The Borderland Legacy

by Samantha Holt

  Grind my face in the dirt -

  How will this win him?

  He sees everything -

  how can I ever fool him?”

  Dominic paused as he shot her a meaningful look and Lucy pressed a hand to her chest as the pressure built until her breaths quickened. She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed her reaction but the rest of the guests were as entranced as she.

  He continued,

  “He is not a seeker of fame,

  A prince addicted to the praise of poets -

  How then can I win him

  With flowing rhymes and poetic verses?

  The glory of his unseen form

  Fills the whole universe

  How then can I win him

  With a mere promise of paradise?

  I may cover the earth with roses,

  I may fill the ocean with tears,

  I may shake the heavens with praises -

  none of this will win him.

  There is only one way to win him,

  this Beloved of mine -

  Become his.”

  He fell silent, latching his gaze onto Lucy’s and she shivered. Become his? Oh, how easy it would be just to fall into those arms. A ripple of applause broke the moment and Lucy clapped her hands mechanically.

  His words echoed through her mind as she sank into bed that night, her mind fuzzy with wine and confusion. Every rational thought bade her to take caution, but her body and every irrational thought said otherwise. Just a few more days, she thought, as the wine-induced sleep encroached on her. Just stay strong for a few more days. How hard could that be?

  ~* * *~

  Curled up in a chair by the fire, Lucy squinted as she attempted to focus on her book. Her skin tingled as she observed Dominic out of the corner of her eye. Her senses had been on alert since he entered the hall, his hair pulled away from his face and his heavy cloak enhancing the breadth of his shoulders. In spite of herself, she had traced every inch of his profile, sucking in a breath as his eyes flicked over to her.

  Burying her head back into her book, she rubbed at her forehead with a sigh. The love story in her hand held little sway over Lord Dominic. No matter how hard she tried, her gaze kept drifting back to him, even though she recognized she was only adding to his belief that she would fall for him.

  Several of the guests gathered near the door and Lucy ascertained that they were going ice-skating. She'd heard mention of it this morning and had been deliberately vague. She'd never skated before and had little intention of doing so. With her clumsy manners, she'd probably give them all a good laugh. Forcing herself to turn her back on them, she hunched over her book and forced herself to focus on the words.

  “Will you not join us, Luce?”

  Tearing herself from her book, she followed the line of his tunic until she reached his face. His eyes flashed as he noted her perusal of him. Silly fool, why could she not behave normally around him? She darted a hesitant glance at her father as something resembling a growl resounded from him. Her mother jabbed her elbow into his side and with an indignant look, he buried his head back into his book.

  “Well, I…I’ve not skated before.”

  “Go on, Lucy,” her mother urged. “‘Twill do you some good to get some fresh air.”

  “I can show you how,” Dominic volunteered.

  Lucy looked him over with a frown. Why was he so determined to spend time with her? She snorted inwardly. No doubt he thought she would be the source of some amusement. A swell of indignation bubbled inside of her. Slapping shut her book, she stood quickly. Well, she would prove him wrong.

  “Aye,” she said firmly. “Aye, I think I shall.”

  “Not unaccompanied,” her father mumbled through the side of his mouth.

  Her mother patted his arm. “Lord and Lady Beaumont will be there, dear, as will the other girls.”

  “Not unaccompanied, Eleanor.”

  “Oh, very well. I will come.” Lucy’s mother smoothed down her skirts as she stood.

  Dominic motioned for her to sit. “Lady Eleanor, ‘tis not necessary. Winnie can accompany Lucy. Pray stay and enjoy the warmth and the wine.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes and watched as they discussed her. Lord, they were all behaving as if she were some young maid. Even Dominic was tiptoeing around her as if she were some fragile flower. Likely awaiting his moment to strike, she thought snidely.

  “Aye, as you will, Lord Dominic.” Her mother sat again. “Lucy, be sure to put on your thickest mantle.”

  “Aye, Mother,” she said through her teeth.

  Winnie scurried to her side and helped her with her mantle as the rest of the party readied themselves for the outing. Winnie gave her a bright smile and Lucy chuckled. Some chaperone Winnie would be. The woman worshipped the ground on which her lord walked. He could do nothing wrong in her eyes. It was a good thing that Lucy had little intention of allowing Dominic any liberties.

  Even if his kisses tasted as though crafted from the heavens.

  Shaking her head, she pulled up her hood, the fur lining tickling her over-sensitive skin. Why? Why did he have this effect on her? It was not fair.

  They traipsed out into the snowy courtyard, followed by several servants. Dominic’s footsteps crunched behind her and she picked up her pace. He caught up with her in several strides but she kept her gaze focused on the servants leading the way, stealing only the quickest of peeks through the fur of her hood.

  “You will like skating, I think. Your mother tells me you are an active lass.”

  Lucy groaned to herself. My thanks, Mother. “Really? And what else does my mother tell you? Pray tell, is she sharing all my secrets?”

  “Nay, unfortunately not. Though I would very much like to discover them for myself.”

  She stared at him for a moment, waiting for the flicker of amusement or the teasing glint, but his expression remained shuttered. The barest glimmer of something flashed in his eyes and it made her chest constrict.

  Drawing in a breath, she offered him a cool smile. “Well, I fear you shall be disappointed, my lord. I hold no secrets.”

  “Everyone has secrets, Luce.”

  “Even you?”

  “Aye, even me.”

  “Aye, likely about the latest French noble woman you bed. Or was it a lady of royal birth? I forget.”

  Dominic chuckled. “Alas, I hold no secrets of those sorts, but you…you definitely have secrets.” His voice lowered and heat pooled low in her belly. Sweet Mary, was the man a mystic?

  Her cheeks flamed and she pulled her cloak further over her face. “I know not of what you speak.”

  They climbed carefully down the mound and Dominic used the opportunity to grab her hand. She went to pull away but the snow was slick and her feet would have gone from underneath her had it not been for his strong grip.

  When they reached the base of the mound, the party followed it round, making toward a thatch of bare trees that led along the hill and into a minor valley. Dominic kept hold of her hand but for the life of her, she didn’t have the strength to tear it away.

  Lucy scowled at Dominic as she discerned that Lord and Lady Beaumont were a fair way ahead of them as they trudged through the ankle deep snow. Was he deliberately walking slowly? Winnie puffed along behind them but even she was a way back as she stumbled inelegantly through the snow.

  Pausing, Dominic snatched her hand closer, forcing her to turn into him.

  “Lord D—”

  “Aye, I know your secrets, lass.” She held her breath as he locked his eyes onto hers and lifted her hand to his mouth. With great leisure, he turned her wrist upwards and brought the tender exposed skin to his lips. “I know that you dream of my kisses at night.”

  Gaping at him, her head swirled as a rush of blood shot through her. She snatched her hand back and rubbed at the tingling patch of skin. “Don’t be a fool,” she snapped.

  His lips tilted as his gaze traced the heat in her cheeks but he said nothing more as h
e strode away from her. Lucy stared at his back for a moment before clutching at her skirts and hurrying after him. Damn the man, how could he have possibly known that?

  ~* * *~

  By the time they reached the frozen lake, the other members of their party were already skating. They whirled over the thick ice, their laughs ringing out. Dominic grinned as he took in the sight of the crisp ice settled amongst the barren trees and snow covered mounds. Many a year had he and Jake ventured down to the lake and enjoyed skating. Many a year had they returned with skinned knees too, he thought wryly.

  The servants had set up a small table and chairs with some food and warm wine. Dominic took a quick sip before it cooled as he watched Lucy over the brim of the goblet. He tucked his smirk behind the rim. Aye, she had been dreaming of him, just as he had her. The flush of her cheeks had given her away. But what would it take to break through her barriers? She was still determined to cast him as a villain. Whatever he did, he needed to do it quickly. Many more sleepless nights, dreaming of her creamy skin and luscious figure, would be the undoing of him.

  She glanced nervously at the ice and he motioned for her to sit on the spindly chair. She sat meekly and he wondered if her tension had made her more compliant. There was one way to find out. He grabbed a pair of skates from the table and knelt before her. Her eyes widened but she said nothing as he carefully unlaced her boots.

  Flicking a look up at Winnie, he noted her watching with a grin. Bless her heart, he couldn’t ask for a better chaperone. Though he suspected Lady Eleanor would have had little objections to his attentions.

  Sliding off her boot, he brushed his fingers over her stockinged toes, massaging them lightly. Dominic heard her sharp inhalation but she didn’t withdraw her foot from his grasp as he expected. Or kick out at him, which he also anticipated.

  He moved onto her other boot and set that aside, sweeping his hand over her other foot.

  “Your stockings are thin,” he muttered with a scowl.

  She released a strangled, “What?”

  Glancing up at her, he noted the pink of her cheeks had darkened to a dusky red. “Your stockings. They are thin. Tell me if you are chilled,” he ordered.

  Her brow furrowed as she gave him a vague nod.

  He grabbed the skates and carefully laced the leather ties around her foot, fiddling with the skate until he was satisfied that it was on securely. He moved onto the other and helped her to her feet. The bone skates sunk into the snow and he dropped her hand, satisfied that she wouldn’t fall.

  Securing his own skates, he was aware of Lucy watching his movements but he forced himself to ignore her hazel eyes flicking over him. He didn’t want to scare her away and his pride enjoyed her observation of him. Whatever she said, he knew she was just as attracted to him as he was her.

  Coming to his feet, he took a moment to get his balance and offered his hands to her. “Shall we?”

  Lucy chewed at her lip as she stared at his hands. “I think…mayhap this was a mistake.”

  “Are you scared of the ice, lass? ‘Tis perfectly safe.”

  “Nay.”

  “Are you scared of me?”

  “Nay!”

  Dominic suppressed a laugh at her indignant tone. “Well, come then.”

  Cautiously taking his hand, Lucy allowed him to guide her to the edge of the lake. He stepped carefully onto the frozen lake, feeling the skates slip as he found his balance. Lucy moved forward, squeezing at his hand and pulled down her hood. His body tightened as he drank in the sight of her. Her pale skin, her silky hair, her succulent lips, all set against the beauty of the glistening snow made his throat dry. How he longed to press his lips to that smooth skin and hear her gasp his name.

  Before he could take a gulp, his legs went from beneath him and he fell with a heavy thud. A startled laugh burst from Lucy and he scowled before laughing himself.

  “I’m glad I bring you amusement, lass, but don’t just laugh, help me up!”

  She smothered a giggle and reached for him. He clambered to his feet and rubbed at his backside with a groan. He was going to have a time sitting down for the next day or so but, hell, if he could make Lucy laugh again, he’d spend the whole day falling over.

  “Well, I have shown you well enough how to fall over, will you not join me in a skate?”

  Her lips twitched and she nodded, taking his hands. Dominic directed her onto the ice, holding both hands as she wavered. She squealed as the skates slid forward but he held her firm and her body relaxed as he drew her across the lake.

  His chest swelled as her eyes gleamed and her lips parted in wonder as they slid along the ice. Skating backwards, he kept hold of her as she trusted him to lead her. She trusted him. He was breaking through to her, he was sure of it.

  They skated like this for a while until Lucy gained some confidence and released her grip on him. She wavered and snatched at his fingers, tugging him forward. Dominic’s body bumped into hers and she teetered backward with a frightened yelp. Snatching at her waist as her feet went from underneath her, they fell together.

  Dominic twisted before they slammed into the ice so that Lucy fell on top of him. His head smacked into the unforgiving frozen lake with a bone-jarring thud. He closed his eyes with a groan as the pain registered.

  Lucy shifted and he released another groan.

  “Oh, Dominic,” she flustered as she brought her hand up to his head. Her nimble fingers stroked across his scalp to the back of his head. “Forgive me. Are you hurt?”

  He peeled open his eyes and blinked as he focused on her face hovering in front of him. “Aye,” he said through clenched teeth, “‘tis agony.”

  “Oh no.” Her eyes studied the length of his body as her hand pressed against the back of the head. “I feel no blood. Is it your head?”

  “Nay, ‘tis not my head.”

  “Then what—” She wriggled against him and as he released another groan, her eyes widened. “Oh.”

  Dominic remained frozen as her soft thigh flattened against his arousal. He tensed, waiting for her to leap away but instead she lingered, her fingers kneading at his scalp to soothe the imaginary ache. Hell’s teeth, what he would not give to have those hands kneading the ache elsewhere.

  He traced the ‘O’ shape of her lips with his gaze as her pupils widened and his pulse kicked up. Even through the thick fur of her cloak, he was fully aware of each dip and curve of her figure against him. He thrust a hand underneath her cloak and cupped at her bottom. The give of her flesh beneath his fingers sent another thunder of longing through him.

  A tiny whimper fell from her lips as she stared at him and a grin of triumph split across his face. She wanted to kiss him, he could see it in her eyes. Placing his other hand against her cheek, he coaxed her forward.

  “Milady,” Winnie hissed in a mock whisper.

  Lucy jolted upright, her skin reddening.

  “Milady,” Winnie called again from the edge of the ice.

  Dominic threw an arm across his face with a sigh as Lucy hastily slid from him. So damn close.

  ~* * *~

  Lucy scrabbled her way across the ice on her knees. She must have looked a fool and her gown would be soaked but she did not trust her legs to hold her upright and she was no master skater without the aid of Dominic. And she did not want his aid.

  A fresh blaze of heat rushed through her. Had she really just let him do that? And she…she had been so close to letting him kiss her again. What was wrong with her? Sweet Mary, if he had asked her to make love to him then and there she probably would have done.

  Winnie helped her to her feet and she shuffled off the ice and onto the relative safety of the snow.

  “Sorry, milady, but yer mother would have my head if I let ye continue. As it is, I think Lord Dominic will have it instead.”

  Lucy plonked herself on a chair and took a generous gulp of the now cold wine. “We just fell, Winnie,” she said weakly.

  “Aye, of course ye did, milady.
Pray tell, is my lord hurt? He has not moved yet.”

  She stole a glimpse at him to see that he remained on the ice, his arm flung over his eyes. “Nay, he is well enough. Winnie, did…did anyone see?”

  “Aye.”

  She dropped her head into her hands. “Oh no.”

  “Have no fear, Lord and Lady Beaumont were too busy and the servants are loyal to their lord. No one will say aught.”

  Lucy nodded distractedly. “We only fell. I just…do not wish for the lord to be embarrassed.”

  Winnie patted at her shoulder. “Aye, of course. Are ye finished skating now, milady? Ye look a little peaked.”

  Giving a choked laugh, Lucy nodded again. Peaked? Was that what it was? Wanting someone with every breath. Was it an illness? Or mayhap she was simply losing her mind.

  Kneeling down in front of her, Winnie loosened the laces on her skates with quick efficiency. Lucy blew out a breath. Winnie’s hands were nothing like Dominic’s.

  She snapped her gaze up as Dominic clambered to his feet with a laugh at himself as he brushed the ice and snow from his mantle. His eyes fastened onto hers and she dropped her gaze, staring at the top of Winnie’s wimple as she laced her boots.

  Shaking her head, she drew her hood back over her hair. Swallowed by the relative safety of the thick fabric, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to the handsome lord. His laughter had been so unexpected. The arrogant Lord Dominic laughed at himself! She had not thought such a man would be capable of mocking himself, yet he did so readily.

  Allowing a little smile to work its way across her face, she considered the patience with which he helped her. Were any of her judgements of him correct? She took pleasure in his company, genuine pleasure. Mayhap…mayhap there could be something—

  “Yer all done, milady.” Winnie came to her feet with huff.

  They both turned to watch Dominic, who skated over the ice with ease now he was unencumbered by Lucy. He gave her a quick wink as he slid by. Lucy sniffed. Nay, he was as arrogant as ever. But for some reason, instead of angering or frustrating her, it coiled inside of her heart, charming her. Lucy Montgomery, you are a fool.