Borderland Betrayal by Samantha Holt Page A

And certainly not a woman such as myself.”
    Lucy made a sound of disapproval. “Nonsense. You are a fine beauty. Would that I had a figure like yours…”
    “My lady, you are preg—”
    “And you have far more wit than most. Some men are able to see past a one’s circumstances to the value within.”
    “My lady, what are you saying?”
    “James is a clever man, if a little bound by chivalry at times. He will come to realise what is right in front of him before long.”
    “I really have no wish—”
    “Then you had better tell him that.” Lucy sank into the shadows and Ellise gasped as James approached. She glanced back around but Lucy was gone and James was upon her.
    Chausses low around his hips, her mouth grew arid as he wiped his face with his shirt and pulled it on. The movement gave her an instant to appreciate the lines of his stomach and the sprinkling of golden hair leading into the waistband of his chausses. His shirt stuck to him and he left the collar wide open. Ellise leaned against the stone for support.
    “Is all well, Captain?” she forced herself to ask brightly.
    “Aye, well enough. How goes it, Ellise?”
    “Well, sir.”
    His scowl deepened at her formality. The words stuck on her tongue but she needed the distance they provided.
    “Has aught happened to upset you?” he asked.
    “Nay, why would you say that?”
    His green gaze pierced her. Sometimes it seemed as if he saw all the way into her soul. Did he know of her connection to Edmund? The Earl certainly made no declaration of it. He’d claimed Arias as his and she trusted he wouldn’t want any person discovering their shared past. For that, she was grateful. She did not need anyone getting in the way of her plans, but it still galled her to think of him playing at being her son’s father.
    “You seemed… shaken yesterday. I saw you leaving the chapel shortly after the Earl’s arrival. I do believe he was praying. Did you encounter him?”
    She swallowed. Should she lie? “I… I did. But we did not converse. I left him to his prayers. Why do you ask, James? Have… have you some concerns about him?”
    He appeared to consider her words for a moment. “Aye. The Earl is known for his ruthlessness. If he has upset you in some way, you must tell me.”
    Ellise shook her head and offered him a small smile. “I am capable of looking after myself. But, nay, he has not upset me.”
    “Good. For if he had…”
    A placating hand to his arm, the heat of his skin through the linen seared her palm and stole her breath. Somehow she managed to find her voice. “Do not fear. I am not easily upset.”
    His lips twisted into a wry smile. “Aye. You would do well to allow a man to do his duty sometimes, Ellise. ‘Tis most frustrating when you do not accept aid.” He glanced at her hand. “Is it healing?”
    She blinked and stared at her hand. She’d forgotten all about the slowly mending cut. No doubt it would leave a jagged scar but it did not bother her. Edmund’s visit and James’ presence seemed to steal all thought from her. It was exhausting being so caught up in two men’s lives. Not that she should be so fascinated with James.
    “Aye, ‘tis healing well.”
    “Good,” he said again.
    Ellise plucked at the linen bandage, twisting a loose strand with her finger. Had she really once made love to this magnificent man? She reached out, unthinkingly, and paused, her hand not far from his collar bone where a bruise marred it.
    “Do you… do you have need of some yarrow root?”
    “Nay.”
    She clenched her hand at her side. “Good.”
    “Well, I—”
    “I must go and, uh…” She lifted her basket of herbs.
    “Aye, indeed. Well, good day to you, Ellise.” He dipped his head formally.
    “Good day,” she murmured.
    James hesitated and she sensed he wanted to say something but mayhap he changed his mind as he offered her another awkward nod before spinning on his heel toward the armoury.
    Watching his powerful strides