Borderland Beauty by Samantha Holt Read Free Book Online

to act in haste but you must understand that Lucy is not like other lasses, she will not be courted easily. If you truly wish for her hand then it will not come effortlessly.”
    “I do,” he told her sincerely.
    And to his surprise, he found he did. More than anything, he wanted to make Lucy Montgomery his wife. He wanted to learn what made her smile, he wanted to discover how to make her laugh, he wanted to delve into that quick mind of hers until he had unlocked her every secret. He would have laughed at himself if it had not been for the three people who were watching him so closely. Who’d have thought it? Dominic of Thornewall bewitched by a lassie he’d known all of one evening. And one that hated him at that.
    But he’d soon change that. That kiss …that kiss gave him hope.
    Eleanor turned to her husband. “Come, Walter, let us away. We will speak more on this on the morrow.”
    The man narrowed his eyes at Dominic. “You had better be sincere in your wish to marry her, Thornewall, or you shall have me to answer to.”
    Eleanor gave a sharp cough. “Walter, come now.”
    He glanced at his wife and his shoulders softened somewhat. “Aye, as you will.”
    Dominic and Jake watched as she led Montgomery away, whispering - most likely - calming words to him.
    “Well this is a fine mess you’ve got yourself into, Brother. What compelled you to kiss her? What compelled you to state your intention to marry her? I thought you wanted to get to know her first.”
    Dominic rubbed at his neck as he looked up at his brother. “Aye, I know. But you’ve seen her, Jake. How could I let a woman like that slip through my fingers?”
    Jake’s expression twisted and he cursed inwardly. Jake had let go of Isabel once and Dominic knew he still regretted ever leaving her.
    Finally, his brother nodded. “She is a fine woman, indeed, but it takes more than a bonny face to run a keep. You know naught of her. And you really believe you could settle down with a woman you barely know? Brother, you rarely bed the same woman twice.”
    “I know ‘tis strange, but I have to have her.”
    Jake studied him for a moment. “You are sure this is not just the thrill of the hunt?”
    It wasn’t, was it? He shook his head firmly. “Nay, of course not, you think me a fool?”
    “Many men become fools around a beautiful lass.”
    “Ack, well, not I. When have I ever lost my head around a lass?”
    “Until now? Never.”
    “I have not lost my head.”
    Jake laughed at his affronted expression. “Ha, fear not, I shall not let it be known that the calm, composed Lord of Thornewall has been brought to his knees by a mere lassie.”
    “You take pleasure in my problems, Jake?”
    “Aye, mayhap a little. Though I do not envy you Montgomery’s wrath. Watch your step, little brother, for as old as he is, he is still a fierce warrior. I would not wish to make an enemy of him.”
    “I will tread carefully, I assure you.”
    Though he suspected he would have to tread most carefully around Lucy. But one step wrong and she would deny him again. Her denial of him already made his heart ache and yet he realised that she was behaving with more sense than he was. Well, he would change that soon enough. He wanted her as mindless with lust as he was.
    Jake clasped a big hand over his shoulder and gave him a pointed look. “See that you do. I shall be returning to Greycroft on the morrow and I’ll not be here to watch your back.”
    “I know you think me incapable of managing Thornewall without you, but I have managed well enough while you have been pandering to your wife.”
    “She is with child!” Jake protested. “Of course I am pandering to her.”
    “Aye, and knowing Izzy, she is glad to have you out from under her feet. I doubt she appreciates you fussing over her.”
    Jake grinned. “Aye, mayhap you are right, but if ever you have need of aid, you know that I will not fail you.  I owe you much.”
    “Ack, you owe me naught. You and