Page 19 of Wild Hearts

"Proposed what?" teased Paris.

Shannon got a pair of riding gloves, and Venetia was delighted with a hand-painted fan. He gave presents to the twins, who exchanged with each other before they even unwrapped them, as soon as Paris turned his back. He beckoned Tabby away from the others and irresistibly she approached him. The color rose high in her cheeks as she became aware of his bold eyes upon her breasts, then he slowly lifted his gaze to her mouth, where it fastened hungrily. As he handed her the tiny package, his hand brushed hers, and the shock of it ran up her arm. Though she ought to have hated him for having her at his mercy, he was right; she did respond to him. She couldn't help herself! To cover her confusion she quickly unwrapped the pretty package. It was a small ornamental mirror on a chain to fasten at her waist. Thoughtlessly, she said the first thing that popped into her mind, "Did you buy these or steal them?"

"Thankless little bitch! Too bad your scruples won't allow you to enjoy ill-gotten gains. I had a bathtub and full-length mirror for you, but now I suppose I'll have to make use of them in my chamber." He hid his smirk and took the usual large box of chocolates up to the White Tower.

"Oh, Mrs Hall, I've just done it again!" she bemoaned.

"Put his lordship's back up?"

"I'm afraid so. He was in such a mellow mood, I should have pleaded my case to return me to Edinburgh. I feel guilty because I know clearly where my duty lies."

"Ye should take lessons from these lassies in how to handle men. They sweet-talk and flutter their lashes, and the men eat out of their hands." Personally, Mrs. Hall thought her charge prettier by far than the other girls.

"Oh, I know. I should look at him with big, sad eyes, plead and beg, wring his heart with pity at this poor maiden in distress. Tomorrow I'll do it! But I must learn to control my tongue."

Mrs. Hall said, "I've decided I like it here. Everyone's so jolly, and the kitchens are busy day and night. The food is the very best and always plenty, even for the servants. In fact, I've only met one woman I don't like. A Mrs. Sinclair. You'll know her when you see her—she's very thin with coal black hair and a mouth like a rat trap." Mrs. Hall helped her to undress and hung up her clothes. She took the two silver-backed brushes and began to brush out Tabby's long, thick auburn tresses. She continued, "This Mrs.Sinclair was very nosy, asking questions about you. She looks after some invalid or something. Anyway, she didna get a thing out of me." Mrs. Hall brushed Tabby's hair until it crackled with a life of its own. The candlelight gave it a burnished glow.

"You've been very kind to me, Mrs. Hall. I like being mothered."

"Then into bed wi' ye now I've finished your hair. You have to be wearing your prettiest face tomorrow if you are to plead wi' his lordship."

Paris had decided to make use of the bathtub before he had it carried to Tabby's chamber tomorrow. It was quite an improvement on the- bathhouse attached to the men's quarters. A man could get used to bathing before the fire, he decided as he stepped from the tub. He caught sight of himself in the full-length mirror and paused to examine his reflection. He was heavily muscled about the shoulders and chest. He flexed an enormous bicep and smiled at the tattoo that stood out upon it. What sailor had not succumbed to the lure of the tattoo parlors that lined the docks of every foreign port? He ran his fingers over it. A Scotch thistle in full bloom. A thick mass of red curls covered his chest and ran down his belly to his groin. Still wet from the bath, the hair looked almost black. He turned his back to the mirror and looked over his shoulder to observe himself from behind. The muscles of his broad back tapered down to a narrow waist and flanks. He laughed at the whiteness of his buttocks in contrast to the rest of his body.

He faced the mirror and stood, hands on hips, with his legs apart. The emerald dangled rakishly from his ear, giving him the look of a pirate.

His legs were thick columns of muscle, one marred by a livid scar that ran from groin to knee; a souvenir from a Gordon sword. Perhaps tomorrow night Tabby would do as he was now doing. His imagination was vivid as he saw her step from the tub, shake out her lovely mane of hair and catch a glimpse of her naked beauty in the full-length mirror. She would come timidly forward, then more boldly appraise her body in the glass.

His shaft hardened as his thoughts ran on, until it stood high and erect, reaching toward his navel. Mirrors were mysterious things, with an almost magical quality. If his naked image should suddenly reappear as she was standing before it, what would her reaction be? He laughed at his absurd thoughts and took one last look at himself. God, his naked body was very likely enough to frighten a young girl to death.

CHAPTER 5

Tabby was late down to breakfast the next morning. When she finally sat down, the girls rushed her through the meal. No-nonsense Shannon said, "Paris has made plans to take you with him today, and he has an iron-clad rule never to be kept waiting. Especially by a female."

"Where is he taking me?" asked Tabby, half-afraid.

They completely ignored her question.

Damascus, ever conscious of appearances, said, "If she's riding out with Paris, she will need a decent habit. He won't want to be shamed by her appearance."

"Well, much as I hate to admit it, Shannon's is the only one that will fit in the bustline," decided Venetia, who seemed to get slimmer each day.

Shannon took an oatcake out of Tabby's hand and put it back on the platter. "Come on, then. I will let you have my dark green velvet, but I want it back, it's not to keep."

"Just one moment," said Tabby angrily. "Everyone is-speaking as if I were not present and had no say in the matter whatsoever. I haven't, even been consulted about whether I'll even go!"

"Don't talk rubbish." Alexandria grinned at her.

Alexandria was right, of course. Her heart was already racing at the thought of going with Paris. At last, here was her opportunity to plead her case and beg him to let her go back to Edinburgh. The problem was that she was beginning to be torn in two directions, part of her knowing she must go, but another part secretly longing to stay. Before she could protest further, she was propelled to Shannon's chamber, and they had taken off her dress. Standing in drawers and petticoat, she felt almost shy, but the girls were so busy, they didn't notice. Venetia had slipped something about her waist and was pulling the strings so tight, it took her breath away and dug into her rib cage just beneath her breasts. "Why do I have to wear this thing?" she protested.

Damascus explained, "It's to make your waist much smaller than it is in reality."

"Why?" asked Tabby.

"So that your breasts will be higher and fuller," she answered patiently.

Shannon was putting the green velvet over her head. "When Paris helps you on and off your horse, his hands will easily span your waist."

"But I want to show him how well I can mount on my own!" Tabby declared. The girls looked horrified.

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