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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  BORDERLAND BEAUTY

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Copyright © Samantha Holt, 2013

  Cover Art ® 2013 by VALERIE TIBBS

  BIN# JGPR2003019-SH2

  Electronic Publication Date: May 2013

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Jupiter Gardens Press.

  Borderland Beauty

  Samantha Holt

  Prologue

  Northumbria, England 1368

  “Thornewall?” Lucy stared at her mother. “We’re to go to Thornewall for Christmas?”

  Her mother eyed her with a look of bemusement as she hauled out a gown from the wooden chest that occupied one corner of her chambers. “Aye, this will do nicely.”

  “You know I loathe large gatherings, Mother. And Thornewall of all places…”

  “Aye, my dear, I know you do. Though Lord only knows why. A girl of your…age should welcome the chance to meet fine men and there is no place better to do it than in Thornewall.”

  Slapping her comb down on the table in front of her, she turned from her mother. Lucy contemplated herself in the mirror. What her mother meant was that it was time she found herself a husband. At one and twenty, she was turning into an old maid. She tilted her face, eyeing her complexion. It was pale and smooth, thankfully having lost the pallor that she used to be afflicted with as a young maiden, and it had not aged. Ack, not that it had made any difference. No man wanted her. No man ever had.

  Her mother’s chattering cut in through her thoughts as she uttered a name she knew all too well, “…and Lord Dominic is, of course, a most handsome lord. You would do well to catch his eye, Lucy.”

  Swiveling on her chair, she fixed her mother with a cold stare. “Lord Dominic is an arrogant blackguard. I would do well to steer clear of him. Anyway, ‘tis unlikely he would pay any attention to me.”

  Her mother flung the gown she was holding across the enormous canopied bed and pressed her hands onto Lucy’s shoulders, urging her to face the mirror.

  “You, my love, are a fine beauty. Lord Dominic, or any other man for that matter, would do well to have you for his wife.”

  Her mother ran her hands through her fair hair as Lucy scowled at herself. Her mother had the blessing of dark, silky hair that did exactly as it should. Unfortunately for Lucy, she had inherited her father’s looks…and build. Her fair hair hung perfectly straight and would never curl, instead falling all the way past her bottom. It was not as mousy as it once was, for which she supposed she should be grateful. Years of horse riding and hawking in the sun had picked out pale highlights that at least added some interest to it.

  “Well, Mother, I assure you, there is no chance of me ever becoming his wife. Men like Lord Dominic do not look at women like me and I would not wish it so. I would sooner die an old maid than marry a man of such repute.”

  Gasping, her mother clutched her hands to her chest. “Die an old maid? Lucy, you taunt your mother so. ‘Tis most unkind. Anyway, I am sure you shall be an old maid no longer by the end of the Christmas celebrations.” Her mother’s grey eyes sparkled and Lucy’s stomach dropped. What was she planning?

  “Mother…?”

  “I just mean that you are bound to catch a man’s eye, that’s all, especially now that you are not so bu—so…so curvy.”

  Lucy snorted. So buxom, she meant. She cast her eyes over her mother’s silk gown. She was as slender as a reed. Flicking a glance down at her own generous bosom, she heaved a sigh. Aye, she had at least slimmed out as she had aged. As a young girl, she had been as plump as they come. The weight had gradually dropped off as she became an active rider, but now she had a tiny waist and huge breasts that refused to be confined. To add to it, her hips still flared out and her bottom made any gown stick out whether she wanted it to or not.

  Meeting her mother’s worried gaze, she offered her a small smile. “I have no need of a husband. Father is rich enough and Edward will inherit. I have no obligations to fulfill.”

  “Aye, my love.” Her hands came back on her hair, smoothing across it. “Edward will return with his wife soon and they shall no doubt bring forth some children, but I wish not for you to marry for duty, I wish for you to marry for love. ‘Tis a fine, fine thing.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes at her mother’s wistful tone. It was all well enough for her mother, who had happened to fall in love with the man her father had chosen for her, but she knew well enough few other people had been as lucky.

  “‘Tis a fine thing, indeed, but I’ll not find love this Christmas. And I’ll certainly not find love with Lord Dominic.”

  Chapter One

  “A marriage contract?”

  Dominic looked at his older brother with a shrug. “Aye. Apparently it was drawn up when we were but babes. Have you heard tale of it, Jake?”

  Jake shook his head, sweeping a hand through his chestnut hair. “Nay, of course not. I would have said something, should I have known.”

  Dominic thrust a missive into his hand and paced across the tiled floor of the hall as Jake cast his gaze over it.

  “Why have we not heard of this before?” Jake asked him.

  “Read on, Brother. Lord Walter Montgomery claims that he had hoped his daughter and I would come to know each other over the years before fulfilling the contract. Lord knows, Father was not of sound mind after Mother’s death, I suspect he may well have clean forgotten about it!”

  Jake frowned. “You are a fine catch, I am surprised Montgomery has not forced the contract sooner. ‘Tis unusual for a father to be so concerned for a daughter’s welfare.”

  “That we well know.” Jake was no doubt thinking of his wife’s father, who was as heartless and callous as they come, trying to sell off his daughter to a rich but wicked man. “Though I expect you shall be just as soft-hearted should Izzy bear you a daughter.”

  A gentle grin spread across Jake’s face and Dominic studied him for a moment. For everything that had happened between them, Isabel had done wonders for his brother’s surly temperament. It was fascinating to watch really, his huge older brother brought to his knees by a beautiful lass.

  “How is Izzy anyway?”

  “Aye, well. Though she does not take to confinement well. She’s keeping everyone on their toes. We shall all be glad when the babe finally comes…but back to this contract, Dominic. What shall you do?”

  “Montgomery intends to visit for the Christmas festivities along with his daughter and wife. He asks that I meet with her, but states that it is up to his daughter to accept me.” Dominic shook his head. Some strange woman now held sway over his future. “I do not even recall his daughter, do you know of her?”

  Stroking a hand across his broad chin, Jake studied the missive again. “Nay, but then I have few
visitors to Greycroft, and you know I take little joy in festivities. It says here she has not visited Thornewall in many years. ‘Tis likely I’ve never met her.”

  Dominic snorted. “Aye, which begs the questions, why is Montgomery hiding her away? Think you I am contracted to marry some beast of a woman?”

  Jake eyed him with a raised brow. “You would do well, little brother, to cease your insults of your betrothed. Anyway, you have been seeking a wife for nigh on four seasons now. Why not marry this one? Lord knows you’ve had enough opportunities to marry, and you’re not getting any younger.”

  “Ha, need I remind you, that I would have no need of a wife had you not stolen Izzy from me.”

  His brother’s brown eyes darkened and his strong brow furrowed. Dominic had to prevent his lips from twitching.

  “Isabel,” Jake told him pointedly, “would never have agreed to marry you had it not been for her father’s threats. Thankfully, she came to her senses and married the right brother.”

  “You came to your senses, you mean, though you are both as stubborn as each other. But I will concede, she did marry the right brother.” Staring back out of the window, Dominic heaved a sigh. “Montgomery will be here this day, shall you be staying for the celebrations?”

  “Aye, but I will return to Greycroft in the morn. I dare not leave Isabel any longer but, fear not, I shall stick around to protect you from this unknown maiden.”

  “Ack, protect me?”

  “Aye, I know ‘tis normally the maidens that need protection from you but think on it, Dominic. If it’s up to the lady, then you need not be concerned. If you find her displeasing, turn off the charm for one night and scare her away. If she is not, then you finally have yourself a wife, along with an alliance with Montgomery. ‘Twould be well worth considering.”

  “Turn off the charm? Easy enough for you to say, Jake, you have the manners of a wild boar.”

  “Tell that to Isabel,” he said with a wry grin.

  “Will you never let me forget that?”

  Jake laughed before fixing him with a serious look. “Give the lass a chance. You need a wife, and a good one at that. Mayhap she will do you well. Even if she is not as pleasing to the eye as some of your previous conquests, she is likely to have at least a little more wit than all of them put together. Think on it, will you?” Jake snatched a goblet and poured himself some ale before throwing his large form into the chair by the fire. “When will they be here? The journey has wearied me some.”

  “Not until later, I expect. Montgomery will likely travel after noon. Though he will want to be here before dusk.”

  “The reivers are still causing you trouble?”

  Dominic followed his brother’s suit and sat in the oak chair opposite, leaning into the fire. “Aye, and they are getting bolder. They snatched some livestock in daylight from one of the smaller villages not two days ago.”

  “Then an alliance with Montgomery will certainly do no harm. Mayhap with your combined power, you can put an end to the reiver threat once and for all.”

  Rubbing a hand across his brow, Dominic took the missive from Jake and glanced over it again. His brother was right. He did need a wife, and an alliance with Montgomery would aid him in his campaign against the Northumbrian border reivers. Thornewall was no easy demesne to manage with its vast size and proximity to the Scottish border. And a wife to keep an eye on things while he was away would be a great help. And he had need of an heir. But so far he had not found a lass that would be up to the task. Aside from Izzy…

  He studied Jake once more with twist of his lips. His brother did look weary, but no more than any other lovesick man whose wife kept him up at night. It was good to see him so content, especially after everything his first wife had inflicted upon him.

  Laughing inwardly, he imagined the indomitable Isabel leading his giant of a brother around. She was a fine woman. He had thought himself half in love with her for a while, but when he saw the love between his brother and his wife, he realised he had no idea what love was. He probably wouldn’t ever find out, either, if he married Montgomery’s daughter, the mysterious woman that she was. Ack, hopefully she wouldn’t be too ill-favoured.

  ~* * *~

  The hall doors swung open and Dominic’s captain, James, strode in as a heavy-set man followed on his heels. Dominic came to his feet and offered Montgomery a reserved smile. He was not prone to nervousness, but the knowledge that this man held his future in his hands caused his palms to prick with sweat. He had been lord since he was seventeen and he was not used to others controlling his life.

  Montgomery regarded him with a guarded expression, as if weighing him up. Dominic did the same, casting his gaze over the wide-shouldered man as he offered him a bow. The old lord was tall, with a thick waist, but he retained the look of a warrior, with worn leather armour stretched across his chest.

  “My lord,” Dominic greeted him.

  “Thornewall.” The fair-haired lord gave him a brusque nod, leaving Dominic in no doubt that Montgomery did not intend to concede any power to him.

  The look in the lord’s eyes assured him that the man was fully aware that he had complete control over him. Dominic bit back the curses that sat on his tongue and covered them with another smile.

  Dominic motioned to the trestle table that ran across the raised dais. “Will you take a drink?”

  “I thank you, but I will wait for the women to join us. They are readying their belongings.”

  “Aye.” And Montgomery no doubt ordered them to remain behind while they discussed the marriage contract. Dominic ran a hand over his hair. “I must ask why it is that I have not met your daughter before.”

  “You have, many years before, though she is not…the same as she was then. You would likely not recognise her. She is a quiet sort of lass and prefers to remain in Tyneridge.”

  Dominic considered this. Her being a quiet woman didn’t bother him, as long as she could perform her duties, but he’d rather hoped for someone with a strong character. A weak woman might not be able to bear the burden of being his wife and all the responsibilities that came along with it. And why should he not recognise her? Montgomery was hiding something, and Dominic didn’t like it one bit. He fixed Montgomery with a bold stare. “Why have you not pushed for our betrothal?”

  The man snorted. “You are straight to the point, I’ll give you that.” Montgomery paused and glanced out of the window before turning his attention back to Dominic. “It may seem odd to you, but my daughter is precious to me. She nearly died as a babe and I would do aught for her. I have watched you grow into a fine leader, Thornewall, but you have a repute that is hard to ignore. I would not subject my daughter to that.”

  Dominic smirked inwardly. Aye, he knew well of his repute. He was no saint, but the rumours that surrounded him were beyond laughable at times. Bedding French royalty, sordid affairs at court…Ack, he’d had successes enough, but he never bedded married women or seduced innocent virgins. All his bedmates had been willing participants, and they always parted amicably.

  “So why now?”

  Montgomery stroked at his grey-streaked beard. “I wish not for my daughter to be lonely, I am no young man. I would like to at least give her the chance at a betrothal. Frankly, she would make a fine wife. She is a beauty, but I would wish for her to find a man that sees her true worth. My daughter is a spirited, intelligent woman and will take much courting. If you could be that man, then I would gladly offer you her hand. If you be false, then I would rather my daughter remain unmarried.”

  “I will make her no promise that I cannot keep.”

  “Said like a true diplomat.”

  “I promise I will not be false. In spite of my repute, ‘tis not in my nature to deceive a lady. I shall take her as I find her.”

  Montgomery nodded sagely. “Aye, well that is all I can ask. But pray do not tell her of this contract, she will—”

  Dominic held up his hand. “Wait, she does not yet know of this
contract?”

  Shifting awkwardly, Montgomery clasped his hands behind his back, pushing his ample stomach forward. “She does not. And I have no intention of telling her…yet. My daughter is…headstrong and will does not take well to being told what to do. Just as you have promised to take her as you find her, I hope she will do the same for you.”

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dominic sighed. Christ, what had he let himself in for? First she was shy, now she was headstrong. What sort of a woman was this?

  “She would not take well to you, should she know of the contract,” Montgomery continued.

  “And when shall you tell her of it? On our wedding day? I take no pleasure in deception, Montgomery.”

  His eyes hardened, reminding Dominic of the accomplished warrior that sat behind that portly belly.

  “Nor I,” he grated out. “Particularly not when the deception involves my daughter but if I can see this contract fulfilled and secure the happiness of my daughter, then I will. I would wish to honour you mother’s wishes.”

  “My mother wanted this?”

  “Aye, well, we all did. ‘Twould be no bad thing to have our lands joined, but your mother was the one that pushed for it. Ack, Lord knows she was the wisest of us all, so mayhap she knew what she was doing.”

  Dominic nodded slowly. He could not very well deny his mother’s wishes. Though he was only a child when the plague took her, he remembered well her kind, gentle temperament. He would have to at least give this lass a chance.

  “As you will, then. I will say naught of the contract, and if your daughter will have me, I will consider making her mistress of Thornewall.”

  A look of relief swept over the man’s face as his shoulders dropped, and Dominic had to keep himself from laughing. It was almost as if the old warrior feared his daughter. He wondered what it was about the lass that generated such a reaction.

  Ack, well, it would take more than a stubborn lassie to cow him. He knew women, and he knew how to handle them. If he found her pleasing, he would surely be able to charm her around to his way of thinking before long. And then the marriage contract would be a nice little surprise for her.