Borderland Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

she mouthed more firmly.
    He studied her determined expression and then shrugged with what she supposed was a laugh.
    You are a determined lassie, are you not? My brother shall be along shortly to check up on you. I will bid you good day and offer my prayers for your quick recovery.
    Isabel smiled her thanks, her defensiveness overcome by his charming countenance. With another bow, he left. Isabel puzzled over the man. If Jake was his brother then how was it that Dominic was the lord? She was certain Jake was at least five summers older than Dominic, likely nearing thirty years of age. Were they half-brothers mayhap? Was there any animosity between them? Isabel had witnessed families torn apart by things far less significant than the ownership of land.
    His open manner had also surprised her; Dominic was entirely unlike any lord she had ever met. They were normally arrogant, boorish creatures and would not deign to waste their time seeing to a woman. Both of these men were an enigma to her. Both attentive and yet entirely unlike one another. Were all men in Northumbria like this? Isabel concluded she had obviously grown up in the wrong part of England and she envied the Northumbrian women. With men like this around, no woman could possibly complain of being unhappy.
    Winnie clunked the bowl down on the chest, the vibration of it drawing her from her thoughts.
    Oh, sweet Mary, Dominic had said Jake would be along shortly and she was in no fit state to be seen!
    Motioning frantically to Winnie, she tugged at her hair and Winnie gave her a knowing smile, drawing a comb and some ribbons from her apron.
    Isabel would have laughed if she could. Thank God for Winnie. This woman was fast becoming her favourite person.
    ~* * *~
    Jake awoke late the following morning, having slept poorly that night. Sleeping in the guard’s quarters, he had not even heard the men readying themselves for the morning. Quickly clambering off his pallet, he hastily went through his morning ablutions and dressed, throwing on his rumpled tunic from the day before. His clothes were still in the chest in the guest quarters and he was reluctant to disturb Isabel to retrieve them. He would have Winnie fetch them later on in the day.
    Making his way across the courtyard, he nodded absently to those that greeted him. The morning meal remained laid out in the Great Hall but most of the household had departed, moving on to their tasks for that day. Dominic was not in the keep but that did not surprise him. His brother had little time to waste waiting for Jake to arise.
    James stood by the wooden stairs that led from the minstrel’s gallery, instructing a small group of men-at-arms. He spotted Jake and dipped his head in greeting. “My lord.”
    Jake grabbed a chunk of bread from the linen covered table and took a quick bite, his appetite still spoiled by yesterday’s occurrences.
    “Have you any information on the whereabouts of the rest of the outlaws?”
    “Aye, milord. Our outlaw friend was most helpful. They hail from Brampton. Lord Dominic has already dispatched a missive informing the Lord of Brampton of their crimes and I shall be leaving shortly to ensure they are captured.”
    “Aye, my thanks, James. Where is my brother this morn?”
    “I believe he went to check on the Lady Isabel, milord.”
     Sensations stirred in Jake’s gut and his jaw clenched. What did Dominic want with Isabel? Dominic knew he had intended to go visit with her first thing.
    Without bidding James farewell, he stomped back across the hall, throwing down the bread. He nearly missed the look of amusement James directed at him as he raced through the entrance door and across the dusty courtyard, pushing his way past the servants that were scurrying back and forth with food and supplies.
    Jake made quick work of the spiral staircase and shoved open the door unceremoniously. Winnie and Isabel both darted their heads up, their eyes wide, and he picked at his tunic as his heart