“Everyone has secrets, Luce.”
“Even you?”
“Aye, even me.”
“Aye, likely about the latest French noble woman you bed. Or was it a lady of royal birth? I forget.”
Dominic chuckled. “Alas, I hold no secrets of those sorts, but you…you definitely have secrets.” His voice lowered and heat pooled low in her belly. Sweet Mary, was the man a mystic?
Her cheeks flamed and she pulled her cloak further over her face. “I know not of what you speak.”
They climbed carefully down the mound and Dominic used the opportunity to grab her hand. She went to pull away but the snow was slick and her feet would have gone from underneath her had it not been for his strong grip.
When they reached the base of the mound, the party followed it round, making toward a thatch of bare trees that led along the hill and into a minor valley. Dominic kept hold of her hand but for the life of her, she didn’t have the strength to tear it away.
Lucy scowled at Dominic as she discerned that Lord and Lady Beaumont were a fair way ahead of them as they trudged through the ankle deep snow. Was he deliberately walking slowly? Winnie puffed along behind them but even she was a way back as she stumbled inelegantly through the snow.
Pausing, Dominic snatched her hand closer, forcing her to turn into him.
“Lord D—”
“Aye, I know your secrets, lass.” She held her breath as he locked his eyes onto hers and lifted her hand to his mouth. With great leisure, he turned her wrist upwards and brought the tender exposed skin to his lips. “I know that you dream of my kisses at night.”
Gaping at him, her head swirled as a rush of blood shot through her. She snatched her hand back and rubbed at the tingling patch of skin. “Don’t be a fool,” she snapped.
His lips tilted as his gaze traced the heat in her cheeks but he said nothing more as he strode away from her. Lucy stared at his back for a moment before clutching at her skirts and hurrying after him. Damn the man, how could he have possibly known that?
~* * *~
By the time they reached the frozen lake, the other members of their party were already skating. They whirled over the thick ice, their laughs ringing out. Dominic grinned as he took in the sight of the crisp ice settled amongst the barren trees and snow covered mounds. Many a year had he and Jake ventured down to the lake and enjoyed skating. Many a year had they returned with skinned knees too, he thought wryly.
The servants had set up a small table and chairs with some food and warm wine. Dominic took a quick sip before it cooled as he watched Lucy over the brim of the goblet. He tucked his smirk behind the rim. Aye, she had been dreaming of him, just as he had her. The flush of her cheeks had given her away. But what would it take to break through her barriers? She was still determined to cast him as a villain. Whatever he did, he needed to do it quickly. Many more sleepless nights, dreaming of her creamy skin and luscious figure, would be the undoing of him.
She glanced nervously at the ice and he motioned for her to sit on the spindly chair. She sat meekly and he wondered if her tension had made her more compliant. There was one way to find out. He grabbed a pair of skates from the table and knelt before her. Her eyes widened but she said nothing as he carefully unlaced her boots.
Flicking a look up at Winnie, he noted her watching with a grin. Bless her heart, he couldn’t ask for a better chaperone. Though he suspected Lady Eleanor would have had little objections to his attentions.
Sliding off her boot, he brushed his fingers over her stockinged toes, massaging them lightly. Dominic heard her sharp inhalation but she didn’t withdraw her foot from his grasp as he expected. Or kick out at him, which he also anticipated.
He moved onto her other boot and set that aside, sweeping his hand over her other foot.
“Your stockings are thin,” he muttered with a scowl.
She released a strangled, “What?”
Glancing up at her, he noted the pink of her cheeks had darkened to a dusky red. “Your stockings. They are thin. Tell me if you are chilled,” he ordered.
Her brow furrowed as she gave him a vague nod.
He grabbed the skates and carefully laced the leather ties around her foot, fiddling with the skate until he was satisfied that it was on securely. He moved onto the other and helped her to her feet. The bone skates sunk into the snow and he dropped her hand, satisfied that she wouldn’t fall.
Securing his own skates, he was aware of Lucy watching his movements but he forced himself to ignore her hazel eyes flicking over him. He didn’t want to scare her away and his pride enjoyed her observation of him. Whatever she said, he knew she was just as attracted to him as he was her.
Coming to his feet, he took a moment to get his balance and offered his hands to her. “Shall we?”
Lucy chewed at her lip as she stared at his hands. “I think…mayhap this was a mistake.”
“Are you scared of the ice, lass? ‘Tis perfectly safe.”
“Nay.”
“Are you scared of me?”
“Nay!”
Dominic suppressed a laugh at her indignant tone. “Well, come then.”
Cautiously taking his hand, Lucy allowed him to guide her to the edge of the lake. He stepped carefully onto the frozen lake, feeling the skates slip as he found his balance. Lucy moved forward, squeezing at his hand and pulled down her hood. His body tightened as he drank in the sight of her. Her pale skin, her silky hair, her succulent lips, all set against the beauty of the glistening snow made his throat dry. How he longed to press his lips to that smooth skin and hear her gasp his name.
Before he could take a gulp, his legs went from beneath him and he fell with a heavy thud. A startled laugh burst from Lucy and he scowled before laughing himself.
“I’m glad I bring you amusement, lass, but don’t just laugh, help me up!”
She smothered a giggle and reached for him. He clambered to his feet and rubbed at his backside with a groan. He was going to have a time sitting down for the next day or so but, hell, if he could make Lucy laugh again, he’d spend the whole day falling over.
“Well, I have shown you well enough how to fall over, will you not join me in a skate?”
Her lips twitched and she nodded, taking his hands. Dominic directed her onto the ice, holding both hands as she wavered. She squealed as the skates slid forward but he held her firm and her body relaxed as he drew her across the lake.
His chest swelled as her eyes gleamed and her lips parted in wonder as they slid along the ice. Skating backwards, he kept hold of her as she trusted him to lead her. She trusted him. He was breaking through to her, he was sure of it.
They skated like this for a while until Lucy gained some confidence and released her grip on him. She wavered and snatched at his fingers, tugging him forward. Dominic’s body bumped into hers and she teetered backward with a frightened yelp. Snatching at her waist as her feet went from underneath her, they fell together.
Dominic twisted before they slammed into the ice so that Lucy fell on top of him. His head smacked into the unforgiving frozen lake with a bone-jarring thud. He closed his eyes with a groan as the pain registered.
Lucy shifted and he released another groan.
“Oh, Dominic,” she flustered as she brought her hand up to his head. Her nimble fingers stroked across his scalp to the back of his head. “Forgive me. Are you hurt?”
He peeled open his eyes and blinked as he focused on her face hovering in front of him. “Aye,” he said through clenched teeth, “‘tis agony.”
“Oh no.” Her eyes studied the length of his body as her hand pressed against the back of the head. “I feel no blood. Is it your head?”
“Nay, ‘tis not my head.”
“Then what—” She wriggled against him and as he released another groan, her eyes widened. “Oh.”
Dominic remained frozen as her soft thigh flattened against his arousal. He tensed, waiting for her to leap away but instead she lingered, her fi
ngers kneading at his scalp to soothe the imaginary ache. Hell’s teeth, what he would not give to have those hands kneading the ache elsewhere.
He traced the ‘O’ shape of her lips with his gaze as her pupils widened and his pulse kicked up. Even through the thick fur of her cloak, he was fully aware of each dip and curve of her figure against him. He thrust a hand underneath her cloak and cupped at her bottom. The give of her flesh beneath his fingers sent another thunder of longing through him.
A tiny whimper fell from her lips as she stared at him and a grin of triumph split across his face. She wanted to kiss him, he could see it in her eyes. Placing his other hand against her cheek, he coaxed her forward.
“Milady,” Winnie hissed in a mock whisper.
Lucy jolted upright, her skin reddening.
“Milady,” Winnie called again from the edge of the ice.
Dominic threw an arm across his face with a sigh as Lucy hastily slid from him. So damn close.
~* * *~
Lucy scrambled her way across the ice on her knees. She must have looked a fool and her gown would be soaked but she did not trust her legs to hold her upright and she was no master skater without the aid of Dominic. And she did not want his aid.
A fresh blaze of heat rushed through her. Had she really just let him do that? And she…she had been so close to letting him kiss her again. What was wrong with her? Sweet Mary, if he had asked her to make love to him then and there she probably would have done that too.
Winnie helped her to her feet and she shuffled off the ice and onto the relative safety of the snow.
“Sorry, milady, but yer mother would have my head if I let ye continue. As it is, I think Lord Dominic will have it instead.”
Lucy plonked herself on a chair and took a generous gulp of the now cold wine. “We just fell, Winnie,” she said weakly.
“Aye, of course ye did, milady. Pray tell, is my lord hurt? He has not moved yet.”
She stole a glimpse at him to see that he remained on the ice, his arm flung over his eyes. “Nay, he is well enough. Winnie, did…did anyone see?”
“Aye.”
She dropped her head into her hands. “Oh no.”
“Have no fear, Lord and Lady Beaumont were too busy and the servants are loyal to their lord. No one will say aught.”
Lucy nodded distractedly. “We only fell. I just…do not wish for the lord to be embarrassed.”
Winnie patted at her shoulder. “Aye, of course. Are ye finished skating now, milady? Ye look a little peaked.”
Giving a choked laugh, Lucy nodded again. Peaked? Was that what it was? Wanting someone with every breath. Was it an illness? Or mayhap she was simply losing her mind.
Kneeling down in front of her, Winnie loosened the laces on her skates with quick efficiency. Lucy blew out a breath. Winnie’s hands were nothing like Dominic’s.
She snapped her gaze up as Dominic clambered to his feet with a laugh at himself as he brushed the ice and snow from his mantle. His eyes fastened onto hers and she dropped her gaze, staring at the top of Winnie’s wimple as she laced her boots.
Shaking her head, she drew her hood back over her hair. Swallowed by the relative safety of the thick fabric, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to the handsome lord. His laughter had been so unexpected. The arrogant Lord Dominic laughed at himself! She had not thought such a man would be capable of mocking himself, yet he did so readily.
Allowing a little smile to work its way across her face, she considered the patience with which he helped her. Were any of her judgements of him correct? She took pleasure in his company, genuine pleasure. Mayhap…mayhap there could be something—
“Yer all done, milady.” Winnie came to her feet with huff.
They both turned to watch Dominic, who skated over the ice with ease now he was unencumbered by Lucy. He gave her a quick wink as he slid by. Lucy sniffed. Nay, he was as arrogant as ever. But for some reason, instead of angering or frustrating her, it coiled inside of her heart, charming her. Lucy Montgomery, you are a fool.
Winnie hefted herself onto the chair next to Lucy’s and gave her a sly grin. “The lord is quite taken with ye, milady.”
“Aye, just as he is with every woman he meets. I doubt I hold any real interest for him.”
“Nay, milady, ye are wrong. I’ve not seen him look at a woman like he does at ye in…well, ever.” Winnie puffed out her chest. “My lord has little trouble charming women. He need not pursue you so vigorously if he were just after a quick tumble. There are plenty of ladies out there that would gladly take to his bed.”
“Winnie!” Lucy scolded as a sharp stab of jealousy struck her.
The maid folded her arms underneath her bosom. “Ack, well ‘tis true, milady.”
Could it really be? Did he really, truly want her? And for more than a quick tumble? She could not believe that a man like him held any genuine interest in her. Her hands flew up to her cheeks. But then there was his obvious arousal. That could not be ignored.
The shuffle of snow drew her from her thoughts and she followed the sight of muscular thighs encased in dark linen up to the hem of his tunic where her gaze stopped. Lucy snapped her head up to see the knowing twinkle in Dominic’s blue eyes.
“Did you enjoy skating then, Luce?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. Ack, he was as arrogant as ever. So why did she like it so much?
Chapter Six
Walking up the mound to the keep, Dominic offered Lucy his hand once more. She refused until the snow gave way under her feet and she grasped it with an audible sigh. She flinched as he sealed his hand over hers but he could not prevent his grin. Her reaction was not one of repulsion but no doubt prompted by the same tingling sensation that surged through him every time they touched. Slowly but surely he was gaining ground with her, he was sure of it.
A rider bolted past them as they reached the curtain wall and Lucy's grip tightened on his hand. Montgomery's colours. He frowned. What sort of message could be so urgent that it need be sent on the day after Christmas? Lucy glanced at him, the crease in her forehead revealing similar thoughts. They picked up their pace, shuffling through the snow and across the drawbridge.
"I'm sure all is well, Luce," he said as he rubbed his thumb over her icy hand.
She shivered and gave him a tight nod. Whether she shivered from cold or fear, he knew not, but he longed to haul her into his arms and defeat whatever it was that caused the shiver. Ack, he was well and truly lost. For surely, it should be her sweet body that drove him to such thoughts. It was an odd thing to be more concerned over a lady's welfare than his needs, but he welcomed it as it warmed his heart. If anything, it only confirmed what he already knew.
Lucy was the lass for him.
By the time they reached the hall, the rider had dismounted and joined Montgomery. He handed him a missive and the guests fell silent as they awaited the outcome. Lucy barely allowed a moment for Dominic to help her with her cloak before hurrying to her father's side, her eyes wide with worry. Montgomery screwed the paper up in his hands, his jaw tight.
“What’s wrong, Father?” Lucy asked.
“The damned reivers,” he hissed between gritted teeth.
Dominic cursed. “They’ve attacked your lands?”
“Aye, and killed a few villeins.” Montgomery eyed him gravely. “They’re getting worse, Thornewall. They’re getting bolder. If we don’t put an end to this, then God only knows what we’ll do.”
“Aye, we do need to put an end to this,” Dominic agreed. “You have my sword should you need it.”
Montgomery nodded. “My thanks. First, I must see to the damage.” He motioned to one of the servants. “See the men and our belongings are made ready.” He turned to his wife. “Forgive me, Eleanor, but we must cut our celebrations short.”
Eleanor smiled and put a hand to her husband’s arm. “‘Tis no matter, our people need us.”
Dominic observed the exchange with interest. Lord and Lady Montgomery f
ascinated him. Though he had seen the love his father bore for his mother, she died when he was young and he never experienced it for himself. And Jake and Isabel kept their love a secret, so he had never really seen that either.
His gaze settled on Lucy. Though she held more of a temper than her mother, he knew that she held the same principles and would look after the Thornewall people with the same sense of duty that her mother did. He sighed. If he could only persuade her that she belonged at his side.
Montgomery eyed him seriously. “I wish for Lucy to stay with you. There is no sense in her missing out and I wish to keep her far from danger. Your castle is not only further from the reivers but more secure.”
“But, Father—” Lucy protested.
Montgomery ignored her. “But I warn you, Thornewall, no trickery. I am trusting you with my daughter’s life and her…” His face reddened. “Her virtue. I am asking you to prove that you are the man you say you are.”
Dominic nodded solemnly. “I will see it done, my lord. I swear Lucy will come to no harm, be it by my hand or any other’s.”
“But, Father—” Lucy interjected again.
Montgomery turned to Lucy. “You will stay here. It is safer. The reivers would love nothing more than to capture you and I’ll not have my daughter subjected to such horrors. The journey home will be dangerous enough. I trust that you will be sensible enough to stay out of danger when you are out of my sight.”
“I want to go home with you. I want to help our people.”
Dominic’s heart twisted at the thought of her leaving. For the second time since meeting her, he felt an urgent need to keep her by his side.
“You will be more help here, where you are safe,” Montgomery told her firmly.
She turned to Eleanor. “Mother? You will not leave me too, surely?”
“Your father is right. You are safer here, but he needs me. I must help provide a united front for our people. You will be safe enough here.” She leant forward but Dominic could still hear her mock whisper, “I’d wager you’ll have far more fun too.”
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