Borderland Bride

by Samantha Holt

  Carrying Isabel seemed like the most natural thing in the world. She was long, he realised, with slender legs that likely stretched for miles. While most women just reached his stomach, he imagined she would be tall enough to reach his chest. What he would not give to see her stand, proud and wilful once more.

  His loins throbbed as her fingers brushed over his neck. What he would not give to see those legs in their entirety.

  His stomach dropped as they entered her room and he placed her softly onto the bed. A flash of leg peeked from her skirts as she settled into the sheets and Jake gulped, snapping his eyes to the window.

  When it was clear she was comfortable, Jake brought his gaze back to her noting her flushed cheeks. Had he erred in taking her to the hall? Mayhap she had over-exerted herself.

  Isabel’s lips twisted. I am well.

  “Aye, good.”

  On the morrow? Supper?

  Was she ordering him about? Hell, he would not pass up the opportunity to be close to her again.

  “Aye, on the morrow.”

  Jake groaned as he left her. With Isabel around, he spent all of his days anxiously awaiting the morrow.

  ~* * *~

  The next day Jake brought her down for supper, and he continued to do so for the next few days, drawing secret pleasure from the feel of her lithe body pressed against his. There was not a single night that Isabel didn’t haunt his dreams.

  They communicated with ease, and Jake could read her moods effortlessly. He suspected Isabel could read him just as well. She would be the first. No woman had ever succeeded in penetrating beneath his scowl. And he had not wanted them to, not since his wife.

  But for all his understanding of her moods, he could not comprehend how she felt about him. His stomach flipped. Dare he hope she held any regard for him? Isabel was surely too beautiful, too perfect to fall for a man like himself. He smirked to himself. It was not as if he could give her all she deserved. Jake had sworn not to trust another woman again. Nay, she deserved better than a giant with rough manners and too much bearing down upon his soul.

  The door was ajar when he came to collect her for supper once more and Jake could see her laid out, asleep on her bed. Isabel’s auburn curls lay spread out about her as her face remained tilted to one side. Her gentle hands rested either side of her head and Jake was transported back to the forest and the moment he had come upon her beaten body. Bile rose in his throat and he fought the urge to dash forward.

  Sucking in a calming breath, he eased open the door and stepped inside. Jake cast his eyes over her parted lips, her freckled nose and delicate chin. His fingers twitched as he followed the curve of her breasts, encased in a tight green and gold bodice. Heat stirred within him and he forced his gaze back to her face.

  “Lord, you are beautiful,” he murmured.

  Isabel’s eyes flew open and Jake jumped back as her sapphire eyes met his. Her lips tilted upwards.

  “Can you...? You heard me?”

  She nodded with a widening grin and sat up carefully. Jake hastened forward, easing her to sitting and attempting to ignore the rush of pleasure her slender body underneath his hands gave him.

  He stepped back again, taking her in. “But you still can’t…?”

  Nay. Isabel lowered her head.

  “Well, ‘tis no matter. I do not doubt that when your voice returns, we shall regret ever wishing it so.”

  Isabel shook her head with a roll of her eyes. Aye, you will.

  “You do look well, lass. I’d wager you’ll be fully recovered before long.”

  Her eyes dimmed. Aye.

  Why did that cause her anguish? Jake rubbed at his neck as he considered her. “Isabel, if you have a home to return to, you need to tell us. You must know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need.”

  Nay, I have no home.

  “You must come from somewhere. Will you not tell me about it?”

  Isabel twisted her hands and stared at them before meeting his gaze with a shaky smile. Naught to tell.

  Jake sighed. Whatever had happened to her home, it obviously brought her sadness. Would that he could erase that sorrow. But he knew enough of Isabel’s stubbornness to know she would not respond well to his persistence. Hopefully, in time, she would reveal the secrets of her past and how it was she was all alone in the world.

  “Can I escort you to supper then, my lady?”

  You can, my lord, she told him with a grin, holding up her arms to be carried.

  Groaning internally as his knees weakened, he lifted her into his embrace.

  ~* * *~

  Did he hear her contented sigh? Jake holding her was steadily become her favourite thing to do. The heat of his hands leeched through her garments, branding her skin. Making her his? She shuddered as an image fluttered through her mind of how he could truly make her his.

  Had a man ever occupied her thoughts so thoroughly before? Nay, surely not. Yet, she could not decide what he thought of her. Were his attentions merely because he felt duty-bound towards her? But he thought her beautiful. No man had ever called her that before. Aye, she was attractive in a way but her willowy figure and freckled nose was a far cry from the buxom, pale-skinned women that most men found beautiful.

  Jake flicked a glance down at her and she noted the uncertainty in his gaze. She knew him, she was sure of that. She understood the man that lay beneath the hard, stern exterior, so how was it she could not tell how he felt towards her? If she only had her voice, she would probably ask. Isabel giggled to herself. Aye, she was outspoken enough. It was probably a good job she did not have her voice because he would probably drop her then and there in surprise.

  What could she offer him anyway? Jake could never know the truth, not if she wished to stay safe. Nay, she would do well to put an end to these useless thoughts. Once she was better, she would leave and continue on with her plan.

  Chapter Four

  The physician came to visit Isabel a few days later. He pronounced her ribs nearly fully healed but ordered more bed rest. More bed rest! Lord, if she stayed in bed much longer, she’d lose her head. Jake had taken her to supper and there was little else to do. Most of the household was abed but she was not tired. How could she be when she had spent the best part of the day in bed?

  Isabel nearly jumped with glee when Winnie came to help prepare her for bed. Winnie puffed and sat on the bed for a moment as she gathered her breath. Grabbing Winnie’s arm as she made to gather her comb, Isabel shook her head.

  Talk to me, Isabel implored.

  The maid tilted her head with a soft smile. “Are ye not tired, milady? Ye wish for some entertainment? I’m not sure I’ve much to tell ye but I’ll try.”

  Tell me of Thornewall. Tell me of the lords.

  Tell me of Jake, she thought.

  Shifting her rounded bottom, Winnie made herself comfortable. “Well now, what can I tell ye? I’ve lived in Thornewall all my life, ye know. Aye, I was already working in the keep when Lord Dominic was born. Such a bonny babe. We were all grateful when his mother married our lord. She were a kindly woman. Quiet, like Lord Jacob, but she cared for all around her. I attended her until her death. Our lord, Lord Edward, followed her some twelve summers later.” Winnie dabbed at her eyes and Isabel reached over, taking her hand in hers.

  Winnie gave her a wan smile. “There now, milady. ‘Twas a long time ago now. Lord Jacob was a sweet boy too. He doted on his brother and Lord Dominic looked up to him. They were quite the pair.”

  Isabel grinned, imagining them as boys, running around causing mischief.

  “Aye, they were a handful but Lord Jacob took his role as older brother very seriously. Still does. There are people who think him a nothing more than a borderland warrior with his height and strength…”

  Isabel shook her head vigorously and Winnie chuckled.

  “Aye, I know ye do not. Ye’ve seen the soft side o’ him. If only more lasses could. Mayhap then he would find another wife.”

  Isa
bel’s heart jolted. Gripping at Winnie’s hand, she forced her gaze to her. Another wife?

  “Aye, he had a wife once.”

  Isabel’s eyebrows darted up and a pang struck her chest. He’d had a wife? Had he loved her greatly? It certainly explained the hurt that so often lingered beneath that stern brow.

  “Aye, some ten summer ago, when he was but a young man. She were a spiteful, vile woman.” Winnie spat. “The lady couldn’t see past his rough appearance. Ungrateful cow,” she added with a huff.

  What happened?

  “She died.”

  Isabel’s mouth came open in a silent ‘oh’.

  “Not before she tried to kill the master though, vile wretch.”

  Eyes widening, Isabel clasped Winnie’s hand, imploring her to tell her more. His wife had tried to kill him? How could anyone try to do such a thing? It was unthinkable. If he were a violent, cruel husband then mayhap she could understand such an event but Jake… he would never hurt a woman. He was as gentle and as protective as they come.

  “Ack, I don’t know the details, milady. All I know is from the servant’s gossip. I don’t spend much time with the servants of Greycroft. Once she were buried, she were never spoken o’ again and the lord has carried around the burden ever since.” Winnie patted her hand. “It pleases me to see ‘im smile around ye, milady. Ye’re the first lady he’s smiled for since, I’m sure.”

  Isabel blushed and stared at the blanket, plucking at the material.

  “Aye, both the lord’s ‘ave got a soft spot for ye. I am sure…well, ‘tis not for me to say…”

  What?

  A bright and warm sensation sparked in Isabel’s chest. Dare she believe Jake cared for her as more than just a friend? As more than just a maiden he’d rescued? To hold the esteem of such a man…or mayhap even his heart was surely more than she dare hope.

  “Ah, naught, milady. Ignore me. ‘tis just the ramblings of an old woman.”

  Isabel narrowed her eyes at Winnie but she remained silent, eyeing her back with the raise of her ample chin.

  Unable to maintain her serious expression, a grin broke out across Isabel’s face and Winnie chuckled.

  They are close, are they not?

  “The lords? Aye, they are. There are not many men who would remain so close once land and death has come between them, but neither has ever showed a want for what the other had. Lord Jacob loves Greycroft and they both love Thornewall. Neither would see it torn asunder by fighting. In truth, Lord Dominic could easily take Greycroft - there ‘ave been greedy men that ‘ave tried to persuade him - but he would never do that to Lord Jacob.”

  And Jake helps Dominic?

  “Aye. The borderlands can be wild and Thornewall is vast. There are many small villages that fall under the protection o’ Thornewall and it is up to the lord to safeguard them all. Lord Dominic would not do such a fine job were it not for the aid of Lord Jacob. Our lords do us proud,” Winnie added with a straightening of her shoulders.

  Aye, that they do.

  If only more men were like them. Men who weren’t driven by greed or…or womanly pleasures. The men she had been unfortunate enough to socialise with had cared for little other than power or what lay beneath a woman’s bodice. Her father was the former and her entire life had been driven by his insatiable need for more. More money, more power.

  Isabel shuddered. Thank the Lord she was free of that. At least for the moment.

  ~* * *~

  “Jake!”

  Jake turned and glared at his brother. “What?”

  Sat in a large chair, Dominic looked up from his book and shook his head. “Will you cease your pacing? If you have need of some exercise, will you not do it out in the courtyard? Or better yet, do some weapons training.”

  “‘Tis dark.”

  “Aye, mayhap we’ll be lucky and you’ll have an accident. At least then you’ll cease wearing a hole in the floor.”

  Jake stared at the huge fireplace that dominated the hall and clenched his fist by his side. His feet twitched and he put a hand to his neck, rolling it with a sigh.

  “Why do you not just go see her?”

  “See who?”

  Dominic lowered his book and gave him a knowing look.

  He shifted. “She is probably resting.”

  Dominic continued to stare at him.

  “She won’t want to see me anyway.”

  Raising his brow at him, Dominic shook his head with a sigh. “I’ll go then. I have not seen her all day and she is likely lonely.”

  “Nay,” Jake snapped. “I’ll see to her.” Pushing away from the fireplace, he paused. “I’ll blame you, Brother, should she be resting.”

  Dominic chuckled. “Aye, aye.”

  Resisting the urge to growl at his brother’s dismissive tone, he stomped away to the courtyard. Peering up, his could just detect a glow emanating from the guest quarters windows. Isabel was awake at least. God’s blood, he could not stop thinking of her. He hungered for her sweet smile and bright azure eyes. He snorted. No doubt she thought him as much a fool as his brother did.

  The thought did little to slow his pace. She lured him up the stairs and to her door.

  He hesitated at her door, pushing a hand through his hair before twisting the door handle. Isabel was awake and Winnie was with her, sitting on the edge of the bed and chatting away merrily. Jake frowned. They were becoming inseparable. Winnie was a consummate gossip and knew him far too well. He did not relish the thought of her appraising Isabel of all his faults.

  Both women greeted him with a smile but Isabel’s was the only one that pulled at his heart as her eyes beamed at him.

  “Milord. Can we help ye?”

  Jake cleared his throat. “I was just…uh… checking on Isabel. How are you, lass?”

  Well. Thank you.

  She did look well. The only bruising that remained was around her neck and her curls disguised the worst of it. Only a tiny scratch marred her forehead. Isabel shifted in her bed and winced, reminding him she was not wholly healed.

  They eyed each other for a moment and Jake’s heart raced.

  “Isabel is in need of entertainment, milord,” Winnie interjected brightly.

  Jake jolted, blinking at the woman. “Oh, aye… aye, you must be tiring of your surroundings, but the physician said you should remain abed for a few days longer.”

  Isabel pursed her lips and jutted out her chin. Jake couldn’t help but laugh. A look of indignation flashed across her face as her mouth opened in protest.

  “Just a few more days,” he assured her. “What would you like to do?”

  She shrugged.

  “Well what do you do normally?”

  Sew, she motioned with her hand, dance…

  “Soon, lass, soon. We’ll have you a fine feast when you’re well enough. Mayhap I could bring you a b…” The words died on his lips as he remembered she couldn’t read.

  Flushing, she lowered her eyes and Jake silently cursed. He studied the room for inspiration, his eyes alighting on the chess table tucked into the back of the room.

  “Do you play chess?”

  Isabel nodded eagerly and Jake let loose a breath. Whether it was a sigh of relief, he did not know. Now he would have to spend the eve sitting across from her, gawking as her brow crinkled in thought. Mayhap he would have been better off taking himself to the donjon and having himself stretched on the rack. Surely that would be less torture?

  Dragging the table over, he angled it so that she could reach the pieces with ease from her bed.

  “Winnie, you’re in the way, woman,” he scolded lightly as her feet dangled off the bed.

  Winnie hauled her buxom form off the bed. “Forgive me, milord. I have duties that need attending to anyway.” She flicked a look between them both before giving Jake a grin. “Good night, milord and lady.”

  Ack, he was getting sick of seeing that look on everyone’s face.

  Jake spread the pieces and Isabel watched eagerly. Gra
bbing the rickety chair - hadn’t he meant to replace that? - he set it opposite her. She frowned at the board and put a finger to her lip, nibbling gently on it.

  The tingle of arousal surged through him and Jake shifted in the chair. “Do you need help, lass?”

  He didn’t know many lasses that could play well without a man helping them. It defeated the point in playing but he would gladly help her win if it meant he could see her smile.

  She shook her head with a twist of her lips and made her first move, confidently moving her pawn forward. Jake responded with his pawn, his eyes never leaving hers. Isabel brought forward her knight and Jake considered her lithe fingers eagerly as they clutched the wooden piece.

  The soft wisp of her robe and the crinkle of bedding were the only audible sounds as they played. Jake watched the wrinkle of Isabel’s brow as she studied the board and clenched his fists. What was it about this woman that drove him to the edge? He longed to fling aside the board and take her into his arms, barely healed ribs be damned.

  Jake followed her moves unthinkingly. He dropped his gaze to the board, only to find it drifting up to Isabel once more. If she saw his scrutiny, she showed no sign of it. Isabel played with serene confidence, each movement seeming as if crafted just to torture him. The clutch of soft hands, the reach of a slender arm, the curve of a breast leaning forward…

  He did not want her. He did not want her. Who was he kidding? But he could not give into temptation. Isabel was too good for him. He’d proved himself a failure as a husband once before, he would not inflict himself upon her. Women were not to be trusted anyway. Nay, he would do well to forget his desire for her.

  Isabel’s lips moved and she placed her piece down with a flourish. Jake frowned and stared at her mouth as she spoke again, regarding him with expectation.

  Checkmate.

  He looked to the board. Ack, but she was right, she’d bested him, the wily lass.

  Rubbing his brow, he studied her pieces with bemusement. Isabel eyed him warily until he grinned and her face relaxed.