Borderland Beauty Read online

  Jake urged the crowd to part, his big stature and glowering expression carving a path to the gates. Dominic ground his teeth as he looked around anxiously. Isabel awaited them on the porch, looking serene with little Emma in her arms. She offered his brother a loving smile and he knew Jake would be beaming back. Hastening up the steps, Jake came to Isabel's side and took the babe from her. The image of his giant of a brother with his tiny dark-haired daughter almost ate through his apprehension. Almost.

  “Where is she?” Dominic asked snappily as Isabel leant forward to greet him with a kiss.

  “Here,” a voice said from behind him.

  He spun around and opened his mouth, but no words came. It was as if the breath had been stolen from his lungs. Lucy wore a pale blue gown, cinched in at the waist with a golden girdle on her hips. The cut highlighted her spectacular curves and enhanced her fair hair and skin. With her hair coiled around her head and tucked under a delicate net, he fought the urge to bury his head into her elegant neck and kiss and suck at it until she begged for more.

  She smiled impishly. “Think you I would not come to my own wedding day?”

  “Well...well...I...” Dominic stuttered as he cast his gaze up and down.

  “My, my, the great Dominic of Thornewall is speechless. This is indeed a momentous occasion.”

  Shaking himself out of his stupor, he held out his hand as he bowed to her. “Lass, I find I am often without words when you are around.” She took his hand and he tugged her into him. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered in her ear as the priest approached. Her eyes flashed as he nipped briefly at her lobe as the priest took his position on the porch. “I cannot wait to get you back to the keep.”

  “Dominic!” she scolded quietly as they came to stand in front of the priest. Glancing around at the crowd of people watching them, she gave him a wicked grin. “Me too,” she admitted as her cheeks flushed.

  Unable to resist, he hauled her into his arms and pressed a determined kiss to her mouth. She squealed but quickly relaxed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as the villagers clapped and cheered.

  When he finally pulled away, Lucy shook her head as she gathered her breath. “You’re meant to kiss me after the ceremony.”

  “Ack, I can do what I want, lass. I am the lord of Thornewall and you are my wife.”

  “That I am.”

  The priest coughed and they both grinned at they turned to face him.

  “I told you I’d make you my wife, Luce,” he couldn’t resist adding as the ceremony began. Lucy merely smiled and Dominic knew she would make him pay for that smug remark later. He couldn’t wait.

  About the Author

  Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of whom lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

  Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

  Website – http:// www.samanthaholt.org.uk