The Borderland Legacy

by Samantha Holt

  Fingers curled over her elbow, he led her to where the alewife handed out beakers of drink and procured some for both of them. James took a long drink—hopefully it would steady his nerves—and tapped his foot as he observed the dancers. God’s teeth, what a lumbering idiot he was. How could he persuade Ellise to consider a future with him without even speaking to her?

  “Can we dance?” she asked suddenly.

  James gulped and eyed the dancers. He avoided dancing on the best of occasions and this kind of dancing—wild, uninhibited, primitive dancing—was just the sort of behavior his father had frowned upon.

  Feeling the prickle of sweat on his brow, he nodded before his courage failed him. “Aye, but I am obliged to warn you, I am no dancer.”

  “Indeed, Captain? I should never have guessed.”

  “You mock me?”

  “Mayhap. But prove your worth and perhaps I shall withdraw my words.”

  Pleased the mood had lightened, James placed down their ales and snatched her into his arms. Prove his worth? The sounded like a challenge and the warrior in him reveled in the chance. She inhaled sharply as he flattened her to his chest and dragged her into the shadows of the cottages.

  “I said dance, James, not hide.”

  He grinned, sprawled his fingers over her waist and grasped her tightly. Hips swaying carefully against hers, he coaxed her into a slow, sensual dance, completely at odds with the lively jig of the other dancers.

  “We are dancing, are we not?” he whispered into her ear.

  “This,” her voice hitched, “is not dancing. ‘Tis lovemaking with clothes on.”

  Ha, trust Ellise to be so blunt. Yet he could not stop the movement of his hips and she did not pull away. There went his plan to prove himself a better man…

  The fragrance of flowers lingered as she rested her head on his chest and wound her hands around his neck. Tucked into their own world of shadows and lust, James allowed himself to relish the moment, forgetting for a moment his muddled thoughts of how to win Ellise. She was still attracted to him, was she not? That gave him hope, at least. Hope that mayhap last night had been about more than just comfort.

  Unable to resist, he brought up one hand and stroked the back of his fingers across her cheek. She audibly sighed as he trailed them into her hair. Grateful she wore it loose for a change, he twined his fingers into the strands and imagined she was his.

  She tilted her head up and he caught that sadness there again. In an attempt to banish it, he took her mouth with an urgent kiss and she instantly arched her hips into him, sending him dizzy as all the blood rushed from his head and concentrated on his manhood.

  The finest desserts tasted incomparable compared to Ellise. Even with the faint tang of ale, she drugged him with her sweet flavor until he forgot the celebrations around them and any thought of ever releasing her.

  Her tongue stroked his, bold and daring, as she released a little moan and dug her fingers into his neck. Fingers clasped around her head, he maneuvered her to push the kiss deeper. A leg curled around his, forcing him to press into her juncture.

  A peal of laughter sliced through their cinch and James pulled away abruptly. Ellise wavered and he settled his hands on her shoulders to steady her. God’s teeth, but he was a barbarian. For all his talk of chivalry and duty, he came close to taking her in the middle of the village square. Pulse thudding erratically, he gripped her shoulders. He needed to tell her of his feelings, regardless of the outcome.

  “Ellise, I—”

  “James I must speak with you,” she announced suddenly.

  “We are, are we not?” He stroked his hands up and down her arms.

  Her lips twisted. “How is it you always distract me from my task? This,” she pushed him away playfully, “is not talking.”

  “Talk then, lass. Though you’ll not dissuade me from touching you.” James reached for her again and tugged her into his chest.

  She shook her head in exasperation and softened against him. “I have much to tell you.” Her cheek rested against his chest. “I… you know that I was saddened last night…”

  He took a moment to smooth his palms across her back and hair, hoping to coax the words from her. “Aye.”

  “‘Twas the memory of my son that did it.”

  “Your son?” God’s blood, no wonder she had been aggrieved. While she’d been bringing new life into the world, she was mourning the babe she had lost. His chest grew heavy for her.

  “I was married once. Briefly. He died before I gave birth.”

  She spoke with such bravery, not even a wobble in her voice, that James wanted to pin her to him and take away every moment of sadness from her life. He wanted to protect this woman, but it was more than thoughts of duty and chivalry that did this. It was his love for her.

  “Ellise, you do not have to tell me all this. I care not about your past. I would not see you upset.”

  “I have made foolish decisions these past years, particularly when I was younger, but I cannot regret them for I am still alive and well. Well, I regret turning to crime. And that is why—”

  “And being caught by me,” James added.

  “Nay, I could not regret that, but I do—”

  “Damnation.” He scowled as he spotted Wighthurst weaving his way between the villagers, his face turned up in a sneer of disgust. His gaze scanned the dancers. No doubt looking for Ellise. He’d be damned if he found her.

  “Will you walk with me?” he bit out.

  Both eyebrows shot up but she nodded. “Aye, as you will.”

  Curses. Ellise always remained so calm and collected as if the raging torrent of emotion didn’t pull her along too. The spark of doubt lit once more.

  Arm linked back through his, Ellise flashed him as grin as they left the town square and strolled out into the outskirts of the village, leaving the revelries behind. Dusk had given way to a mostly clear night, the stars lighting their way once they moved away from the torch-lit streets. He led her around the curve of the mound until the lake came into view. Satisfied no one followed, he carefully unhooked her arm from his and coaxed her to face him. Her quizzical expression almost stole his determination but, nay, he would not be cowed by her. This night he would tell her how he felt.

  Uncertainty flickered across her face and she glanced over at the lake, arms wrapped around her. Then a slow smile lit her face, mischief glinting in her eyes as she shoved against his chest and stepped back. Her hands came to the lacing at the front of her gown and Ellise drew out the ribbon slowly.

  “What in the devil are you doing?” he hissed as silky flesh grew visible. James snapped his jaw shut so hard that it near rattled his teeth and glanced around. They were alone. Everyone remained in the village square. “Ellise!” he tried again.

  She simply grinned and tugged the laces apart before spreading the front of her gown. Even in the light of the evening he saw the curves of her breasts peeking over the top of her cotton chemise. What sort of game was this? Whatever it was, he couldn’t refuse her. Ellise was his one weakness.

  With a shove, her gown fell from her hips and crumpled onto the grass. She toed off her slippers and pressed her chemise over one shoulder. It reminded him of the first time they had made love. James realized he was staring stupidly at her but his limbs wouldn’t work. How could they move forward if he made love to her again? He wanted to show his respect for her. To show her he’d changed.

  And then, in an unexpected movement, she turned from him and yanked her chemise over her head before sprinting into the lake and jumping in with a splash. The sight of her curved buttocks and smooth back sent an instant rush of arousal through him. When she failed to surface, James stepped forward, peering into the inky black of the lake.

  A bubble of fear crawled up his throat. Damn woman. The lake was easily deeper than he was tall. Had she thought it shallow? A rush of fear speared through him, sending his heart rebounding. Kicking off his boots, he yanked at his chausses and tugged them down, ta
king his braies with them. He jumped in, gasping as the cold water closed over him and swallowing a mouthful of water. James surfaced, coughing and spitting, only to be confronted by the sight of Ellise, grinning at him.

  With dark hair slick across her face and bare shoulders peeking out of the water, she looked playful and young and utterly irresistible. His anger and concern dissipated in an instant and he grabbed at her, hauling her close. Using the sloping bank of the lake for support, he pressed her into it and kissed her hard.

  “Did…you…fear…me…drowned?” she asked breathlessly between kisses.

  “Aye,” he murmured against her lips. “I do not make a habit of jumping into lakes fully clothed.”

  Ellise drew back with a laugh. “Not fully clothed,” she plucked at his sodden shirt, “but certainly wearing too many.”

  Pushing her away, he yanked at the soaking fabric and hauled it over his head. It slapped down onto the grass as he flung it aside. The cool water swirled about them as he flattened her against him, his feet sinking into the bottom of the lake as she wrapped her legs about his hips. Her hard nipples pressed into his chest and even through the chill of the water, he felt the heat of her juncture.

  Desire stirred swiftly and James smoothed his palms across her back and bottom, squeezing at her flesh as she wriggled against him. How she ate through his self-control so quickly, he didn’t know. Ellise consumed him. All he could think of was her sweet taste, hot skin, and how much he wanted to join with her.

  “James,” she murmured huskily. “James, do not wait. Take me.”

  With a groan of surrender, he lifted her and impaled himself swiftly. Her cry of gratification rang through the night and as her heat closed about him the world went hazy. Only her pleasure-filled expression remained clear and James stared at her as he withdrew and repeated the movement, the widening of her eyes and parting of her lips holding him captive.

  Ellise dug her nails into his neck and pressed her face into the side of his neck. Something primitive burgeoned in his chest, making his heart constrict with more than just lust. She was his. His woman. His love.

  Hellfire.

  James thrust into her with relentless abandon, driving them both to the peak rapidly. Ellise’s breaths blew against his neck as she scattered kisses across his skin and he felt her body tighten. Thank the Lord, because he was not far from shattering and he couldn’t hold back.

  Head buried in her wet hair, he pressed into her slippery heat again and again as she became impossibly tight around him. Her heavy breaths turned into whimpers and he clamped an arm around her back so as to slip a hand between them and palm one breast, the need to touch each part of her before he went to oblivion driving his every movement. Her head lolled back and he watched, enthralled, as Ellise settled her gaze on him, even as her pleasure overtook her, sending her shaking and shuddering in his arms.

  “Mi Corazón,” she whispered as he clamped her trembling body to his and pounded into her. It took mere moments for him to follow her over, his release searing and heart-achingly exquisite.

  Ellise rested her head against his shoulder and placed her hand over his heart, as if somehow she understood. He swallowed heavily as his mind cleared.

  “Ellise, I—”

  A finger came to his lips, cutting him off. “Hush. Do not say a word.”

  Words of love burned but her quiet command stole them from him. Instead he snatched the finger from his mouth and pressed a kiss to it before scraping his palm across her cheek and drawing her head back from his shoulder. Though dark, James still saw the emotion burning in her eyes. He flattened his forehead against hers with a sigh. What did this mean for them?

  His notion of duty drove him on once more. He had a duty to Ellise. A duty to love and cherish her and save her from a world unable to appreciate her for who she was. And a duty to himself. The war raging inside him forced him to clamp his arms tightly around her, as if the touch of her body could help him decide what to do. He had to take the risk.

  ~***~

  Unable to sleep, James rolled over and studied Ellise in the milky light of the slowly brightening sky. It crept in through the curtains and shimmered across her profile as she slept. He resisted the desire to reach out and run a finger across her nose and lips. He’d never spent a full night with her and he did not want to ruin it.

  He wanted her to sleep through until morning. And when she awoke he would be ready to ask her what he’d intended to before she’d distracted him. He would make Ellise his. Surely she would say aye?

  She twitched suddenly and he drew back as her peaceful expression contorted. What was this? A nightmare? She jerked again, an arm flailing at the sheet and a whimper fell from her lips. He grasped her arm and held it to him as her struggles grew stronger. Pulling her toward him, he wrapped his arms around her. An elbow connected with his chin and he cursed.

  “Ellise? Ellise!”

  Her eyes remained shut, her cries increased. He held her tighter for fear of her hurting herself. He’d never seen anything like it. It was as if… as if she was possessed. He did not welcome the thought. He would pray for thinking such a thing on the morrow. But he had never witnessed anyone suffer a nightmare as Ellise did and he spent much time sleeping in the company of many men. Men who had seen all sorts of horrors. What did she see to make her sleep so fitfully?

  He called her name again as she fought his hold and he just escaped a knee aimed for his groin. Her movements slowed and her noises quietened so he relaxed his arms slightly and brushed his knuckles across her nose and cheek in an attempt to wake her.

  Eyelids fluttering open, it seemed to take her a while to recognize him. She wriggled in his embrace. “James?”

  “Ellise? I am here. You were dreaming.”

  She sagged against him, releasing a small puff of breath. “‘Twas no dream.”

  “A nightmare?”

  “Of sorts.” Her eyes grew wide and anxious. “James… I-I fear something may happen to you.”

  He smirked. “You do not need to fear for me. I intend to come to no harm.”

  “Nay, you do not…you do not understand me. I…” She brought a hand up to her mouth and began to chew on the end of a fingertip. “I see things.”

  James scowled and his moment of confusion allowed her to push from his arms. She shifted to sitting and wrapped her arms around her knees, blankets tucked tightly around her. He sat too and regarded her. “What is your meaning, lass?”

  “‘Twas no nightmare. I see things, James. I see things that may happen.”

  “Ellise, ‘twas just a dream.”

  “Nay, ‘twas not. I have seen these things before and often they come to pass. I had a vision telling me to come to Thornewall. I knew Lucy would bear her babes well if I could help her.”

  James shook his head.

  “I know much, James. I know your father looked like you. I saw it in my vision. He pushed you to fight when you did not want to. He waits for you.”

  He had told no one of that. His pulse thudded with dread. “How could you know such a thing?”

  “I see things,” she insisted. “James, you must heed my warning. You shall be harmed.”

  “Ellise, this knowledge you have it sounds like…” the word felt bitter on his tongue, “witchcraft.”

  “Nay!”

  “Why do you tell me this then?” He edged off the bed and snatched at his braies, yanking them on. Doubt filled him. Ellise was a skilled healer and an insightful woman, but witchcraft…? However, he’d seen how that nightmare plagued her. Scraping a hand through his hair, he searched for his shirt and chausses, avoiding eye contact with her. Had he really allowed a witch into Thornewall? Let her tend to the Lady and the future lords? Good God, anything could have happened.

  “James, I am no witch. You must know that.”

  “But these… these visions. Nay, tell me they are just dreams.” He yanked on his chausses and snatched her arms. “Tell me, Ellise,” he commanded.

&
nbsp; “I cannot!” she cried. “They are visions. I have been plagued by them ever since I was a girl. Would that I could tell you that but I can lie no longer. I have longed to tell you but…but I knew what you would think.”

  He released her, feeling as if he had been stung. She knew what he would think? He did not know what to think. How did he even know if his feelings were real? Mayhap she had used witchcraft on him. It would certainly explain the hold she had over him.

  “James, pray do not look at me so.”

  “I know not what you expect of me.” He snatched his shirt up once more and squeezed it in his fist, his mind reeling.

  “This…” her hand shook as she pointed at him, “is why I did not tell you. But I did not expect you to accuse me of witchcraft!”

  “What else would you have me believe? There is no other explanation for these powers.”

  She sagged where she sat, shoulders dropping. “I cannot explain but you must know I am no witch. I had thought you might understand. Or at least accept that. It appears I was wrong.”

  A twinge of guilt made his heart ache. He didn’t want to think of Ellise being a witch, of the dangers she faced, but it had thrown everything into doubt. What was real, what was not. For all he knew, she had cast a spell over them all. He could not let her remain, for how could he—a captain—allow a potentially dangerous woman stay in Thornewall?

  “Ellise, you must leave. On the morrow.” His voice came out with more confidence than he expected. He strode around the bed toward the door and paused to face her. “Forgive me, but you must see I cannot let you stay. Go from here and do not return. I will tell no one of your secret.”

  Spinning away, he yanked open the door and slammed it shut behind him. He wrenched on his shirt and flinched as a sob reached his ears. Och, but it took all his willpower not to turn around and take her back into his arms. But damnation, she’d lied. She’d hidden who she was from him and put everyone in danger. Even if she had not already cast spells, who knew what she might do if someone wronged or upset her? They had never had a witch in Thornewall but he heard many tales of those who had made whole villages ill after being slighted.