Borderland Betrayal

by Samantha Holt

  Enclosed in the red velvet interior, Ellise released a breath and reached for Clarise as Arias settled beside her. “I thank you for not letting him forget me. I owe you a great deal.”

  The old woman smiled and put an arm around Arias. “Every boy should know his mother.”

  “You are coming to live with us now, Mama?” Arias asked.

  “Aye, I am. We’ll not be parted again, my love.” She pressed her hands into her lap. He still regarded her warily, but it was to be expected. He did not yet know her. But she would change that with time and patience. If only she hadn’t had to sacrifice one very good man for such a chance.

  Still, at least she had Arias. Whatever Edmund inflicted upon her would be irrelevant. James was safe and she was with Arias. All was as it should be. She only hoped her memories of James would not plague her as they did now.

  The carriage rocked as Edmund clambered in and sat himself beside her. He took her hand and gripped it tightly. “Now let us away from this Godforsaken place. A priest awaits us and I am eager to secure our marriage. See, boy? I have brought you a mother. Are you not happy?”

  “Yes, sir. Most happy.”

  “Good.”

  Ellise flinched as the carriage jolted and they started their journey. Her stomach curdled. Had she made the right choice? Those fingers pressed harder, possessively. She studied Arias’ face, her pulse slowing at the sight of his smooth cheeks and wide eyes. It only confirmed what she’d long known. What other choice did a mother have? She would do anything for her son. Including giving herself to the man she hated most. Just as she would do anything for the man she truly loved.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  James dug his nails into the stone until his fingers hurt. Why was he torturing himself like this? But that sense of misgiving was upon him, the one that had lingered ever since Wighthurst had arrived at Thornewall. It was more acute now. Had he relinquished her too easily? And there was that moment with the boy…even from where he was stood, he saw the emotion with which she greeted him.

  The pounding of horses signalled their departure and a deep-seated sickness ate through him. Was he really going to watch her go? He’d always been taught to fight in life, so why hadn’t he fought for Ellise? Everything he’d known had become so confused since she entered his life. Right from wrong, good and bad. He no longer trusted his instincts. But he loved Ellise. He trusted that. She pulled him from his brooding tendencies with her merry disposition. She had taught him so much.

  His feet twitched as the need to run after her hit. But this was what she wanted. Riches, lands. Love? Nay, Wighthurst would never love her as he did. And though James was wealthy enough, he could never give her as much as the Earl. Ellise deserved so much and now she would have it all.

  Shoulders straight, he turned back to the castle and glanced around at the watchmen. Funny how his job no longer held the same appeal. Whilst it still brought him pride to be the captain, something was missing. A gaping, agonising hole opened up in his chest. With a sigh, he realised only Ellise could fill it.

  And the only way to conquer it was to do what he had always done. Work. Hand to his sword to steady it, he marched across the top of the ramparts and down the inner staircase into the courtyard.

  Dominic and Jake stopped in front of him, blocking his way as he reached the bottom step. He stared at the two dark-haired lords, both so dissimilar but both as determined as each other. They stood with their arms across their chests, brows furrowed. What was this about? “Is all well, my lords?”

  “I fear not,” Jake said cryptically.

  “My lord?”

  Dominic shook his head. “James, you’re a fool.”

  James straightened. “Pardon?”

  “Lord knows, I’ve been a fool enough times but at least I never let Lucy go.” A flicker of pain flew across Jake’s face and Dominic cursed. “Forgive me, Brother.”

  “Nay, you are right.” Jake patted his brother’s shoulder. “I let Isabel go once and have regretted those wasted months myself.”

  Bewildered, James flicked his gaze between both brothers. What was this? None had ever lectured him on his actions before. In fact, there had never been need to. He always did everything right. Until Ellise. How was it a beautiful woman could cause a man to make so many mistakes? But letting her go, nay, that had been no mistake. That was what she wanted.

  “Ellise wanted to go. She said as much. So I let her.”

  With a laugh, Dominic grinned. “And have you not yet learned that women are secretive creatures?” He glanced over his shoulder at his wife, who stood with Lady Isabel, both with concerned expressions, and motioned to her. The women scurried over and Jake hooked an arm around Isabel as Dominic nodded for Lucy to speak.

  “James, I do not believe Ellise wanted to go with the Earl. I think... I think he has her son.”

  James gaped at the four people surrounding him. Her son? “Nay. She does not have a son. She did once, but...” His jaw dropped slightly. “Hellfire.”

  “I heard that boy call her Mama,” Lucy said softly. “I believe Ellise is the widow of the late Earl and a victim of Wighthurst’s scheming. Surely you even saw the child looked like Ellise from where you were? And how she greeted him?”

  Hand curled around his sword, he tightened his grip on the pommel. Her son? He had assumed the son she spoke of had died, mayhap during birth, but what if he had been taken from her? None knew who the mother of Wighthurst’s son was. What if it was Ellise? But did this mean Ellise and Wighthurst had borne him or was the child that of her late-husband's? And why had she never said anything?

  Jake, the eldest of them all, stepped forward and pressed a hand to his shoulder. “The Earl drove out his brother’s wife upon his death so he could have her lands. It was never said why or what occurred, only that he stole her wealth and she was never heard from again.”

  “Damnation, surely she must have known I'd help her?”

  “If he threatened her son...” Lucy murmured.

  James nodded. If he’d threatened her son, Ellise would have done anything to see him safe, including living as a pauper. And stealing. And what if he knew of her gift? Aye, he believed it to be a gift now, but the Earl could easily threaten to reveal her as a witch. Curses, he was a fool. All those whispered words and the odd moments between Wighthurst and Ellise had been him threatening her or her lad. Whilst he was meant to be protecting everyone within the walls of Thornewall, Ellise had been at the mercy of a man who thought nothing of using a child as leverage. And it explained her flashes of melancholy, especially after the twins were born. No wonder she had been so upset. If only he had pushed her for answers. If only he had not judged her so quickly.

  Head snapping up, he gave a brisk nod. “We must get her back. Her and her son. None will threaten them ever again.”

  Relieved smiles and exhaled breaths greeted him and Jake took a step back. “Aye, we shall aid you. The Earl may be powerful but he would dare not go against the three of us. We hold more land between us than he will ever hope to get.”

  “Aye.” James squeezed his hand tightly. “Aye,” he repeated with a grin. With the two lords on his side, he looked forward to ensuring the Earl never abused his power again. And more than that, he looked forward to having Ellise back in his arms. Now they just had to chase her down. “Come then.” He started toward the stables. “Let us ride.”

  ~***~

  Ellise clutched her stomach as they rode over the bumpy roads. She peered out of the open window and sucked in some fresh air but it did little to calm her belly. It had been a long time since she’d last been in a carriage and the jostling made her nauseous. Combined with Edmund’s possessive touch, she feared she would not hold onto the contents of her stomach for long. His hand had snaked over early on in the journey, his fingers cold around hers. In all likelihood, they would marry as soon as they reached Wighthurst. She gulped down the bile rising in her throat and glanced over at Arias. He had fallen asleep in Clarice’s la
p. She longed to be the one he rested on but she could not let Edmund see just how weak she was around her son and she didn't want Clarice to get into trouble for ensuring her son never forgot her. Who knew how much Edmund knew of the maid’s kindness toward her? Besides which, Arias might not take to her motherly behaviour. Though he knew of her and accepted her as his mother, she could not expect him to instantly accept her affection.

  The carriage lurched suddenly and swerved slightly. Ellise tensed and clutched at the side of the conveyance.

  “What in the devil—” Edmund exclaimed.

  Ellise felt the blood drain from her face. Was it reivers? The Earl made a tempting target and she’d heard enough tales of their brutality in Thornewall. Clarice darted a wary glance over at her as Edmund poked his head out of the window. They were well-guarded, with several men-at-arms escorting them but the reivers were brutal. She listened for the sound of battle cries, but only the pounding of hooves echoed the thump in her chest.

  She glanced over at the still-sleeping Arias and rose in her seat to peer out of the open window. Edmund yanked her down onto the bench.

  “Do not be foolish,” he snarled. “Stay inside.”

  “My ladies.”

  Eyes wide, Ellise swivelled to see James pop his head through the window on Edmund’s side as he clutched to the outside of the wagon.

  “James!”

  “God’s bones,” Edmund declared as he fought to free his sword.

  In the close confines of the carriage, it would do him no good, but it still sent a stab of fear through her. She jumped up again and tugged on his arm but he backhanded her. Through the haze of pain, she saw James’ face contort with anger. Reaching in, he smashed his fist across Edmund’s face. The Earl fell back, knocked senseless by the bone-shattering blow.

  Ellise gaped as James eyed him with satisfaction and the carriage gradually came to a stop. They lurched to a halt and Arias stirred, blinking and frowning as he spied Edmund and the man hanging onto the carriage.

  “James, what are you—” Before she could continue, he jumped out of view and yanked open the door. Gathering her skirts and giving Clarice a reassuring smile, she stepped out of the carriage to see Lord Dominic and Lord Jacob on their mounts and Edmund’s men-at-arms, keeping their distance.

  She resisted the urge to laugh. It did not surprise her they surrendered. With these men threatening attack, she’d do the same.

  “James, what is the meaning of this?”

  He put a hand to the back of his neck and rubbed at it. “I am not letting you go, Ellise. I know you have no wish to marry Wighthurst.”

  She threw a glance at the carriage and swallowed heavily. “I-I do.”

  “Nay, you do not. I know all, Ellise. ‘Twas my fault for not listening, not understanding. ‘Twas my fault for not fighting.” He took a step forward so that he bore down upon her. “I spent my whole life being taught to fight, yet I did not fight for the most important thing. You. I would fight for you. I will fight for you. And I’ll not let you go again.”

  The breath trapped in her throat as she took in his husky words and his solemn expression. How she longed to fall into his arms. She wavered forward as if her body intended to do so without her permission and he took the opportunity to brush his knuckles over her cheek. The warmth of his touch set her senses on fire and made her shudder.

  “James, pray do not do this. You know not what you are getting involved with,” she begged even as she leaned into his touch.

  “I do. I know of your son. I know enough.”

  Her heart jumped at the mention of Arias. Did he truly know all? And he still wanted her? But how could she let him love her when he risked his life. “Pray listen to me.” She touched the hand that still brushed her cheek in an attempt to still it. “I am not worth this. I am not worth your life. If I do not marry Edmund, he will take my son and he will kill you. I have seen what he can do and I believe him. Now pray believe me when I say if there was another way, I would take it. I have tried so hard to find one, but there is none, so I am resigned to my fate.”

  His expression grew hard. “He has threatened you?”

  “He has done much, James. He will follow through on his threats. I care not for myself but for you and Arias—my son.” She glanced back at the wagon. “Pray leave before he wakes up and I will persuade him all is well.”

  “Nay.” He closed the gap between them.

  “James—”

  “Nay,” he repeated as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  And she was captivated. Spellbound. The press of his hard body against her, the hands that came around her waist and held her firmly in place, the lips that took hers with such confidence and surety. How was she to fight a moment that made her legs tremble and her pulse quicken?

  “Nay,” he murmured again as he briefly released her mouth before plundering it once more.

  A sound from in the carriage drew them apart and Ellise smiled as Arias clambered down and darted a look around at the large men in front of him. “Mama?”

  “Aye, come here.” She held out a hand and warmth flooded her chest as he took it with ease. “James, this is my son, Arias.”

  James grinned and kneeled. “‘Tis a pleasure to meet you, Arias.”

  “And you, sir,” Arias replied formally.

  Ellise tugged him into her and wrapped a protective arm around his shoulder. “You see why I cannot give him up?”

  “I do not ask you to give him up.”

  “I tried. I tried so hard but Edmund found us. He beat me and threatened to reveal the truth about me. I cannot allow that to happen again and I cannot have you drawn into my troubles.”

  His jaw tensed as he rose. “‘Twill not happen again, I swear it. Look, Ellise, you have friends here. We will not allow you to come to harm. Wighthurst may be powerful but he is not more powerful than all of us combined. Think you he would really go up against the Lord of Thornewall, his captain and his brother?” James shook his head. “Nay, he would not dare.”

  “But—”

  “No more,” he told her. “You will bear this alone no longer. I will take you as mine, Ellise, and I will take Arias as my son. I wish for you both to be free of the Earl but more than that, I wish to love you forever.”

  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 th
em 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.