Borderland Beauty by Samantha Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

Izzy would have found a way to be together eventually. Let us hope that Lucy will come around soon and I shall have no more need of your assistance.” He scowled as his brother’s grin widened. Ack, he would show him. He would win Lucy over and he would not make a fool of himself in doing so. He chuckled to himself. No more than he already had, at least.
    ~* * *~
    Flinching as she heard soft footsteps behind her, Lucy clenched her fists by her side and turned to face the intruder. Her stomach dropped when she realised it was her mother invading the solitude of her chambers. But who else did you want it to be? her mind taunted.
    “Lucy,” her mother started tentatively as she stepped around the bed to join her at the window.
    “What do you want, Mother? Have you come to talk me into marriage to that man?”
    “Nay, my love, of course not. But I will ask you to at least sleep on it.”
    Lucy snorted. “That is surely one and the same.”
    “Your father kept the contract a secret because he did not wish to pressure you. Neither he nor I will force you to do aught against your will, surely you must know that?”
    “Aye,” she muttered. “I know that.”
    “Then give Lord Dominic time. This contract has come as a surprise to him as well.”
    Lucy traced the window absently with her finger, following the dark line of iron between each pane. “Why have we not heard of this before?”
    “You know well enough of Lord Dominic’s repute and your father is protective of you.”
    She turned to face her mother and crossed her arms over her chest. “And you, Mother? Do you not fear for your daughter’s virtue at the hands of such a man?”
    Eleanor let out a light laugh. “There are far worse things in the world than a man with notoriety. Exaggerated notoriety, at that.”
    Lucy pursed her lips as she thought on her mother’s words. Exaggerated? From what she had seen, he was wholly capable of seducing every woman in the borderlands…including herself. If a man had the ability to bed a woman with little more than a few words and sweet touches, then surely he would.
    Her mother continued. “I will ask that you remain here for the festivities. Naught will happen while I am here to chaperone you—”
    “Naught? Did you not see him kiss me? You did little to prevent that!”
    Eleanor arched an eyebrow. “Aye, and I did not see you protest overmuch either, my dear.”
    “Well, I…I…” Lucy spluttered.
    Her mother gave her a knowing smile. “Lord Dominic is a virile man and few women could resist. He is quite taken with you and I think, if you allowed yourself, you would find that he has many virtues. Virtues, I’d wager, that far outweigh his faults.”
    “Mother!”
    “There are few faultless men in this world, Lucy, and even fewer with the charm and looks of Lord Dominic. Be civil and keep an open mind. Should you find you still despise him by the end of our stay then we shall speak on it no more.”
    Gritting her jaw, Lucy eyed her mother who returned her stare with a bold one of her own. For all her mother’s gentle manners, her strength of will far exceeded her own. And Lucy considered herself to be as stubborn as they come.
    Lucy huffed. “As you will, then. But I warn you, Mother, do not expect a love match from this. I know not why Lord Dominic has expressed an interest in me, but I would not presume to believe that a man like Dominic of Thornewall is capable of loving one woman, especially one like myself. And I would not wish for that love, for what more could I expect than heartbreak? Nay, loving a man like him is surely a dangerous thing indeed.”
    “Mayhap you are right, my love, but not loving at all is surely far worse.”
    Lucy could not resist the twitch of her lips as her mother’s face took on a dreamy haze. “Oh, Mother, would that we were all as romantic as you. The world would surely be a far better place for it.”
    Her mother gave her an indulgent smile. “‘Twould not do you any