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at her father, bewildered. “Contract?”
    “So you would forget my mother’s wishes? And throw away the chance of an alliance between our two lands?” Dominic asked.
    Her mother curled her hands around her husband’s arms. “Come, dear, let’s at least sleep on this. Lucy and Dominic have spent little time with one another. I think it not a bad thing for them to pass some time together.”
    “Together?” her father spluttered. “You wish to leave our daughter with him ?”
    Lucy barely resisted the urge to stamp her foot. “Do I not get a say in this? What is this talk of contracts and marriage? ‘Twas a kiss, Father, naught more. I should never have done it and I will pray heartily at church on the morrow to be forgiven for my ill behaviour, but it takes more than a kiss to make a marriage. Why do you talk as if you have already discussed the idea of joining our lands through marriage?”
    His face reddened and he cast his eyes down. “Forgive me, Lucy, I had not intended for you to find out this way.”
    “Find out what?”
    He sighed. “Many years ago we signed a contract for your betrothal to Lord Dominic.”
    “My b-betrothal?”
    “Aye. I hoped to see if there was a chance of fulfilling it by bringing you here.”
    Lucy looked to Dominic, her face heating. “Did you know of this?”
    Dominic nodded slowly. “Aye.”
    She stared at the two men, fisting her hands by her side until her knuckles hurt. Whirling back to her father, she fixed her father with a glare. “I expected this of him ,” She flung her arm towards Dominic, “but not of you, Father.”
    Tears of humiliation stung her eyes and she spun on her heel, pushing past Jake and dashing down the stairs, out into the bitter night. She heard someone shout her name but she kept running until she reached the stone of the curtain wall. Pressing herself against the cold rock, she gathered her breath. How could they? Both of them plotting her future without her! Her stomach churned just thinking about it.
    Why had she never heard of this contract before? Sweet Mary, to think her future may have been planned out for her for years, even as she nurtured her hate of the arrogant lord.
    And now he wanted to marry her? What sort of twisted game was he playing? Mayhap it was for her dowry…but surely he was rich enough? Or for her father’s allegiance? Nay, Thornewall was powerful enough on its own. She tipped her head back and watched as her breath clouded across the stars. Of all the women he could choose, why would he possibly want her?
    ~* * *~
    Dominic dashed forward, calling her name but Jake stepped forward as Lucy’s father released a growl.
    “Let her be. You have apologies to make first.” Jake jerked his head towards Montgomery.
    Darting a look at Montgomery, he sighed and stepped back. “Aye, of course.”
    Moving around his brother, he fixed Montgomery with a sincere expression. The man glowered at him, his jaw clenched, and Dominic dragged a hand through his hair. Damn, he’d be lucky if he was ever allowed near his daughter again.
    But he had to see her. He needed her.
    He had not really intended to declare any intention of marrying Lucy - not yet at least. Aye, she was beautiful - breathtakingly beautiful - and she was quick-witted and intelligent, but he wanted to get to know her first. However, when Montgomery had threatened to take her, everything changed and wild desperation had gripped him. He could not let him take her away.
    “Montgomery, I need to see Lucy.”
    Montgomery’s nostrils flared and he opened his mouth to speak but Lady Eleanor stepped gracefully forward. “Lord Dominic, I know my daughter and she will not take kindly to you while she is still angry. Give her time to gather herself, and then you may speak with her.”
    “Eleanor…” Montgomery growled.
    Ignoring her husband, she continued, “I will speak with her this night and help her understand the nature of this betrothal. I will try to persuade her not