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  Her heart expanded as she felt him grin against her skin. Mayhap, just mayhap he felt the same way.

  ~* * *~

  Scrubbing a hand across his face, Dominic stretched. Only he couldn’t. His arm was trapped. What the—?

  Lucy.

  The hall was dark now, the flames of the fire having burnt to embers but enough night time illumination filtered in through the windows to highlight her body.

  His heart clenched as he recalled their loving embrace. Lord, he couldn’t remember ever being so consumed by a woman. She was so passionate, so giving. And she understood. She understood all his worries, all his burdens. He didn’t want someone to take them away or to attempt to erase them. He was proud to be lord of Thornewall. Nay, he just needed someone…there.

  Dominic’s lips tilted as he studied Lucy’s gentle face. The faint rasps of her breath between her lips worked to soothe him, the fluttering of her lids eased the pains of the previous day. She had known precisely what he needed, and given it to him, without thought or question. Had he done it? Had he finally broken through?

  Ack, well she agreed to marry him. Surely he could now claim her as his own.

  Lucy shivered and he tugged her closer, brushing the back of his hand up and down her arm. She stirred and rolled over, pressing her body against him. He bit back a groan.

  “Luce?” he whispered.

  Burrowing further into him, she mumbled something indistinguishable.

  “Lucy?”

  She mumbled again as her hands worked over his shoulders, yanking him closer. Flattening her lips to his skin, she proceeded to kiss across his chest as her hands played impatiently over his body.

  Closing his eyes for a moment, he luxuriated in the soft touch of her lips. One hand snaked between them and grabbed at his increasing arousal.

  “Lucy!”

  Her hand froze as she jolted awake and she blinked as she took in his naked state before taking in her own. Clapping her hands over her chest, she attempted to wriggle away from him but he held firm.

  Reaching over her, he grabbed at her discarded gown and wrapped it around her body. She offered him a tentative smile and his breath caught in his throat. Dropping down to give her a gentle kiss, he skimmed a thumb across her cheek and pushed her hair back from her face.

  “Come to my bed, Luce, ‘tis cold,” he murmured against her lips.

  “I cannot,” she whispered back.

  His muscles bunched. Lord, had he lost her already? “Why ever not?” he asked lightly.

  “‘Tis not proper, Dominic. What if someone sees me?”

  He relaxed and let out a slow breath. “I would not see you dishonoured, lass. I ask but a few more hours of your time, ‘tis all. I’ll not let you be seen, I swear it.”

  She chewed at her lip and he held his breath. He didn’t think he could survive the coming day if he didn’t have just a few more moments with her.

  “Aye, as you will.”

  Laughing, he snatched her up as she squealed and clutched at her gown. “You need not make it sound like a hardship, woman.”

  She laughed too and he relished the sound. Soon he would be able to spend whole days making her laugh and there would be no shame in having her awaken in his bed. Bounding up the steps, he kicked open the door to the solar and cursed as he stumbled into a chair. Lucy giggled and he dropped her unceremoniously onto the bed causing her to squeak in indignation.

  “You’ll not be laughing if I’m incapacitated for the night.”

  “From a bump? The great lord of Thornewall incapacitated by a bruise! What a tale to tell.”

  “You’ll be telling no one, lass,” he growled as he claimed her mouth with a punishing kiss. Lucy released a faint moan and looped her arms around his neck.

  With a sigh, he disentangled himself from her arms and snatched up a taper, setting it to the fire and lighting a candle. Dominic placed the candle on the table at his bedside and Lucy burrowed into the covers, a faint blush seeping through her cheeks and onto her chest. He chuckled. How it was that she could be so coy was beyond him, especially after what they had just done.

  Settling himself next to her, he pried the sheet from her stiff hands, easing it off so he could admire her curves. And, God’s blood, were they curves. He had thought her astounding dressed in all her finery, but with nothing on…Sweet Lord, he was certain she could ask anything of him and he would do it.

  Tracing a finger across the swell of each breast, he pressed over her nipples and ribs. He flattened his palm against her waist, marvelling at how tiny it looked underneath his large hand. As he gripped at her rounded hips, he flicked a glance to Lucy’s face. Her cheeks were bright red and she nibbled at her lip as uncertainty filled her gaze.

  “Why do you look at me so, Luce?” He shifted closer and pulled her against him. “Have I displeased you?”

  “Nay! Nay, not at all…I am just…could we not blow out the candle?”

  Dominic resisted the urge to laugh, he had already seen every inch of her under the firelight, but he could hear the unease in her voice. “I wish to see you,” he told her with a kiss to her forehead. “Every sweet, supple part of you.”

  His pulse quickened as he studied her again. Aye, it was a good job she had agreed to be his wife, for no other woman could possibly compare now.

  “But…but I am not like you.”

  He pushed himself up onto his elbow and frowned at her. “What is your meaning?”

  “Well, you are…perfect, and I am…” She gestured to herself with a dismissive flick of her hand.

  Trying to ignore the swell of pride that filled him, he snatched her hand, holding it close to his chest. “Is this because of my foolish words as a young man?”

  “Nay…aye, a little. But ‘twas not just you. I know well enough others thought the same. You were the only one bold enough to say it.”

  “Thoughtless enough, you mean.” Ack, if he could go back and wring his foolish seventeen-year-old neck, he would. “Lucy, you are perfect. You were made for a man’s hands…nay, you were made for my hands. There is not a man around who does not see you and wish you were his.”

  She laughed as she shook her head. Daft lass didn’t even realise that she had half the keep bewitched.

  Hell fire, she had him bewitched.

  Cupping her breast possessively, he kissed at her cheeks and nose. “And they shall have to continue to wish, for you are mine, Lucy Montgomery.” He shifted lower and bit at her shoulder. “You are mine.”

  Chapter Nine

  Lucy was pulling a comb through her hair when Winnie shuffled into her chambers.

  “Good morrow, Winnie,” she greeted the maid brightly.

  “Good morrow, milady.” Setting aside the water jug, Winnie scuttled over and took the comb from her hands before setting to work on her hair. “I did not think ye’d be up yet, not after the events of yesterday.”

  Lucy gave a sigh. So much had changed in so short a time. She had left Dominic’s chambers when it was still dark, feeling wicked and delightfully wanton and though she had tried to rest, her mind would not allow it. Her skin still tingled from his every touch and her body twinged as a reminder of their lovemaking. Who knew it could be so blissfully decadent? Even the minimal amount of gossip she’d heard and her mother’s vague words had not prepared her for the experience. When he took her into his arms for a second time that night, she had wondered if it was possible to die of pleasure.

  “Ye are happy here, milady, are ye not?”

  “Oh, aye,” she breathed.

  “‘Tis a shame the reivers sought to ruin our celebrations. They’ll be burying poor Thomas on the morrow.”

  Oh, Lord. Poor Thomas. Lucy shook her head. How could she have forgotten him and his young wife? Here she was, revelling in her joy, when that brave woman had lost her husband. God’s blood, she was selfish.

  “‘Tis well enough, milady. Ye need not feel bad for being happy, I am glad ye have worked things out with the lord.�
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  Lucy snapped her head up. “I-I know not what you mean.”

  Winnie studied her in the mirror as she worked a braid down the length of her hair and secured it with a ribbon. “Aye, I thought as much.” A mischievous smile spread its way across the old woman’s face. “Well, I’ll be glad to be serving a lady once more when ye are wed. Ye’ll do a fine job as mistress and ye’ll do the lord a world of good.”

  Eyeing Winnie with narrowed eyes, Lucy shook her head with a laugh. “How is it you are so canny, Winnie?”

  “Ack, ye do not get to be as old as I without learning a few things. I’ve known Dominic since he were a babe and I knew he’d not give up on ye easily. Not to mention, ye have a glow about ye, milady.”

  Slapping her hands up to her cheeks, Lucy released a startled squeak.

  Winnie eased her hands away with a gentle touch. “Fear not, milady. ‘Tis only clear to me. I remember the same look on Lady Isabel’s face,” she added wistfully.

  Stiffening, Lucy picked at a ribbon and thread it absently through her fingers as Winnie chuckled.

  “Oh, milady, ye need not worry. ‘Twas clear from the beginning that Lady Isabel were besotted with Lord Jacob. The only thing Lord Dominic feels for the Lady of Greycroft is affection. Indeed, he never looked at her like he does at ye.”

  Allowing a smile to flicker on her lips, Lucy glanced at the maid. “Ack, Winnie, will I never be able to keep any secrets from you?”

  The maid beamed back. “Nay, milady, not a single one. Now, shall we see that ye are looking especially fine today?”

  Lucy patted the back of the maid’s hand with a nod. “Aye, I would beg you do your finest work, Winnie. I should like to look my best.” Especially for when they announced their betrothal, she thought with a grin.

  ~* * *~

  After Winnie helped her wash and dress, Lucy took a few moments to study herself in the mirror. It was a strange thing, for the plump, awkward young girl no longer stared back at her. Instead, there was a comely, radiant woman in her place. It was all Dominic’s doing. With a deep breath, she smoothed down her cotte and tucked in a stray hair.

  Her chest fluttered with excitement as she made her way to the Great Hall for the morning meal. Resisting the urge to skip across the snowy bailey, she moved as quickly as she could. She secretly hoped she would be able to steal a kiss from Dominic if she caught him in time.

  The hall was quiet, with only a few servants preparing the food. Striding purposefully up the stairs, she crossed the minstrel’s gallery and walked carefully up the wooden steps that led to the solar.

  Voices emerged from the open door and she stepped sharply back. She could see Dominic sat up in bed, his hair mussed and his muscled torso standing out in sharp relief against the white sheets. Longing struck her, rolling from head to toe and gathering in her stomach. She could still not see who was with him and she waited. She dare not be seen in his solar with him in his current state.

  “Ye slept well, milord?” Winnie was asking him.

  “Aye, thank you, Winnie.”

  Should she go in? Winnie would not care. She knew well enough all that had occurred between them.

  “Ye look well this morning, milord.”

  Lucy stifled a giggle. She recognised where this was going. Nay, she wanted to hear what he had to say. It was only fair after being on the end of Winnie’s probing herself.

  “What is your meaning, Winnie?” he asked her dryly.

  “Naught, milord. It’s just I’ve seen the same look on a certain lady’s face this morn.”

  There was a silence and Lucy watched as a frown came across Dominic’s face. “Is she well?”

  “Aye, milord, more than well.”

  He rubbed a hand across his face. “‘Twas a mistake, Winnie. I should never have bed her.”

  Lucy gulped as her pulse kicked up and she leant forward. A mistake?

  He pulled on his shirt and clambered from the bed. Moving towards the window, he stepped out of her view with a sigh. “I’ll not make that mistake again.”

  She drew back, rubbing her hand across the front of her chest. She strained to listen but the pounding in her ears almost drowned out their voices.

  “Whatever do you mean?” Winnie exclaimed scathingly.

  “I’ve bedded enough women, Winnie, you know well of that…”

  Lucy spun away, the thudding in her ears becoming deafening. She would listen to no more! Stumbling blindly down the stairs, she crashed into the hall doors and staggered out into the courtyard. Her throat ached and her cheeks were wet, so she realised she must have been crying but her body felt numb.

  It had been a game, just as she thought. He wanted one quick tumble and now he had what he wanted, he was bored of her. How could she ever have thought she could live up to the elegant noble women he bedded in the past? How could she ever have given her heart to such a man?

  ~* * *~

  “Milord?” Winnie tilted her head and studied him.

  Dominic chuckled as a foolish grin spread across his face. No doubt, he looked like a young boy who had just had his first taste of female flesh. “But Lucy is different. I regret that I sent her out like a…like a common whore. I should have waited. She deserves better and I will wait until our marriage before bedding her again.”

  Winnie barely smothered a laugh as she tucked some clothes into the chest at the end of his bed.

  “I will!”

  “If ye say so, milord. Though from the look of the lady’s face this morning, ye’ll have a hard time convincing her of that. She’s as besotted as ye are.”

  “I’m not besotted,” he grumbled. But a warmth spread through his chest. Was Lucy really besotted with him? She had said nothing of her feelings yet, but surely it was only a matter of time. He glanced up at Winnie as he snatched his chausses from her hand. “Ack, be gone with you, woman, and cease your meddling.”

  “As ye bid, milord.” She dipped and scurried away but he did not miss her burst of laughter as she shut the door behind her.

  Damn meddlesome woman.

  He dressed hastily, barely taking enough time to wash and pull his hair back from his face. If Lucy was up, he did not want to miss out on a single moment with her. He had much to take care of. Thomas’ wife would need seeing to and he would need to organise repairs for the village. And after that….

  After that he would announce his betrothal.

  Hurrying downstairs, he was surprised to see that Lucy was not in the hall. Most of the servants had already eaten and the guests filtered in for their morning meal. He greeted them absently as he made his way to the table.

  Picking at his food, Dominic watched the door, his heart ratcheting up a notch each time someone stepped in. Mayhap she was napping? She had certainly tired him out with her beautiful body. Lord knows, he wouldn’t have minded stealing a few more hours sleep.

  With a grunt, he threw down his knife and pushed away from the table. He could not eat, not until he had a taste of Lucy’s lips.

  Pushing his way through the men in the courtyard, he rapidly climbed the stairs to her chambers. Taking a moment to gather himself, he knocked and waited, tapping his foot. He knocked again, then eased open the door.

  Glancing at the bed, he noted that that it was made so she could not have gone back to bed. So where was she? In the chapel? Mayhap she was repenting her sins. Hell, they had been plenty sinful last night, but he didn’t think she regretted it.

  And nor did he. He only regretted that he had sullied what had occurred between them with his impatience. Montgomery had trusted him with his daughter’s virtue, but would he still have garnered her hand if he had been a more patient man? He had to believe so. Lucy was made for him, Dominic was sure of it.

  A search of the chapel proved fruitless. Where in God’s name was she? A prickle of apprehension settled over him as he went to search the rest of the keep. He’d already had one maiden snatched from under his nose when Isabel had gone missing little more than a m
onth ago. He did not think he could bear it if something happened to Lucy. But he’d learnt his lesson since then, and they were far more cautious with whom they let in the keep now.

  He had to be sure though.

  James came to his feet as Dominic entered the gatehouse, hastily putting down his ale on the table.

  “Good morrow, my lord.” James’ quick gaze darted over his face. “Is all well?”

  “Good morrow, James. Have any strangers entered this morn?” He peered out of the window of the tower, as if expecting to see Lucy weaving her way through the streets. With a curse, he ascended the winding stone steps without waiting for a response from James. James followed after him, only catching up with Dominic when he stopped to peer over the walls.

  “Ack!”

  “My lord, we’ve admitted no strangers to the keep. Will you not tell me what vexes you?”

  Dominic turned sharply to see his captain eyeing him with concern as he scraped a hand through his hair. “Have you seen Lucy this morn?”

  A flash of panic shot across the man’s face before he covered it with one of cool composure. “Nay, my lord. But there’s no way anyone has accessed the keep without permission. I’d not let that happen again, my lord. Not after what happened to Lady Isabel.”

  Dominic sagged. James was as loyal and as dutiful as they come, there was no way he would have let someone in the keep who wished to harm Lucy. “Aye, of course. I would expect naught less from you, James. Will you ask the men if they have sighted her? She is nowhere to be found.”

  “Of course, my lord.” James bowed to him and sprinted back down the stairs.

  Dominic clutched at the stone as he peered out over Thornewall. He studied every street, every cottage but could see nothing. Where are you, Lucy? If she had not been taken, then what else could possibly have happened to her. She would not have run from him…would she? Mayhap she had changed her mind about him and feared he would force her into their betrothal now he had bedded her.

  Slamming his fist down upon the wall, he cursed. He should never have taken her. All he had done was prove to her he was as she thought, a man driven by nothing more than bed sport. Ack, if she could only have trusted him. He would not have pushed for their betrothal if she had told him of her doubts.