Page 88 of Wild Hearts

"Well, yes. That is, I know you will be angry."

He had stopped undressing, He searched her face and said, "Does it not occur to you that you are deliberately manipulating me? 'Tis a womanish trick I particularly despise."

"Manipulating?" she said hesitantly.

"Bestow your favors on me until I'm sated, then feed me the nasty medicine while I am in a mellow mood." His eyes clouded, then veiled over.

She panicked as she saw him withdraw from her

"Who?" he demanded.

She hesitated, not wanting to tell him this way. He was angry now; he would go berserk when she gave him the name!

"I won't ask again," he threatened.

"Gordon. Adam Gordon," she gabbled.

Not by the flicker of an eye did he indicate that he had heard her, but she knew he had. After a full two minutes, he turned and left the cabin, not even banging the door after him. She slept alone.

The next day, delicious offerings arrived from the galley at exactly the usual times, but they were offerings for one. In the late afternoon, she gathered her courage and ventured forth on deck. After a few moments, Ian approached her. "His lordship says the seas are a wee bit rough and suggests ye go below, ma'am."

She knew a storm was brewing, but it had nothing to do with the weather. "Ian, what is our next port?" she inquired.

He looked surprised. "We are bound for Scotland, ma'am. We turned last night."

She went below and stayed below. Two could play this game! She realized he was hurt that she had not shared her knowledge with him the moment she had pried it from Alexandria, but she was torn by family loyalties. Paris thought her first loyalty was to him. Now she was being punished, so that next time she would come to heel. Well, she'd be damned if she would. If he withdrew one step, she'd withdraw three! Besides, she had her baby to occupy her thoughts and keep her from being lonely. After a two-day absence, he approached her. She kept him at a cool, polite distance. He accepted this for the time being, silently cursing himself.

She had never looked more radiant. She bloomed with a soft loveliness that the sea voyage and her pregnancy enhanced. Ian took her ashore before any of the cargo was unloaded, and she was flooded with questions from Alexandria.

"It was heavenly while it lasted." Tabrizia sighed.

"What does that mean?" asked Alexandria warily.

"It means that it was paradise until your name came up. Darling, he knows. Be prepared for the worst."

"What did he say?" pleaded Alexandria.

"Nothing. We've hardly spoken to each other since."

"Oh, God," Alexandria groaned.

Tabrizia was so glad that Mrs. Hall was there awaiting her. It was a relief to know that comforting Mrs. Hall didn't want anything from her.

"Why don't ye pop into bed for a wee rest, and I'll bring ye a tray so ye won't even have to go down for dinner."

"Oh," she said, tears springing to her eyes, "that sounds wonderful. I'll rest for a while, but I must go down to dinner to bolster Alexandria's courage."

Mrs. Hall lifted her dress off and noticed her rounded belly and thickened waist. "Are yer breasts tender, my lamb?"

"Very," she admitted. "They seem larger, but it may be my imagination."

"All the classical signs. Are ye ravenous?"

"I could devour an oxen!" Tabrizia laughed.

"What's the trouble between you two?"

Tabrizia sighed. "Alexandria, I suppose. Also our own stubbornness."

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