Page 47 of Wild Hearts

"Shannon is foolish. Logie is a nice enough man, but she could do so much better. I don't think there's a more attractive woman in Scotland," concluded Tabrizia sincerely.

It didn't take long for father and daughter to have their first battle of wills. One morning at breakfast, she brought up the subject of business. "My education in financial matters has been woefully neglected; and since you have a reputation for being such an astute businessman, I think a few lessons might be in order."

"Whist, lass, no need to trouble yer pretty head about such nonsense," said Magnus as if he were speaking to a five-year-old.

She told him frostily, "I thought you told me I was about to become a wealthy woman. I shall need to know how to run my financial affairs."

"Ye will not! Not until yer twenty-one and of legal age. I am your legal guardian and will take care of all your financial affairs."

Hands on hips, giving full vent to her temper, she cried, "What? You old hypocrite! You swore to me I would have a say in everything that affected my life. Now you're telling me I've four more years to wait until I can make my own decisions?" She was outraged.

"Stop acting like a man! What will people think?"

"I'm not acting like a man. I'm acting like a Cockburn, and I don't give a damn what people think. Besides, I don't want that old swine's money; it's tainted."

"I'll hear none of that foolishness, girl!" he ordered. "If you don't use it for yourself, put it aside for your children. Look after you and yours, for no one else will," he admonished.

"When you put It that way, it makes sense." She threw down her napkin and came around the table to him "You see how I need your guidance? There are so many things I want to do. For instance, the land that the burned house sits on must be worth something. I'd like to sell it and give the money to the orphanage to make it a better place for the children who have to live there."

"Hmmph, I can see y'er serious about these financial affairs, but ye don't seem to grasp the scope of yer wealth. Abrahams's vault at the bank was filled with deeds to scores of pieces of land and castles he's given out money on. He, and now you, own mortgages from half of the landowners in Scotland.''

"I'd like to see these papers," she declared, showing a keen interest.

Magnus stood up and took a turn about the dining room. He came to a halt before her. "What you need is a secretary, a man of business with a head on his shoulders for figures. I'll get Stephen Galbraith to go over all these things with you. What do you say?"

"It Sounds like a wonderful idea to have a man of business, until I learn enough to handle my own affairs, of course." She added stubbornly, "Who is Stephen Galbraith?"

"He is a nephew of mine. My wife, the countess, was a Galbraith. Stephen's mother and my wife were sisters. His mother, Katherine, is Mistress of the Bedchamber to the Queen...She accompanied her to England. I'll invite him to dinner, and then if you think you can get along with him, I'll hire him for your secretary."

Tabrizia had grave reservations about meeting another of Magnus's nephews but was pleasantly surprised, at the gentle manners of Stephen Galbraith. He was a handsome man with fair hair and aquamarine eyes that sparkled with what seemed some inner amusement. He looked to be in his early twenties. He was well muscled, his body bearing an easy grace. There was a marked difference between this man and the Cockburns. Where they had an untamed, rough, sometimes menacing quality, this young man was cultured, polished and obviously a gentleman.

Magnus's voice boomed his welcome as he drew Tabrizia forward for the introduction. "This is my daughter, Stephen. Rumor has likely flown before her, and you know all about her."

"For once rumor did not exaggerate." He kissed her hand. "You are wondrous fair, cousin."

"Thank you, Stephen. Has my father told you that I need a man of business, not only to help me in financial matters, but also to complete my education and teach me about business matters so that I am better able to make decisions for myself?"

Stephen bowed to her. "He has indeed, and I am most willing to do what I can for a couple of months. Unfortunately, at that time I'm going to the King's Court in England, My mother has secured a place for me in the Queen's household." He grinned an apology. "I am led to believe great fortunes are to be made in England at the moment, by canny Scots."

"And do you need to make your fortune, sir?" asked Tabrizia.

"Indeed I do. I am only a poor second son. When my father died a few years back, the debts were crippling. That is why my mother took a-post with the Queen."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry into your business."

Stephen smiled. "Not at all, I have no secrets."

She found she liked him more each day, enjoying both his openness and his manners. He treated her like a woman of intelligence, and she was flattered. Tabrizia could clearly see that Stephen had begun to court her. She enjoyed the light flirtation in which she had never had a chance to indulge before. They were often thrown together, going over hundreds of papers that had belonged to Abrahams, and consequently a friendship began to emerge and deepen.

"Stephen, my father tells me I have no legal rights until I am twenty-one. He is my legal guardian for at least four more years."

"That is correct," he said carefully.

"What I thought I might like to do is set up my own residence. I do not really fancy living at Tantallon under my father's thumb. I would rather be independent, but I know he wouldn't hear of such a thing. He wouldn't even let me stay in Edinburgh without Alexandria as companion. So you are telling me he can prevent me from making my own decisions for at least four years?"

"He is your guardian until you are twenty-one..." He paused for effect, then went on carefully, "Or until you marry."

Her eyes widened. "If I married, Magnus would not be my legal guardian anymore? Oh, but then of course my husband would run my financial affairs."

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