Page 23 of Wild Hearts

"I have another word for her." Shannon laughed.

"She has offered to sketch my portrait tomorrow."

"Oh, not tomorrow. We're off to the fair at Kelso. You'll love it. It's really where the gypsies have their big horse sale every year, no questions asked where they get them from, but there's all sorts of booths set up for telling fortunes and for games of chance," said Alexandria "I was going to ask Paris if we could take you, but he won't be pleased when he finds out you have been up to see Anne."

"That gives me a great deal of satisfaction. I am not here to please Paris," said Tabby with spirit.

Shannon and Alexandria exchanged glances. "She's learning!" They laughed.

"Hush, here he comes," whispered Damascus.

When he had returned to the castle, Paris had one of his tenants awaiting his return. The crofter reported young sheep missing and asked Paris to hunt down the wolves that were taking them. Paris didn't think wolves would strike until winter and thought perhaps it was a wild cat. He decided to get his brothers and hunt it down at first light.

The girls decided that it was time to teach Tabby a few things about men and the art of flirtation before taking her to the fair with them. "You shouldn't need to spend any money at all. We'll be sure to meet all the young men we know and give them the pleasure of spending their money on us," claimed Damascus, embroidering a pair of dress sleeves to wear to the fair.

"If you take a fancy to anything, from earrings to marzipan, you just put your head to one bide and say, 'I adore marzipan,' and they -buy it for you. If you want another, you say sweetly, 'Would it be too greedy of me if I had two?' and they buy half a dozen," said Venetia, who was busy with the curling iron.

Tabby watched her intently, so she could fashion her hair in the saucy, upswept style. They sat in front of the fire, passing wine around and really enjoying themselves. Their conversation grew louder and more animated, and the giggling began as their instructions to Tabby became more outrageous.

"We'll take turns, with each of us giving her a tip about the art of flirtation, and I'll go first," ruled Damascus. Very, daintily, she raised her wineglass and twirled around until her skirts billowed up and exposed her ankles. "Always wear undergarments that rustle deliciously when you move about. They become all the more fascinating because they can't be seen. I strongly believe the nuance or suggestion is most provocative."

Alexandria took the decanter and filled her sister's glass for her. She looked pretty by firelight. It camouflaged the freckles well. She said, "Well, here's a tip I just got from watching Damascus. She always wears high-heeled shoes and pretty hose, and when she descends a staircase, she lifts her skirts much higher than necessary and shows off her ankles shamelessly."

Venetia stuck the curling iron back into the fire and stretched her hands over her head. "Whenever you are with a man, always glance back at him over your shoulder. It says 'come hither' without you having to say a word."

When it was Shannon's turn, she said outrageously, "Always make sure your hair is a little tussled— it suggests 'bed' to a man."

Damascus advised, "Perfume is another subtle enticer. Put it on all your pulse spots, behind your knees, between your breasts; then, when you move, it wafts warmly and seductively around both of you."

Alexandria saw that it was once again her turn, so she quickly said, "Come on, Shannon, give her some advice; you are more worldly than the rest of us put together."

"Well, I'll tell you my foolproof method for making a man kiss you. First you must stand extra close to him while he is talking to you and look up at him. A normal distance won't do it; you have to be almost touching. At that point, he will put his hands on your shoulders or your waist. As soon as he touches you, say something intimate, and he will take you in his arms and kiss you It works every time. He won't be able to help himself."

"I don't believe that." Tabby laughed, draining her wine. She was not used to wine, but it gave her such a warm, giggly sensation, she thought she could get used to it very, very easily. Alt her cares seemed to have melted away like magic, dissolved by the laughter and the secrets the girls shared with her.

"I'll prove it to you," said Shannon. "Paris just went into the next room. Go and try it out. If it works on him, it will work on anyone. Besides, I need you to divert him so I can get out of here tonight."

Tabby didn't want to do as Shannon suggested. How could she do what they asked? Men were just puppets to these girls, a mere amusement, but Tabby knew Paris was no puppet. He was a dangerous male animal. They had no idea what a devastating effect his mere presence had on her. Just to look at him made her pulses quicken, and when he came close, her breasts-rose and fell uncontrollably as her heart hammered wildly. She protested, but the girls were adamant, so they gave her more wine. As she drained the glass, she felt her blood warmly running along her veins, and it gave her a reckless, glowing courage. She sought him out. "Paris," she called softly.

"Yes?" he replied coming toward her. When he stopped in front of her, she took a step closer and looked up at him, her tiny frame dwarfed by his great height. "Will you be going to the fair tomorrow?"

He looked down. She was so close, he took hold of her arms.

Think! she told herself fiercely. Say something intimate. She improvised breathlessly, "When I undress tonight, I'll have bruises from your fingers, milord."

Immediately, his mouth came crushing down upon her; demanding all her sweetness. She was stunned by the passion she had aroused in him. His burning mouth left her lips and traveled down her throat, searing a path of flame to the high curve of her breast that swelled above her gown. He buried his fingers into the silken mass of her hair and once more lifted her mouth to his. She had been totally unprepared for the intense reaction she had ignited. Fear sprang to her eyes, and as he took his mouth from hers; a shuddering sob escaped her lips. She fled back to the other girls, wide -eyed.

"Did it work?" Damascus demanded.

"Of course he kissed her. Can't you see the sheer panic in her face?". Venetia laughed.

"It worked like a magic charm," she admitted, not knowing Paris had followed her and stopped in the doorway. She turned and saw him, and saw the rage in his eyes.

He exploded, "Do you realize you were acting like a little whore, just now?" And he looked at each of the girls in turn. "You are all flown with wine; get to bed!" he thundered. "You stay!" he commanded, bestowing such a fierce look upon Tabby, her feet were rooted to the floor. The girls scattered like leaves in a storm, leaving her to face the rogue. When they were alone, his expression changed. A teasing light came into his eyes as he gazed down at her. "So, wine makes you playful. I will have to remember that it makes you implore me for kisses."

She gasped her outrage. "I did no such thing."

He allowed his glance to drop to her breasts, which rose and fell so temptingly with her agitation. She blushed hotly and was about to curse him vilely, when he said lightly, "Tut, tut; don't let those words slip out unless you want your arse tanned."

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