glint. “I have wanted to do that all morning.”

“Me too.”

“Isabel. I…” Jake turned and ran a hand through his hair. “There is something I must ask y—”

“Wait. I must tell you something first—”

A rattle from outside drew their attention and they both turned to peer through the cloudy glass. The clatter of hooves sounded as a large group of men-at-arms made their way across the drawbridge and assembled in the barbican.

Nausea welled up inside of Isabel as she studied the gathering. Her father’s colours!

And there he was, making his way through the men on his black destrier. He held himself tall, the mark of a proud man, and his thick white hair distinguished him from those surrounding him, causing him to stand out in stark contrast to the battle-worn knights that accompanied him.

They were indeed battle-worn men. Her father’s greed knew no bounds and Isabel could remember few times when they were not fighting with neighbouring lands for power and control. She had grown up in the knowledge that she would one day be a pawn in his power-games, her entire childhood spent preparing her for an advantageous marriage.

She brought a hand up to her mouth. “Oh God.”

Jake looked at her with concern, drawing her hand from her mouth and gripping it gently. “What is it, lass? What troubles you?”

“Pray don’t let him take me. Swear you won’t let him take me.”

“Who?”

She gulped. It was likely her world was just about to crumble away. “My father.”

His brow furrowed as his eyes widened. “Your father? Isabel, you said—”

“I lied.”

Jake jolted at the word as if it had physically pained him. The light in his eyes dimmed. “Why would you lie, Isabel?”

She took a deep breath. She would lie to him no more. “I ran away. My father wanted…that is…I was to be married. But my betrothed is a vicious, cruel man. I could not let myself be given to such a man.”

“Your betrothed…?” His voice came out strangled.

“Aye,” she confirmed, lowering her eyes, unable to bear the sorrow written on his face. If she had merely confessed all, she would never have caused such hurt. Lord, what a fool she was.

They stood in silence, watching her father’s men assemble as Dominic strode over to greet them. How had he known she was here? But she was aware gossip travelled fast and it would not have been long until word of a strange auburn haired woman with no family had spread. She should have known she couldn’t hide forever but her feelings for Jake had drowned out her good sense.

And now she had hurt him. It didn’t matter that her lies were to protect herself. All that mattered was she had deceived him, proving herself to be no better than his wife.

“Stay here,” he ordered her gruffly, not meeting her eyes. “I will see to this.”

Isabel’s chest ached and tears burnt in her eyes as she nodded numbly. He would not let someone take her against her will, she realised that, but it was no longer someone taking her that she feared. It was that she had lost his esteem, and with that, his love. Would he ever trust her again or was the damage she had rendered irreparable?

He stomped away, slamming the door behind him and Isabel recognised the anger he had spoken of before but never witnessed. It was a deep, consuming anger, one borne of mistrust and doubt. She had forced him to doubt himself once more. Things would never be the same again.

Isabel’s hands trembled as she rested them on the cool stone and peered through the glass. Her father dismounted and she recognised his stance as one of aggression. She watched as he gestured angrily at Dominic, who stood with his arms across his chest.

How could she have brought this onto Thornewall’s doorstep? She had never met such kind-hearted people and Dominic had enough to deal with as it was. Now her father would probably be threatening war for kidnapping his daughter.

But she’d had no choice…had she? Her betrothed, Lord Everard, was a cold man and not known for his sympathy towards anyone. He had already buried two wives and she suspected she would have eventually ended up joining them in the grave. There was tale of disfigured whores and villeins disappearing, all having displeased him in some way. Isabel did not take the gossip to heart until she finally met him, and one look in his eyes had convinced her every word was true.

His stone eyes had trailed a path over her body, taking in every fragment of her with a malicious light. His tongue had darted out and she had shuddered. This reaction did not pass his notice and he grinned, a sly devious smile.

From then on, he delighted in tormenting her, whispering tales of what he would do to her when she was in his bed. His desires were depraved and they turned her stomach. Isabel’s pleas to her father went ignored. He had spent too long trying to arrange an advantageous marriage and, in his eyes, she was too old to wait any longer.

It was after the announcement of the banns that Isabel gained the courage to run. Lord Everard had approached her that eve, as she passed by on her way to her chambers, and murmured his salacious words in her ear as he pressed her against the wall. His hands had come about her bodice and he ignored her protests as he made to free her breasts before thrusting his tongue into her unwilling mouth. 

Before he could go any further, she thrust a knee into his groin, forcing him double, and escaped to her room, locking herself in. That night, she had fled her father’s keep, taking her mother’s precious jewels, and beginning the arduous journey to the north. Sleeping in convents and peasant’s homes, she had become confident she would be able to forge a new life for herself in Scotland, where her father had no influence. Isabel hoped she would be able to find work as a maid or some other job. She cared not if it was beneath her station, anything was better than marrying Lord Everard.

She had been scared - terrified at times - but always had she found an inner strength and a determination to continue on. A characteristic she knew she had gained from her strong-willed mother who had died when she was seven. Poor Mama, married to a man like her father. She had deserved better.

Having battled her way across many miles and surviving at the hands of murderous outlaws, she was now cowering in a tower, hiding behind the protection of two of the most honourable men she had ever met.

Isabel considered herself with disgust. Nay, she would not hide behind them as a coward. For too long, she had depended on the kindness of these men. She would stand up to her father and prove to him, and herself, she was strong enough to stand on her own. No man could force her hand.

~* * *~

Anger swirled through Jake’s veins as he stormed across the courtyard. He darted a glance over the gathering of men her father had brought with him. The men’s fingers twitched on their pommels and he suspected he and his brother were likely on the verge of war with a man they knew nothing of.

Her betrothed! And to think how close he had come to… Hell’s teeth, but his heart hurt. She was no better than his wife, he thought bitterly. More lies, more deception, and he had fell for it like the fool that he was.

It shattered him to think the woman he thought of as so forthright, so brave, was hiding behind her cowardly lies. Her betrayal was far worse than that of his wife’s. He had not loved his wife.

James caught his eye and motioned to the Great Hall, indicating her father was there. Dominic was likely dealing with him in his usual diplomatic way. Jake feared his anger was too great but he could not leave his brother to deal with the aftermath of Isabel’s lies on his own. It was he who brought her to Thornewall, so it was he who should resolve the situation.

He could not let him take her. Jake had observed the fear in her eyes and no matter what he felt about her, he could not put her in the hands of someone who would harm her.

His boots echoed across the floor of the Great Hall as he made his way to his brother’s side. He recognised Dominic’s defensive posture and concluded negotiations were not going well.

Dominic turned to him. “Good day, Brother. This is Lord Henry, Isabel’s father,” he added with a raise of his eyebrows.

“I know,” he ground out before turning his attention to the older man.

For an aged lord, he was tall and well built. Not as tall as he, but he would tower over most men. Thick white hair surrounded lined eyes that took in everything in one glance.

“You cannot hold my daughter here. I will ask that you return her to me. My men and I will be on our way and Thornewall will be left at peace.”

Dominic looked to his brother and Jake carefully shook his head.

“My lord, Lady Isabel has sought sanctuary with us. She is under my care and I will see her right. Should she not wish to return to you, then I have little choice but to accept her decision.” Dominic eyed Lord Henry coolly.

Henry gritted his teeth, his nostrils flaring. “You cannot just hold my daughter here. She is mine!”

“Nay, Father,” a feminine voice interrupted. “I am no one’s and I will not return with you.”

All eyes turned to Isabel, who carried herself in with her head held high. She positioned herself just in front of Dominic and Jake, and Jake thrust aside the pride that swelled inside of him.

“You, girl, are more trouble than you’re worth. Lord Everard is most displeased and is threatening to call off the marriage.”

“Then let him, Father, for I shall not marry that man.”

“You shall do as I say!”

Lord Henry reached out to grab at her arm but she stepped back and Jake fought the urge to throw the man to the floor. Dominic put a calming hand to his arm, beseeching him to keep his wits about him.

“Lord Everard is naught but a murderous, God-forsaken man. You would ask your only daughter to endure his beatings and barbaric behaviour for the sakes of power?”

Her father sniffed dismissively. “A man is well within his rights to discipline his wife.”

Jake growled but before he could say anything, Dominic stepped forward, angling himself in front of Isabel.

“And his daughter?” he asked him archly.

Lord Henry skimmed his eyes over Dominic in distaste. “How I discipline my daughter is of no concern of yours.”

“My lord, I shall make it plain to you. Your daughter will not be returning with you. I have no care for men that harm women and shall see Lady Isabel in neither yours nor Lord Everard’s hands. Should you take issue with this, then you may petition the king, but I assure you that his ears are unlikely to be taken with your snake-like words and that my reputation with him far exceeds yours.”

Lord Henry’s face turned red and all could hear the clenching of his teeth. Isabel watched, wide-eyed, her spine stiff and straight.

Jake was torn between wanting to clutch her to him and mounting his horse and leaving her far behind. He recognised why she had lied. He did, and he understood it. Nevertheless, she should have known she could trust him. Yet again, a woman had misjudged him and it yanked painfully at his scarred heart.

“You will regret this,” Lord Henry bit out.

“As you say, my lord.” Dominic gave him a triumphant smile.

Seeing the lord depart, Jake wondered if his brother was revelling in his victory too soon. They had not heard the last of Lord Henry. They all remained silent as the rumble of horse hooves announced their departure.

Isabel visibly drooped, her face paling as the tension left her body. “I…thank you, my lord.” Her voice trembled as she stood before Dominic.

Dominic grinned reassuringly. “I need no thanks, Izzy. I would be loath to be parted from your fine company anyway.”

She smiled vaguely at his words but her eyes remained saddened as she flicked a glance over to where Jake stood. “Jake…?”

He ground his teeth together, his anger still fresh in his mind. He would probably regret whatever he said if he remained in her presence much longer. She took a hesitant step toward him and he turned on his heels, saying nothing, before briskly striding out of the hall. He could feel her eyes burning into his back as he departed and he cursed. How would he ever cast that woman out of his heart?

~* * *~

Isabel stared at the empty doorway, willing Jake to turn back and forgive her. To tell her that everything would be all right.

“Give him time, Izzy.”

She looked regretfully at Dominic. “Pray forgive me, Dominic. I intended not to lie to you. I have taken grave advantage of your hospitality, and now I fear I have made you an enemy of my father.”

He laughed and shook his head. “Enemies, I have plenty of. One more will make little difference. Thornewall is strong. Strong enough, I’d wager, to deal with the likes of your father. I wish you had confided in us, but what’s done is done.”

“You are too generous.”

“Aye, mayhap,” He grinned, “For I have never been able to resist a woman’s charms. Be that as it may, what I said was true. I would not wish to see you harmed and neither would Jake.”