Borderland Bride (16 page)

She pressed into his lips, breathing his name.

Jake understood what she wanted. With a yank, he freed one breast from the confines of her bodice. Its delicate tip sprang free and he took it immediately into his mouth as Isabel moaned and arched up to him. He held her to him, slipping a hand under her back. She smelled of lavender and soap, and he drew in her scent as he feasted upon her.

Trailing his free hand down her side, he burrowed underneath her skirts, releasing a faint growl as his fingers met the flesh of her thigh. Jake pressed higher, drawing his knee from between her legs to stroke at the silken flesh that awaited him. Isabel’s breaths became agitated as his fingers brushed against her heat and she writhed under his touch, the straw crunching beneath her.

Jake reclaimed her mouth, slipping his fingers easily into her and clasping the back of her neck as she lifted towards him, her body shuddering as he plunged into her depths. His thumb flicked over her tender flesh and Isabel tensed against him. He drew back to view her, cupping her neck as he moved his fingers within her. She moved restlessly, silent cries coming from her lips as she clung to his back. Isabel’s eyes fluttered closed and her head slumped back.

Moving his hand with increasing urgency, Jake felt her tighten and she gripped his hand with her thighs as a flush of pleasure filled her face. His mouth dried as he gazed at her while he drew out her climax. Her hands fell from his shoulders and she wilted.

Isabel’s eyes drew open, hazily focusing on him as her lips twitched with a satisfied smile.

He smoothed his fingers across her sheening face and his heart expanded while a sickening thud echoed in his chest. God, how he needed her. How would he ever leave her? Jake’s morbid thoughts were quickly forgotten when Isabel brushed her fingers across his jaw, tracing the line of his mouth. He realised he was frowning and he offered a gentle smile, kissing at the tips of her fingers.

“I need you, Jake,” she whispered.

Groaning, he buried his face against her neck. Ack, but he was weak. Jake tugged at her bodice, loosening it enough so that he could release her other breast. He moulded his hand against her and Isabel wriggled impatiently, slipping her hand underneath his chausses and digging her nails into his buttocks.

Need coursed through him and he freed himself from his chausses. She kissed and bit at his shoulder as she urged him forward. Seizing her skirts, he lifted them up and settled between her legs, not bothering to remove his chausses fully. Isabel rocked and whimpered impatiently as Jake braced himself over her, her delicate heat drawing him in. He thrust sharply, gritting his jaw as she enveloped him and she drew in a sharp breath, her eyes flying wide. He froze, gripping at the straw with restraint.

“Did I hurt you?” he rasped.

“Nay,” she replied breathily. “Nay…Jake, I need you.”

“And I you, Isabel.”
More than you can ever know
.

He withdrew before plunging sharply again. Isabel sobbed in relief, burrowing her face into his shoulder as he moved forcefully inside her. She had lured him in and he was lost. He could think of nothing else as she met his powerful thrusts, drawing him in deeper with each movement.

Isabel pressed frenzied kisses to his damp skin and her legs came about his hips, clamping him in place. He released a ragged breath as she tightened around him, sending the world hazy. Clawing at him, she cried out as she stiffened against him. He drove himself into her, murmuring words of love in her ear as she came apart beneath him.

Several more times he sank into her heat before a shuddering release claimed him. Jake collapsed against her, resting his forehead on hers.

“Am I too heavy?”

“Nay.” Isabel smiled, smoothing her hands across his back. “Nay, you are not.”

Shifting to one side, he drew out of her and rested his head on her chest. He cupped absently at her breasts as she weaved her fingers though his hair.

“We cannot stay here,” he mumbled against her skin.

“Nay, we cannot.”

“‘Tis late, we must away to bed.”

“Aye, we must.”

Jake sighed, stroking across her nipples. He laid there, listening to the steady thud of her heart and the slowing of her breaths. “Would that I could stay here forever.”

Reluctantly, he lifted his head and pulled her bodice back into place. Isabel’s gaze followed him as he adjusted his chausses and hauled his shirt over his head. Offering her his hand, he helped her to her feet. How was it he could still feel a thrill from her hand in his after what they had just done?

What
he
had just done with his brother’s betrothed.

Isabel eyed him warily but her fingers remained gripped around his and she tugged him towards her. He could feel his limbs weaken as her body flattened against his and he couldn’t help but wrap his hands around her slender frame.

“Will you see me to my chambers?”

Jake closed his eyes for a moment, his heart becoming heavy in his chest. He placed a quick kiss to her hair, drawing in her scent.

“Aye.”

Leading Isabel across the courtyard, Jake was careful not to touch her. Few were about, aside from the watchmen, but he could not risk shaming Isabel by revealing his feelings for his brother’s betrothed.

Had anyone spotted her entering the stables? Jake snorted inwardly. Ack, but he was fickle. Throwing away Isabel’s affections because of her deceit, to then bed her once she was his brother’s betrothed.

His stomach roiled as he darted a look over her crumpled gown and flushed cheeks. Isabel noticed and gave him a coy smile, her eyes lit with affection. Jake sighed. God’s blood, if he was but worthy of such a look.

The sound of his boots on the stone steps to his chambers echoed through the night and Jake winced with each step he took as he followed the rustle of Isabel’s skirts. Each thump served to secure his guilt and he waited for someone to come bounding up and demand to know why he was with Dominic’s betrothed so late at night.

They paused at the top of the stairs as Isabel glanced at him over her shoulder. “Will you not come in?”

Nay
. “Aye.”

Isabel pressed open the door and Jake followed closely, his hand curling around the crook of her neck as they stood motionless in the dark room. Isabel sighed and tilted her head back gently as he rubbed his thumb over her flesh.

“Isabel, I—”

“Will you not stay, Jake?”

He stared at her back. Why would his legs not move? And still his thumb caressed her skin.

“Just for a while?” she implored quietly. “Just hold me.”

Nay
. “Aye.”

Isabel twisted and wound herself against his chest, drawing him towards the bed. She lay down and tugged expectantly at his hand. With a muttered curse, Jake lay next to her and Isabel wrapped herself around him, her hair tickling at his jaw and her fragrance enveloping him. Ack, how would he ever leave her?

Chapter Ten

The bed was cold when Isabel awoke. Her heart was heavy as she stretched, realising she would find no one laid next to her. She had not heard Jake leave; she’d been too satiated by their intimacy. They had made love once more after he had come to her bed. It was sweet and tender, and had felt agonisingly like farewell. Tears stung behind her lids as she remembered Jake’s gentle words as he had kissed and stroked at her flesh. Her returning words of love had remained trapped in her throat. How could she admit to her love for him when she knew they were to part?

Isabel sniffed, taking in the empty pillow next to her. Mayhap he was just breaking his fast? In the stables she was convinced they could surmount anything but his loving caresses had put paid to those thoughts. Her heart felt empty. Jake was gone.

Throwing her legs over the bed, she pulled her shoulders straight. Winnie would be here soon and it wouldn’t do for her to see her like this. She should be the blushing bride-to-be. A choked laugh escaped her throat. How cruel fate was. A kind, handsome man had given her the opportunity to escape the clutches of her father and yet she did not want him.

A timid knock came at her door and Isabel swiped at her eyes, hoping she had succeeded in adopting a serene expression as she called out, “Come in.”

One of the twins entered and she expelled a breath. They weren’t as attuned to her moods as Winnie. Isabel tilted her head as she studied the young girl. “Good day to you, Mary.”

Mary smiled in response. Good, she’d got it right. After all this time, she still struggled telling the girls apart. Mary didn’t seem to take note of the rasp of her voice or the slight shake of her hands as she struggled to control her emotions.

Settling on the bed next to her, Mary commenced tackling her hair, pulling it around her head and sweeping some curls over her shoulder. A piece of straw fluttered onto her lap and Isabel snatched it from where it settled, tucking it carefully in the folds of her chemise. Her cheeks warmed. What would Mary think?

A more uncomfortable sensation settled upon her. What would Dominic think? Sweet Mary, she had been so wrapped up in her own grief it never occurred to her the depth of their betrayal of Dominic. He was her betrothed and she had eagerly jumped into the arms of his brother. And if she was suffering, then doubtless Jake felt it far more acutely than she did. What had she done? God’s blood, she was a selfish being. If she had never come here, she never would have put anyone in this position.

“There ye go, milady.” Mary climbed off the bed and poured some water for her. “Milady?” she prompted when Isabel remained motionless.

Isabel blinked. “Aye, thank you, Mary.”

Isabel washed quickly from the bowl and stood patiently as Mary helped her dress. Isabel glanced down at the gown, frowning as she studied the thick, embroidered fabric. “I’ve not seen this gown before.”

“Nay, ‘tis new, milady. Lord Dominic ordered ye a new wardrobe. Isn’t it fine?”

Closing her eyes briefly, nausea washed over her. “Aye, ‘tis indeed,” she answered weakly.

“Ye’re a lucky lady, if ye don’t mind me saying, milady. There has been many a lady after the lord’s hand. We all hoped you would wed one of the masters, though.”

Isabel laughed inwardly. Was she trying to make her feel worse? “You are right, Mary,” Isabel said wistfully. “I am indeed lucky. Any woman would be grateful to have such a husband. Would that I could be worthy of such a man…” she added under her breath.

Mary gave a sharp, reprimanding tug on her laces. “Milady, of course ye are worthy. Ye’re highly thought of in Thornewall and the masters love ye. We’ll all be glad when ye become mistress.”

Isabel gulped and pulled her head up. What would her mother say if she saw her like this? She had sinned, most grievously, but she could do nothing but try to make up for her mistakes. She would do all she can to become worthy of Dominic and Thornewall’s regard.

~* * *~

Staring at the ledger in her hands, Isabel frowned. She recognised the numbers but the words still meant nothing. Sighing, she found her thoughts turning to Jake. All his tuition had come to nothing. She just couldn’t bring herself to practice reading and writing anymore.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she handed the ledger back to James. She had maintained that she could handle the running of the keep while Dominic was gone but she had not realised just how much work it would be. It was exhausting. She found herself falling asleep in the middle of the day and her appetite had all but gone, adding to her fatigue.

She didn’t know if it was Jake’s absence or the burden of running a keep, but she suspected it was both. Would she ever stop thinking of him? It had been several sennights since he’d left and yet her heart would not cease aching.

And with Dominic gone there was little to distract her. His tour of the lands had taken up much time and Isabel found herself wishing he would just return. He was due back any day and she often peeked out at the horizon, anxiously watching for him. If only he would come back and marry her. Then mayhap she could move on.

Shaking her head, she glanced at James. “Will you read them out as I go?”

He offered her a smile. “Of course, my lady.”

Moving along the shelves, Isabel checked the grain supplies as James read the accounts aloud. Her head swam as she bent to check one of the sacks and she hurriedly pulled herself upright.

“Are you well, my lady?”

“Aye, aye,” she assured him with a weak smile, even as the floor moved beneath her feet.

Before she was able to comprehend what was happening, the world went hazy and she felt the room lurch as everything went black.

 Isabel was vaguely aware of arms holding her and the world tilting but she couldn’t decide why. Mayhap Jake had at long last returned to her and was carrying her the way he had always done. Nay, it was not Jake, she would have recognised his scent.

Winnie was blustering around her. She could hear her worried cries but couldn’t understand what she was saying. Pounding footsteps reverberated through her, making her head ache and her stomach turn before they mercifully ceased and she was floating on something soft.

A cold sensation jerked her awake and she squinted, trying to make out the faces in front of her. Winnie pressed a cold cloth to her head and James stood over her, concern in his expression.

“My lady? You fainted.”

Pushing Winnie’s hand away, she struggled to sit up but the dizziness returned and she slumped back down. “Don’t be foolish, I never faint.”

“Ye did, milady. Ack, I knew ye’d been doing too much. The lord should never have left ye in yer state.”

“State…?”

Winnie flushed and waved her hand at James, shooing him out.

He hesitated, his eyes coming back to Isabel’s face. “Are you well, my lady? Should I send word to Lord Dominic? He would come back.”

“Nay, of course not, I am well. I have probably just done too much on an empty stomach. Pray go back to your duties.”

“As you bid, my lady.” He gave her a bow and left, closing the door behind him.

“I should probably have eaten this morn,” Isabel confessed to Winnie.