Page 46 of Wild Hearts

"By God, Mrs. McLaren, I could kiss ye." He laughed.

The woman backed away from him, more alarmed-than she had been when Tabrizia pushed her way in.

Magnus dismissed his men. "It's all right, lads, ye'd better go and get yourselves cleaned up, and I'll do the same. Remember, Mrs. McLaren, we were here all night, if the question arises."

She bobbed a curtsy. "As ye wish, Yer Grace."

Forty minutes later, Magnus, resplendent in blue brocade, trimmed with marten, all traces of blood-and grime removed, opened the bedchamber door and startled Tabrizia awake as he boomed out, "There's the minx. Ye have the homing instincts of a little pigeon." His voice held as much affection as if the father and daughter were on the tenderest of terms with each other. Tabrizia sat up in the big bed and carefully pulled the quilts about her nakedness. They subjected each other to a close scrutiny, before they exchanged further words.

Then Magnus said, "By God, but you're pretty. The very picture of yer mother. Get comfortable, for I've a lot to say to ye. But first, by damn, this running about the countryside like a hoyden will cease immediately. You've been leading us a merry dance," and us panting after you, so have done,. lass!"

She cleared her throat. "At seventeen years of age, I've just discovered I am a Cockburn, and must admit it has some advantages. However, like all the Cockburns, you take the greatest pleasure in issuing your orders every time you speak. Now, if we are to have any sort of relationship without constantly being at each other's throats, you'd better stop your demands and listen to a few of mine," she told him firmly, sounding much more confident than she felt.. She knew she must gain some sort of control from the very beginning, or she would never be able to call her life her own.

Magnus solemnly held up his hand. "No more orders, lassie, I swear it to ye."

"Good. From now on I want a say in everything that affects my life. I don't want other people making my decisions for me." Magnus waved his hand. "Done, done! Say no more. Pack yer things and we'll be off home where you belong, until we find a decent husband for you."

Tabrizia rolled her eyes to the ceiling and shouted, "God give me patience! You've just sworn you'd give me no more orders and in the very next breath you're at it again. In the first place, I have no clothes to pack. I don't have a stitch to my back. I am-naked. As well as clothes, I wish to have a pistol of my own. I swore a vow never to go undefended again, and I want the gun today." Her eyes, clouded. "I already have a husband, although not a decent one, I'm sorry to say."

He patted her knee gently. "Ye've been a widow for hours, lass. A rich widow, I might add, and I've the legal will to prove it."

Her hand flew to her throat. "Maxwell Abrahams is dead? My God, how?"

"House burned to the ground." Magnus waved his arm in dismissal.

"No... oh, no! Dear God, what have I done?" She thought she would faint but hung on to consciousness desperately. "I set fire to the house and killed him," she whispered, horrified.

Magnus frowned. He could see she was devastated at the thought of what she had done. He could clearly see that her nature could not bear up under the weight of the deed she thought she had committed. "My oath that you had nothing to do with Abrahams's death. He died by my hand, but I swear to you it was in self-defense. He threw a knife at my back that only missed my heart because of the protective mail I wore."

Tabrizia shuddered and closed her eyes.

"You're a sensible lass and must realize you're well rid of that bit of trash. How fortunate that ye were visiting yer father when the tragic fire struck," he emphasized.

She remembered how much she had wanted Abrahams dead a few hours back, and how, if she had had a weapon, she would have done the deed herself. She nodded. "I am well rid of him, and I owe you a debt of gratitude. But just as I am rid of one husband, you would wed me to another. I cannot stomach such a thing."

"Listen to me carefully. I am going to get you legitimized, so you will get that portion of my estate that legally goes to my children. Also, tomorrow I will put your husband's legal will in probate. You will be a wealthy young woman, able to pick and choose your next husband from the highest in the land."

"You will leave me part of your estate that was to go to Paris Cockburn?" she questioned.

"Aye, but the young rogue will still get the title and Castle Tantallon." He looked into her veiled eyes. "Tell me true, what is between you and Paris? We must guard your reputation like the crown jewels. Once a lass gets a bad reputation, it clings like the stink on a dead man."

"There is nothing between us, save betrayal and hatred," she flared.

"Softly, softly. I have to be sure there's no dalliance going on with a married man. I know a woman finds the dangerous ones more attractive than other men."

Tabrizia and her father talked for two more hours. They discussed and argued and finally compromised on many pressing matters and agreed to discuss everything that came up that would have an effect on her life as his daughter. It was decided that Tabrizia could stay in Edinburgh at the town house for the time being, until she was furbished with a new wardrobe and until the legal papers were filed satisfactorily. Magnus, against his better judgment, gave her a pair of his smaller pistols along with an interminable lesson on how to clean, load and handle them with care. He agreed to ride to Cockburnspath to fetch her precious Mrs. Hall, and when he returned, Tabrizia was elated that he had also brought Alexandria with him for a visit. She knew he had only done it because he thought it proper for her to have another female with her, but on such a small point, she decided not to argue.

The images of the next fortnight merged into a wondrous blur of activity for Tabrizia. The most expensive dressmaker in Edinburgh was brought to the town house to provide her with a magnificent new wardrobe. A large chamber, along with the boudoir and dressing room, was completely stripped and refurnished with the very best that money could buy. Magnus gave her an allowance, and Tabrizia and Alexandria turned the shops of Edinburgh upside down in a mad dash of extravagance through jewelers, milliners, modistes and furrier shops. In the evenings, Magnus escorted them to the theaters and plays that were part of the city's rich array of entertainment, causing no little stir among the leaders of society: If any thought it outrageous that one so newly widowed was enjoying such a full social life, none was so foolish as to let it reach the ears of the Earl of Ormistan, who so obviously doted on his newfound daughter. After all, the girl was swathed in black, even though that black was a new sable cloak.

After the theater and a late supper one night, Tabrizia and Alexandria sat in bed and talked until the fingers of the dawn stole across the sky.

"How did you ever get permission to come and stay in Edinburgh?" asked Tabrizia.

"I didn't. Paris has not been fit company for the family since you left. He dines with his own men in their hall, drinking deep, which turns his temper murderous. Even the servants aren't fool enough to come within arm's reach. So I left him a message that I was going to Tantallon."

Tabrizia shuddered. "I don't wish to hear about your brother. What of the girls?"

"Venetia's betrothed to David Lennox, and the wedding is to be very soon. Naturally, Damascus is mad as fire because she isn't first, and I believe Shannon's on the verge of accepting a proposal from Lord Logan just so she won't be outdone."

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