Borderland Beauty

by Samantha Holt

  The flickering candles warmed the white walls and created an almost cozy atmosphere in the huge hall, but Lucy shuddered as she made her way to her father's side. Dominic's eyes tracked her movements and as much as she endeavored to ignore him, she could not resist flicking her gaze to him. Ack, why did the man have to be so handsome? Her father greeted her with a nod and a fond smile as her mother fussed over her gown before Lucy pushed her hands away.

  "How are your chambers, my dear?" her mother asked.

  "Very fine." Stop looking at him.

  "And the maids? You have someone attending you?"

  "Aye, Mother. One of the maids has offered her aid for the duration of our stay." She glanced over again. Stop it, Lucy.

  The clatter of plates and the scurry of servants announced the start of the meal and everyone took their seats. Lucy found herself guided towards the main table as her mother and father sat at one end and Dominic motioned for her to sit between him and Jake.

  Gulping, Lucy lowered herself into her chair and the two men seated. Her body instantly heated as broad torsos enclosed her and she darted a look from side to side as her bodice tightened. Why did she have to sit here? Noting the narrowed eyes of some of the noble women, she focused on the embroidery on the linen as the warmth in her body surged up into her cheeks.

  The rest of the guests settled along the long tables that ran the length of the hall, the bustle of silk and the clatter of eating knives drowning out the minstrels that played in one corner. Lucy could see the servants laying out the food on the serving table from the corner of her eye as she kept her gaze trained on the table.

  “Good eve to you, Lucy.” Jake leaned over, forcing her to bring her head up. “Are you settled in your chambers?”

  “Aye, thank you, Jake.” She remembered to use his first name but didn't risk glancing at Dominic to see if he had taken note. “The hall is looking very fine,” she added, inwardly cursing her lack of social skills.

  “Aye, ‘tis all Winnie's doing. No one takes more pleasure in the decorations than she. If it were left up to my brother, I fear it would not look nearly so grand.”

  Dominic chuckled, shifting forward. Lucy pressed herself back into her chair. Lord, all this masculinity! It was enough to make even the strongest of women faint.

  “If it were left to me, we would have but a few guests and little formality. Drinking, eating and dancing, that is my idea of a joyous Christmas.”

  “Oh, indeed?” Lucy plucked at her napkin and laid it across her lap as the servants placed bowls of water on the tables. Dipping her fingers delicately into one, she wiped them on the napkin and met Dominic’s watchful gaze. “I am sorry that we interfere with your merriments, Lord Dominic.”

  “Ack, you mistake me, lass. A few guests, I said. You would most certainly be one of them.” He stroked a hand across his chin. “Nay, in truth, I would gladly do away with the company of everyone but you.”

  “Even your dear brother?" Jake interrupted.

  Laughing, Dominic rinsed his hands in the bowl and flicked some water at Jake. Lucy observed the exchange with interest. Her brother had been fostered at the age of seven to train as a knight, so she had little understanding of the bond between siblings. It was a strange thing to witness the obvious affection between them, particularly when she knew them to be half-brothers.

  “Jake,” He fixed a serious expression on his face, “do you ask me if I would choose between your company and that of the lovely Lucy? For even you must agree that her company is surely far more preferable than yours.”

  Jake grinned and slapped down his napkin in surrender. “Aye, I concede. Forgive my brother, Lucy, he knows not how to compliment a woman subtly.”

  “And you do?” Dominic asked.

  Jake opened his mouth to respond but was cut off as a servant lent over and offered some sliced veal. They lifted their plates and Lucy drew in the smell of the steaming meat.

  “I’m saving the boar for Christmas day,” Dominic told her.

  She nodded. Boar. Of course. Another demonstration of his wealth. She laughed at herself. It was not as if she lived the life of a pauper. Why was she being so bitter? He’s too perfect, that's why. I am looking for faults. He had them, she knew that, but he had yet to reveal them. If she could only see some evidence of everything she understood to be true about him. Lord Dominic was surely a master of disguise.

  Dominic interrupted her thoughts as a servant piled food onto her trencher. “May I serve you?”

  “Nay!” She bit her lip. “I mean, nay, ‘tis not necessary. I-I thank you.”

  Sweet Mary, she could not handle him serving her. The thought of his blazing eyes watching her every move as he brought food to her lips sent her reeling.

  He nodded briskly. “As you will.” Did she imagine the slight slump in his posture?

  Pulling her shoulders upright, Lucy fixed a polite smile onto her face. As much as she disliked the man, he was their host. Somehow, she needed to keep up a polite front. “Forgive me. I am little used to being served. I prefer to serve myself. I did not mean to offend.” Did she?

  Dominic considered her, that wretched smile flickering on his lips. “I know not, lass, I think you take pleasure in riling me. But ‘tis no matter. You'll not find me easily riled and I enjoy a spirited conversation. I'll not take offense at your behaviour, but I know not if you'll allow me the same courtesy.”

  “You-you do not offend me, my lord.”

  “Not yet...” He laughed. “Pray do not look at me like that, Luce. Whatever you have heard of me, I am capable of behaving like the noble lord that I am.”

  Smiling weakly, she brought her goblet to her lips and took a substantial sip of the rich red wine. The warmth of the alcohol quickly seeped into her tense muscles. The hungry look in his eyes convinced her that the gossip she'd heard was indeed correct, but what she couldn't comprehend was why it was directed at her.

  ~* * *~

  With the tables cleared away for dancing, Lucy tucked herself into a corner, praying the shadows would swallow her up. Not only had Dominic’s attention remained on her during the meal, but she could feel the eyes of many of the nobles on her, no doubt watching for some sign of scandal. She shuddered at the thought of being fodder for the gossips. Some shameful tale of their downfall always followed the women linked to Lord Dominic.

  Her parents watched her too, her mother with a bright-eyed look of hope. Ack, if her mother thought there was some chance to a match between them, then she needed to put her to rights. Men like Lord Dominic did not marry women like her.

  Not that she wanted him to.

  Speak of the devil. He approached confidently, his natural swagger marking him out from the rest of them men. While they feigned confidence, Dominic exuded it.

  Holding out his hand, his dipped his head and eyed her from under his brow. “Will you dance with me, Lucy?”

  She hesitated, glancing around as the couples took their positions. “I know not this dance.” In truth, she knew few dances, having avoided them for most of her life.

  “I will teach you.”

  Dominic snatched her hand and led her to the center of the floor. Her heart slammed into her chest at the touch of his fingers. Why did his touch always incite such a reaction? Glancing around, she realised she could hardly tear herself away from him. Many were watching them. Especially the women.

  “Stand there,” he ordered as he stepped back.

  Her eyes darted from Dominic to the other dancers who moved confidently around them. He motioned for her to step forward and she did so, bringing herself closer to him. The dancers circled one another and Lucy mimicked them. His sapphire eyes remained on her, bright and alert and her skin tingled under his scrutiny. Why watch her so closely?

  “Now step back,” he murmured.

  She did as he bid, stepping back a little later than the other dancers. Her cheeks filled with heat but she could not tell it if was because of his examination of her or her lack of danci
ng ability. His eyes continued to follow her avidly and she dropped her gaze. Nay, it was Dominic who was the cause of her blush.

  The dancers lined up and Lucy stumbled back, her eyes narrowing as Dominic’s crinkled in amusement. A lord and lady wove between them, working their way up the line. The lady’s hand brushed across Dominic’s chest as she passed, a flirtatious smile on her lips, and Lucy clenched her teeth together. He flicked a disinterested look at the woman before securing his gaze back onto hers.

  Lucy and Dominic did the same, weaving through the other dancers until they reached the end of the line. Keeping her spine stiff, she resisted the urge to peek at him as she did so, but as they faced each other one more, his blue eyes caught hers and she could do little else but stare back.

  Lord, she was getting lost in those penetrating eyes.

  Stepping forward hastily, her eyes widened as his hands came about her waist. He lifted her easily and her heart came into her throat. The ladies around her squealed in delight as they too were lifted and then placed down, but surprise had struck her dumb.

  “Move back,” he commanded quietly, his eyes darkening.

  She faltered as she retreated, her pulse beating erratically. His look of desire confused her and she pulled her chin up. She would not be toyed with like this. It was time to wrest back some control.

  They repeated the first movements and Lucy stepped confidently now. “I hear tell that you are searching for a wife,” she stated archly.

  Dominic barely blinked. “Aye, ‘tis true. Why? Are you interested?”

  “Hardly.” She released an unsteady laugh. “I thought you were to be married to Lady Isabel of…of Greycroft.”

  “I was.” He circled her, appraising her openly as he did so.

  She followed him with her gaze, hoping he could not see through her bold look. “But it seems she married your brother.”

  “That she did.”

  “Are you not angry? Did she not wound your ego?”

  He shook his head with a shrug. “Nay. Jake loves his wife very much, why would I begrudge him that?”

  “You did not love her?”

  “I love Isabel as a sister. She is a fine woman but she is better suited to my brother. I do not regret that she is not my wife.”

  “She probably does not regret it either,” she said with the raise of an eyebrow.

  They wove their way in and out of the line and they waited as the other dancers took their place.

  “Isabel did not suit me, but a woman like you…you would suit me very much.”

  “Ha, you think me foolish enough to fall for such talk? I have heard much of your reputation, Dominic of Thornewall. You would promise marriage just for the chance of a tumble. I would not give up my virtue to such a man.”

  His hands came upon her waist. “That sounds like a challenge,” he said before lifting her effortlessly.

  He placed her down and Lucy gaped at him, speechless. The people around them clapped as the music ceased but Lucy paid little attention. Raw desire glinted in his expression and her stomach twisted. Surely that look was not for her? He was teasing her, playing with her, luring her in so he could strike her down.

  She curled her fists and clamped her mouth shut as she swiveled on her heel. She would not let him make a fool of her again.

  ~* * *~

  Cursing, Dominic watched the sway of her bottom as she stormed up the stairs and onto the minstrel’s gallery. Hell, he hadn’t meant to be so forward, but something about her set him on edge and he couldn’t restrain himself. Montgomery had already warned him that she would not be easily swayed. And he wanted to sway her.

  He wanted to sway her very much.

  In truth, he had never wanted a woman so badly. As did most of the men in attendance, if their open-mouthed stares had been anything to go by. Lucy was a beauty, with one of the finest figures he had ever seen, but it was more than that. He had bedded beautiful women before, but none had ever incited such a reaction. He wanted to mark her as his. He wanted to tear the smile off every man who even tried to garner her attention.

  Running a hand through his hair, he shook his head in disbelief. How a woman had twisted him up in knots so easily was beyond him. Especially one that clearly disliked him.

  Jake looked over at him with a wry smile of amusement and a raised brow. Dominic glared back, knowing Jake was taking delight in seeing his usually composed brother so agitated.

  With a sigh of resignation, he stomped up the stairs and onto the empty gallery. Lucy had her back to him as she stared sightlessly out of a window. He took a moment to study her luscious curves. Dressed in a silk gown the colour of the midnight sky, she sent him delirious simply by looking at her. He had already spent much of the evening admiring her and yet he did not tire of the sight. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he strode over, positioning himself next to her, his elbow leaning on the stone embrasure.

  She glanced at him as she blew out an irritated breath. “Will you not leave me alone? Have you not toyed with me enough this eve?”

  Not nearly enough, his mind growled.

  He touched at her arm and she flinched. “Forgive me for being so forward. I wish to get to know you, Lucy. There is something between us, surely you can feel it?”

  Thrusting her hands onto her hips, she turned and glared up at him, her hazel eyes glowing with fire and, if he wasn’t much mistaken, fear. Did she fear the desire that flowed between them?

  “I know not what you feel -- mayhap I bring you some amusement -- but the only thing I feel for you is disgust.”

  “Disgust?”

  “Aye, disgust.”

  He couldn’t resist the chuckle that escaped him. “Why, pray tell, do I cause such aversion?”

  Pursing her lips, Lucy considered him with the tilt of her head. “We met once before. You will not remember, for I was no comely lass.”

  “I doubt that.” Montgomery had alluded to the fact they had met previously and he would not recognise her. It was hard to believe that he would not have taken note of her beauty.

  She offered him a tight smile. “I assure you, you thought differently at the time. You said I had ‘the grace and the looks of a wild boar.’”

  He snapped his jaw shut, his stomach curdling. No wonder she’d taken an instant disliking to him. He didn’t remember the incident, but the pain in Lucy’s eyes was real enough.

  Lucy gave a laugh. “Aye, no man would dance with me that sennight, not after the great Lord Dominic had passed judgement on me.”

  “Forgive me, I never meant to insult you. I was—”

  “Oh, aye, you never meant to insult me, I’ll grant you that. I overheard you speaking with your friends. You had not even the courage to say it directly.”

  He cursed inwardly. It would not have been the first time his glib tongue had the better of him, but he liked to think that he would not stoop so low as to insult a lady - not now he was older and wiser at least.

  “I was a young lad, I knew not what I was saying. Surely you would not hold my foolish behaviour against me still?”

  “Mayhap I would not if I thought your behaviour had improved at all these past years, but I’ve yet to see a difference. You are still the same arrogant, judgemental, shallow philanderer that you were back then.”

  “And yet you do not know me.”

  “I know you well enough. I have heard tales aplenty of your exploits.”

  He smirked. So she heeds what the gossips say…interesting. Edging closer, he bore down upon her. A faint flush appeared high on her cheeks but she remained firm, holding his gaze.

  “Ah, my exploits. And pray tell what have you heard?”

  “Enough to know that you would not think twice about playing with a woman’s heart—”

  “Your heart?”

  “You could not touch my heart, Lord Dominic,” she spat.

  “So ‘tis gossip that seals your opinion of me. And yet you despise me for my judgemental ways?”

  “Nay, I
… well, what of your behaviour towards me? You can offer no excuse but that you were young. And I have yet to see aught to persuade me that you have changed.”

  “Then mayhap I shall have to work harder to persuade you.”

  “You could ne—”

  Swooping down, he cut her off with a kiss. Lucy squealed but before she could react he had her firmly in his embrace, his hands pressing determinedly into her back. God’s teeth, but she tasted good. Like honey and mead. A faint taste of wine sat on her tongue as he dipped into her mouth. He could stay here forever. She gasped and wriggled, and he tore himself reluctantly away.

  Trembling, she gaped at him. Dominic braced himself for the inevitable slap. Hell, he hadn’t meant to kiss her, but the sweet softness of her lips had practically begged him to, even as she threw insults at him.

  He kept his arms around her, unable to bring himself to release her.

  The fire built in her eyes and he waited. And then, instead of tearing herself away, she came up onto her tiptoes and flattened her lips to his.

  ~* * *~

  Lucy found her fingers curling around Dominic’s neck. Even as her mind screamed at her to stop, she pushed for more. Soft lips parted, his strong tongue invaded and she would have fallen into a boneless puddle on the floor had it not been for his hand burning into the small of her back.

  Just a little bit more…

  It was not like a handsome man would ever kiss her again. She teased him with her tongue and relished the sound of his strangled groan. His fingers pinched into her flesh, bold and strong and she allowed her hands to trail across his arms, fingering the flexing muscles underneath his shirt. Behind her closed lids, stars danced across her vision and as riot of sensations swept over her, a great ache opening up even as his tongue satisfied her own curious one.

  He wrenched himself from her arms abruptly and cold air assailed her as she snapped open her eyes.