Borderland Bride (7 page)

Isabel’s heart jolted. Gripping at Winnie’s hand, she forced her gaze to her
. Another wife?

“Aye, he had a wife once.”

Isabel’s eyebrows darted up and a pang struck her chest. He’d had a wife? Had he loved her greatly? It certainly explained the hurt that so often lingered beneath that stern brow.

“Aye, some ten summer ago, when he was but a young man. She were a spiteful, vile woman.” Winnie spat. “The lady couldn’t see past his rough appearance. Ungrateful cow,” she added with a huff.

What happened?

“She died.”

Isabel’s mouth came open in a silent ‘oh’.

“Not before she tried to kill the master though, vile wretch.”

Eyes widening, Isabel clasped Winnie’s hand, imploring her to tell her more. His wife had tried to kill him? How could anyone try to do such a thing? It was unthinkable. If he were a violent, cruel husband then mayhap she could understand such an event but Jake… he would never hurt a woman. He was as gentle and as protective as they come.

“Ack, I don’t know the details, milady. All I know is from the servant’s gossip. I don’t spend much time with the servants of Greycroft. Once she were buried, she were never spoken o’ again and the lord has carried around the burden ever since.” Winnie patted her hand. “It pleases me to see ‘im smile around ye, milady. Ye’re the first lady he’s smiled for since, I’m sure.”

Isabel blushed and stared at the blanket, plucking at the material.

“Aye, both the lord’s ‘ave got a soft spot for ye. I am sure…well, ‘tis not for me to say…”

What?

A bright and warm sensation sparked in Isabel’s chest. Dare she believe Jake cared for her as more than just a friend? As more than just a maiden he’d rescued? To hold the esteem of such a man…or mayhap even his heart was surely more than she dare hope.

“Ah, naught, milady. Ignore me. ‘tis just the ramblings of an old woman.”

Isabel narrowed her eyes at Winnie but she remained silent, eyeing her back with the raise of her ample chin.

Unable to maintain her serious expression, a grin broke out across Isabel’s face and Winnie chuckled.

They are close, are they not?

“The lords? Aye, they are. There are not many men who would remain so close once land and death has come between them, but neither has ever showed a want for what the other had. Lord Jacob loves Greycroft and they both love Thornewall. Neither would see it torn asunder by fighting. In truth, Lord Dominic could easily take Greycroft - there ‘ave been greedy men that ‘ave tried to persuade him - but he would never do that to Lord Jacob.”

And Jake helps Dominic?

“
Aye. The borderlands can be wild and Thornewall is vast. There are many small villages that fall under the protection o’ Thornewall and it is up to the lord to safeguard them all. Lord Dominic would not do such a fine job were it not for the aid of Lord Jacob. Our lords do us proud,” Winnie added with a straightening of her shoulders.

Aye, that they do.

If only more men were like them. Men who weren’t driven by greed or…or womanly pleasures. The men she had been unfortunate enough to socialise with had cared for little other than power or what lay beneath a woman’s bodice. Her father was the former and her entire life had been driven by his insatiable need for more. More money, more power.

Isabel shuddered. Thank the Lord she was free of that. At least for the moment.

~* * *~

“Jake!”

Jake turned and glared at his brother. “What?”

Sat in a large chair, Dominic looked up from his book and shook his head. “Will you cease your pacing? If you have need of some exercise, will you not do it out in the courtyard? Or better yet, do some weapons training.”

“‘Tis dark.”

“Aye, mayhap we’ll be lucky and you’ll have an accident. At least then you’ll cease wearing a hole in the floor.”

Jake stared at the huge fireplace that dominated the hall and clenched his fist by his side. His feet twitched and he put a hand to his neck, rolling it with a sigh.

“Why do you not just go see her?”

“See who?”

Dominic lowered his book and gave him a knowing look.

He shifted. “She is probably resting.”

Dominic continued to stare at him.

“She won’t want to see me anyway.”

Raising his brow at him, Dominic shook his head with a sigh. “I’ll go then. I have not seen her all day and she is likely lonely.”

“Nay,” Jake snapped. “I’ll see to her.” Pushing away from the fireplace, he paused. “I’ll blame you, Brother, should she be resting.”

Dominic chuckled. “Aye, aye.”

Resisting the urge to growl at his brother’s dismissive tone, he stomped away to the courtyard. Peering up, his could just detect a glow emanating from the guest quarters windows. Isabel was awake at least. God’s blood, he could not stop thinking of her. He hungered for her sweet smile and bright azure eyes. He snorted. No doubt she thought him as much a fool as his brother did.

The thought did little to slow his pace. She lured him up the stairs and to her door.

He hesitated at her door, pushing a hand through his hair before twisting the door handle. Isabel was awake and Winnie was with her, sitting on the edge of the bed and chatting away merrily. Jake frowned. They were becoming inseparable. Winnie was a consummate gossip and knew him far too well. He did not relish the thought of her appraising Isabel of all his faults.

Both women greeted him with a smile but Isabel’s was the only one that pulled at his heart as her eyes beamed at him.

“Milord. Can we help ye?”

Jake cleared his throat. “I was just…uh… checking on Isabel. How are you, lass?”

Well. Thank you
.

She did look well. The only bruising that remained was around her neck and her curls disguised the worst of it. Only a tiny scratch marred her forehead. Isabel shifted in her bed and winced, reminding him she was not wholly healed.

They eyed each other for a moment and Jake’s heart raced.

“Isabel is in need of entertainment, milord,” Winnie interjected brightly.

Jake jolted, blinking at the woman. “Oh, aye… aye, you must be tiring of your surroundings, but the physician said you should remain abed for a few days longer.”

Isabel pursed her lips and jutted out her chin. Jake couldn’t help but laugh. A look of indignation flashed across her face as her mouth opened in protest.

“Just a few more days,” he assured her. “What would you like to do?”

She shrugged.

“Well what do you do normally?”

Sew
, she motioned with her hand, 
dance…

“Soon, lass, soon. We’ll have you a fine feast when you’re well enough. Mayhap I could bring you a b…” The words died on his lips as he remembered she couldn’t read.

Flushing, she lowered her eyes and Jake silently cursed. He studied the room for inspiration, his eyes alighting on the chess table tucked into the back of the room.

“Do you play chess?”

Isabel nodded eagerly and Jake let loose a breath. Whether it was a sigh of relief, he did not know. Now he would have to spend the eve sitting across from her, gawking as her brow crinkled in thought. Mayhap he would have been better off taking himself to the donjon and having himself stretched on the rack. Surely that would be less torture?

Dragging the table over, he angled it so that she could reach the pieces with ease from her bed.

“Winnie, you’re in the way, woman,” he scolded lightly as her feet dangled off the bed.

Winnie hauled her buxom form off the bed. “Forgive me, milord. I have duties that need attending to anyway.” She flicked a look between them both before giving Jake a grin. “Good night, milord and lady.”

Ack, he was getting sick of seeing that look on everyone’s face.

Jake spread the pieces and Isabel watched eagerly. Grabbing the rickety chair - hadn’t he meant to replace that? - he set it opposite her. She frowned at the board and put a finger to her lip, nibbling gently on it.

The tingle of arousal surged through him and Jake shifted in the chair. “Do you need help, lass?”

He didn’t know many lasses that could play well without a man helping them. It defeated the point in playing but he would gladly help her win if it meant he could see her smile.

She shook her head with a twist of her lips and made her first move, confidently moving her pawn forward. Jake responded with his pawn, his eyes never leaving hers. Isabel brought forward her knight and Jake considered her lithe fingers eagerly as they clutched the wooden piece.

The soft wisp of her robe and the crinkle of bedding were the only audible sounds as they played. Jake watched the wrinkle of Isabel’s brow as she studied the board and clenched his fists. What was it about this woman that drove him to the edge? He longed to fling aside the board and take her into his arms, barely healed ribs be damned.

Jake followed her moves unthinkingly. He dropped his gaze to the board, only to find it drifting up to Isabel once more. If she saw his scrutiny, she showed no sign of it. Isabel played with serene confidence, each movement seeming as if crafted just to torture him. The clutch of soft hands, the reach of a slender arm, the curve of a breast leaning forward…

He did not want her. He did not want her.
Who was he kidding? But he could not give into temptation. Isabel was too good for him. He’d proved himself a failure as a husband once before, he would not inflict himself upon her. Women were not to be trusted anyway. Nay, he would do well to forget his desire for her.

Isabel’s lips moved and she placed her piece down with a flourish. Jake frowned and stared at her mouth as she spoke again, regarding him with expectation.

Checkmate.

He looked to the board. Ack, but she was right, she’d bested him, the wily lass.

Rubbing his brow, he studied her pieces with bemusement. Isabel eyed him warily until he grinned and her face relaxed.

“You fooled me, lass, here I thought I was going to have an easy game.”

Isabel shrugged nonchalantly but Jake could tell she was pleased with herself.

Another game?

“Would that I could, but ‘tis late. You are meant to be resting and I have duties to attend to on the morrow.”

It was not a lie, but Jake knew he could perform them competently on little sleep. What he could not do was remain in this stifling, candle-lit room with the temptation of Isabel’s perfect rosy lips any longer.

The flicker of disappointment in her expression sparked a sensation in his gut.
It was not for him. She was bored, that was all. He was just a distraction.

Christ,
she
was a distraction.

Gathering up the chess pieces, he tucked them into the table drawer before placing it back in the corner of the room. Aware of her gaze following him about the room, his skin tingled.

Jake stepped over to her bedside and she stared up at him, her eyes wide. He gulped. They begged him to take her in his hold and kiss her until she was breathless.
Don’t be a fool.

“Thank you for a good game, lass. I’ll have to work on mine.” He paused. “I…I could read to you tomorrow…if you’d like.”

Isabel nodded eagerly and Jake expelled a breath.

“Mayhap I could show you a few words. Help you learn some.”

She beamed at him and reached her hand out to him.
I’d like that.

Taking her offered hand, he bent over and brushed his lips across her fingers. His lips burnt and he dropped her hand sharply. Isabel clutched her hand to her chest and stared at him. Was it possible she had felt the same thing?

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he gave her a curt bow. “Good night.”

Good night.

Jake turned quickly, his heart racing, and strode out of the room. With a muttered curse, he tore down the steps and out into the bitter night air. Stopping for a moment, he inhaled deeply.

He was falling for her. Nay… hell’s teeth, he had already fallen for her.

~* * *~

Hurrying from the armoury, Jake cursed. It was not the first morning he had arisen late. He pulled a hand over his face and pushed past a cart as he made his way to the hall. Apparently, Isabel not only haunted his every waking hour but his every sleeping one too.

Damn fool. He should never have volunteered to help her with her reading. It meant dark, candlelight evenings spent in close confines. It meant leaning over her to help her make out a word. It meant reading aloud, aware of her eyes following every word that fell from his lips.

Of all the mornings to sleep in. Jake had spied the physician leave that morning and he wondered what he had to say. He’d forced himself to stroll casually to the armoury and prepare for the day but all he longed to do was dash up to Isabel’s chambers and demand to know how she was. His pace quickened as he neared the hall, anxious to speak with Dominic so he could check on her.

Taking the steps in one stride, he hauled open the heavy door. A bundle of silk and lavender slammed against his chest and he staggered back.

“Isabel!”

She swept a wisp of hair from her face and gave him a coy smile.
My lord.

Jake trailed his eyes over her, starting at the top of her head and following the embroidered lines of her gown to her toes before darting back up to her face. Shaking his head, he bowed.  “What are you doing? Did I hurt you? Forgive me, I did not know…”

She shook her head.
The physician…

“You are well? ‘Tis good news. I am pleased for you, lass.”

He dragged a hand through his hair. God’s blood, she was more exquisite than he’d thought. She was tall for a woman, and incredibly fine boned. Her hips curved gently and he suspected he’d be able to span her waist with both hands. He had held her enough times, he should have realised this, but to see her stood in front of him, on display…Lord, she was astounding.

Isabel kept one hand tucked behind her back and he frowned. What was she hiding? The familiar dart of anger speared through him. Women were not to be trusted.