Page Princess: BORDERLAND BEAUTY by Samantha Holt

Title: BORDERLAND BEAUTY

Series: The Borderland Legacy #2

Author: Samantha Holt

Publish Date: 03.22.13

Publisher: Jupiter Gardens Press

Category /Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content and violence

Grammar/editing: B – a few small errors

Received from: Samantha Holt (in exchange for an honest review)

Tour by: My Familys Heart Book Reviews

Goodreads: Borderland Beauty

Date completed: 01.14.14

Description from the publisher:

Lord Dominic is in need of a wife. With the reivers, the wild and dangerous criminals that haunt the borderlands, breathing down his neck and his brother now married, he needs a strong woman by his side. So when he finds out about an old marriage contract between him and his neighbour’s daughter, he vows to give the mysterious woman a chance. Upon meeting the beautiful, feisty maiden, he vows to make her his wife.

Lucy Montgomery wants nothing to do with the arrogant lord. She doesn’t understand his interest in her. Surely a man like Dominic could never fall for a woman like her? Hurt by the past, she refuses to believe that she is anything more than a game to him. If only she didn’t find him quite so charming.

Can Dominic persuade Lucy that she is more than just another woman to him? And with the reivers growing bolder, are there worse dangers than Lucy saying ‘Nay’?

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Holding out his hand, his dipped his head and eyed her from under his brow. “Will you dance with me, Lucy?”

She hesitated, glancing around as the couples took their positions. “I know not this dance.” In truth, she knew few dances, having avoided them for most of her life.

“I will teach you.”

Dominic snatched her hand and led her to the centre of the floor. Her heart slammed into her chest at the touch of his fingers. Why did his touch always incite such a reaction? Glancing around, she realised she could hardly tear herself away from him. Many were watching them. Especially the women.

“Stand there,” he ordered as he stepped back.

Her eyes darted from Dominic to the other dancers who moved confidently around them. He motioned for her to step forward and she did so, bringing herself closer to him. The dancers circled one another and Lucy mimicked them. His sapphire eyes remained on her, bright and alert and her skin tingled under his scrutiny. Why watch her so closely?

“Now step back,” he murmured.

She did as he bid, stepping back a little later than the other dancers. Her cheeks filled with heat but she could not tell it if was because of his examination of her or her lack of dancing ability. His eyes continued to follow her avidly and she dropped her gaze. Nay, it was Dominic who was the cause of her blush.

The dancers lined up and Lucy stumbled back, her eyes narrowing as Dominic’s crinkled in amusement. A lord and lady wove between them, working their way up the line. The lady’s hand brushed across Dominic’s chest as she passed, a flirtatious smile on her lips, and Lucy clenched her teeth together. He flicked a disinterested look at the woman before securing his gaze back onto hers.

Lucy and Dominic did the same, weaving through the other dancers until they reached the end of the line. Keeping her spine stiff, she resisted the urge to peek at him as she did so, but as they faced each other one more, his blue eyes caught hers and she could do little else but stare back. Lord, she was getting lost in those penetrating eyes.

Stepping forward hastily, her eyes widened as his hands came about her waist. He lifted her easily and her heart came into her throat. The ladies around her squealed in delight as they too were lifted and then placed down, but surprise had struck her dumb.

“Move back,” he commanded quietly, his eyes darkening.

She faltered as she retreated, her pulse beating erratically. His look of desire confused her and she pulled her chin up. She would not be toyed with like this. It was time to wrest back some control.

They repeated the first movements and Lucy stepped confidently now. “I hear tell that you are searching for a wife,” she stated archly.

Dominic barely blinked. “Aye, ‘tis true. Why? Are you interested?”

“Hardly.” She released an unsteady laugh. “I thought you were to be married to Lady Isabel of…of Greycroft.”

“I was.” He circled her, appraising her openly as he did so.

She followed him with her gaze, hoping he could not see through her bold look. “But it seems she married your brother.”

“That she did.”

“Are you not angry? Did she not wound your ego?”

He shook his head with a shrug. “Nay. Jake loves his wife very much, why would I begrudge him that?”

“You did not love her?”

“I love Isabel as a sister. She is a fine woman but she is better suited to my brother. I do not regret that she is not my wife.”

“She probably does not regret it either,” she said with the raise of an eyebrow.

They wove their way in and out of the line and they waited as the other dancers took their place.

“Isabel did not suit me, but a woman like you…you would suit me very much.”

“Ha, you think me foolish enough to fall for such talk? I have heard much of your reputation, Dominic of Thornewall. You would promise marriage just for the chance of a tumble. I would not give up my virtue to such a man.”

His hands came upon her waist. “That sounds like a challenge,” he said before lifting her effortlessly.

He placed her down and Lucy gaped at him, speechless. The people around them clapped as the music ceased but Lucy paid little attention. Raw desire glinted in his expression and her stomach twisted. Surely that look was not for her? He was teasing her, playing with her, luring her in so he could strike her down.

She curled her fists and clamped her mouth shut as she swivelled on her heel. She would not let him make a fool of her again.

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This is a sequel to BORDERLAND BRIDE. Though this would stand on its own, I recommend reading both and in order. This review will have spoilers for the first book.

After arranging the marriage of his older brother, Jake, to Isabel, Dominic embraces the idea of finding his own wife for the sake of his lands and to produce an heir. He plans feasts and activities for the Christmas season. One of the firsts to arrive in Thornewall is the Montgomery family and Dominic finds out there is a marriage contract signed by his parents to have him wed Lucy. Lucy was an ugly duckling. She was hurt by comments made by Dominic when he was a younger man and she knows of his rakish reputation, making it hard for her to trust the charming lord. Dominic is determined to show her that he is not pursuing her for sport. Can he turn her 'nay' to a 'yea?'

After reading Borderland Bride, I knew I wanted to read Dominic's HEA; I knew he deserved one. Feisty Lucy does not make anything easy for him, except for falling in love with her. She is smart, passionate, and beautiful, but she is also shy, a little socially awkward, and nursing the hurts of her past. Dominic's patience and impatience both work on her resistance, breaking her down until they can both be happy. I absolutely loved this story and will continue reading all from Ms. Holt that I can grab up.

The Borderland Legacy series: