Page 48 of Wild Hearts

"Not necessarily," Stephen pointed out. "When there is a fortune involved, it is common practice and common sense also to have a premarital contract drawn up, setting out the terms of the agreement exactly. After all, marriage is a partnership, and the benefits and responsibilities of both partners should be legally set down on paper so that your husband would not be able to take advantage of you."

"I see," said Tabrizia slowly.

"Now that I know you seek a husband who will allow you a great deal of freedom, may I add my name to your list of suitors?" he asked lightly.

"You may." She nodded and laughed prettily. "I'll tell you a secret. You are the only man I know of whom I'm not afraid."

His eyes sparkled. "Borderers are a breed apart. They are filled with a swaggering braggadocio. They live at the top of their voices; every last one so hot-spurred, they would rather fight than eat! He watched her carefully to gauge the effect his words had upon her. "They do everything to excess— cursing, drinking, wenching killing. Their women have a pitiful time of it. I know, I watched my mother age with every raid my father made. Oh, sometimes he would ride in, triumphantly flushed with victory and presents, but mostly it was ugly wounds he brought her to tend. Inevitably, he was brought home feet-first one day."

Tabrizia knew he had just described what life with Paris Cockburn would be like. She closed her eyes to banish thoughts of him.

Stephen said, "That is one of the reasons I am going to England. The people have a gentler nature; even the weather and the landscape are gentler."

"Perhaps that accounts for it," she said softly, touching his hand.

He brought her fingers to his lips, then quickly bent and touched his mouth to hers. She returned his kiss, discovering in the process that he had a very nice mouth. She was both surprised and pleased to discover that she was not afraid of his kisses.

Alexandria knew she could stay away from home no longer. Preparations would be under way for Venetia's wedding, and she knew she could not miss being in the thick of things, although she regretted that Tabrizia would not be attending.

"I want to buy Venetia a really lovely wedding present. We'll go shopping today, and you can take it back with you when you go home tomorrow," decided Tabrizia.

She purchased a porcelain dinner service for twenty-four, decorated with peacocks and edged in gold. The shop arranged to deliver it within the hour, because it was far too heavy for the girls to carry.

As they were returning to the town house in the late afternoon, there was a-terrible commotion almost on their doorstep. A young man was desperately trying to control his horse, which was so frenzied, it reared time after time threatening to smash its flailing hooves down upon the head of its owner. In a flash, Alexandria had darted forward to see what the trouble was. Just as she reached it, the horse went down into a collapse, and she could clearly see that it was choking to death. The leather bridle strap that held the mouth bit had broken, and the bit had slipped down the horse's throat. Without hesitation, Alexandria grasped its lower jaw firmly and slid her fingers all the way down the horse's throat to retrieve the swallowed bit. It was like a miracle; once the horse could breathe again, it staggered to its feet and stood trembling and subdued.

Tabrizia had rushed forward, crying, "Alexandria, be careful!"

The young man who owned the horse stood in amazement as he watched the young girl go into action. "My God, if that wasn't the bravest thing I ever saw anyone do! You saved her life. How can I ever thank you?"

Alexandria looked up at the slim young man with, the dark curls and intense gray eyes, saw his admiration for her bravery written there, and her heart skipped and danced in her breast.

Tabrizia spoke. "Oh, do take your horse into the stable at the back of the house and let her have a drink and a rest."

"Thank you, madam." He bowed formally. "Are you Mrs. Abrahams by any chance?"

"Yes, I am. Did you wish to see me, sir?"

"I do have a private matter I would like to discuss with you, if you could spare me a few moments, ma'am." He flushed deeply.

"First, see to your horse, then come into the house. You can take tea with us." Tabrizia smiled her encouragement because he seemed embarrassed. The girls ran up the steps and entered the town house.

"Tabrizia, don't you think he's the handsomest man you've ever seen?" asked Alexandria breathlessly.

"I could see that you thought so. Go up and put on something really pretty, and I'll order afternoon tea for us!'

When the young man knocked on the door, Tabrizia took him into the room that she and Stephen used to go over Abrahams's papers. Is your animal all right now?"

"Yes, thank you, ma'am. I'm extremely sorry to bother you, ma'am, especially under the circumstances" — he blushed—"but it is because of your husband's death that I had to have a word with you in private."

He seemed so ill at ease that Tabrizia did all she could to make him feel comfortable. "It is no bother, I assure you, if there is something I can help you with."

He hesitated for a few moments, then took his courage in his hands and plunged in. "I foolishly gave Mr. Abrahams the deed on one of our properties when I needed money, and the thing is that my father knows nothing of the matter. When I heard that Mr. Abrahams had died, I realized that the note could be easily called in, and my father would get to know of it." He paused for breath, then continued. "So I would like to make an arrangement with you, madam. I will pay off the debt as quickly as I can on the understanding that my father does not learn of the matter."

Tabrizia said, "I have most of Mr. Abrahams's papers here. Let me see if I can find yours. What is your name?"

"Adam Gordon, ma'am."

Tabrizia was startled. "Is your father Lord John Gordon?"

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