Page 65 of Wild Hearts

"Since I am a gentleman," he drawled, "I will allow you to use the bathwater first."

"I shall when you leave," she stated flatly.

"Madam, I am here for the night. I've spent enough hours this day on that freezing deck."

"You surely don't expect me to undress and bathe in front of you while you stand about gaping at me, do you?' she demanded.

"Madam, must I remind you that I own those breasts, belly and buttocks you are so loathe to display before me?" he reminded her arrogantly.

"Own?" She gasped. "You may own this ship, you may own a castle, but you most certainly do not own me, sir!"

He lifted a dark brow. "Shall I prove it to you?" he asked casually, then added in a harsher tone, "The water grows cool; if you are not in it in two minutes, I will be, and you can go without a bath!"

Reluctantly, she took off her dress and, turning her back to him, took off her drawers and petticoat. She slipped off her stockings and stepped into the water. It felt wonderful on her skin, and she closed her eyes and luxuriated in its warmth. He stretched out on the bed to watch her. He viewed the smooth shoulders and the full curve of her breast each time she lifted her arm to sponge the water over her. His breath caught in his throat as the lamplight fired her curls. He wanted to make love to her. Immediately. He shifted his position to ease the tightness in his breeches and cursed himself for a fool. Why had he promised her he'd leave her alone? He must have been mad. It was impossible to see her and not desire her; inconceivable to desire her and not take her.

She did not wish to be greedy and stay in the water until it was too cool for him to enjoy his bath, so she stepped quickly from the tub and wrapped herself in a towel. She cast a quick glance in his direction and saw clearly the hungry look that lingered there. She averted her eyes quickly and slipped her petticoat over her head. Then, as he arose from the bed to remove his garments, she lay down and pulled the covers over her head so she would not see his nakedness. She did not trust him and held her breath when she felt his weight dip the side of the bed. She waited tensely as the minutes stretched out, then, when he made no move toward her, she let out a long sigh of relief. Then came his maddening, infuriating drawl. "Disappointed?"

"You damned devil," she muttered under her breath, and she heard him chuckle with amusement as she moved to the farthest edge of the bed.

It took another week to reach Scotland, and the newlyweds were only saved from each other by the amount of time Paris had to spend away from the cabin. When they came together, he was like a match that ignited her temper, sending it smoldering, then blazing into hot, fiery outbursts.

One evening he spent time in the cabin going over sea charts. She came close, showing a curiosity over the map. Her nearness affected him as it always did, and as he was about to reach out a hand to caress her, he saw that her finger traced the outline of the Orkney Islands. A black, blinding jealousy seized him, and he could have struck her. He closed his eyes to gain control of his savage emotions. He reminded himself that he had questioned Jasper and learned she had not been alone with Patrick Stewart for more than a few moments. Then he admitted to himself it was her thoughts he was jealous of. She filled his head and heart so that there was no room for thoughts of another, and he longed for it to be the same with her. He said scornfully, "You would have hated the Orkneys, it's so bleak and cold. It's like living in Iceland." She raised startled eyes to him, wondering what she had done to invite his anger.

That night he waited until she slept before he joined her in the wide, low bed.

The day they arrived home sent a warm happiness flooding through Tabrizia. She couldn't wait to see the family— it was the one great consolation of this dreadful marriage. She admitted to herself that she was indeed thankful to be coming home, rather than going to the far-off Orkneys.

Paris sent David along to the cabin to take her belongings up on deck before lowering them into the small boat. She smiled at him. "Thank you for looking after me. I may need a friend at the castle. Will you be that friend, David?"

"Lord Cockburn has all my loyalty, ma'am, and now that naturally extends to you," he pledged.

She smiled in spite of her thoughts. "Sweet David, that is not what I had in mind, but I do thank you for your loyalty."

She put on her sable cloak and went up on deck. It was only a moment before the tall figure of her husband towered over her, helping her down into the boat with sure, strong hands. She gave him a questioning glance that he was coming ashore with her, and she felt his possessive arm around her waist as he announced grimly, "I want you at my side when we tell them."

CHAPTER 15

Tabrizia could see a red-haired girl waving from the turrets as the boat was rowed closer to shore. By the time the boat was beached, she knew the word of their arrival would have spread through the castle like wildfire, and the whole family would be gathered to greet them by the time they reached the courtyard. Paris helped her ascend the path up the cliff, and she was vividly reminded of the last time he brought her up. She hoped he had forgotten the incident, but when he grinned at her and said, "I hope they have your chains ready," she could have died from chagrin.

The family was gathered in the entrance hall to await their coming. Tabrizia came forward hesitantly, her husband's possessive hand at the small of her back.

Troy, grinning from ear to ear, exclaimed, "Look what the tide dragged in!"

Shannon, more beautiful than ever, tossed her lovely hair, looked from Paris to Tabrizia and back to Paris again. "Is everything all right again between you two?"

Paris replied smoothly, "I should hope so, we were married in London."

Damascus burst out breathlessly. "Oh, Tabrizia, how romantic!"

Paris said, "It hasn't been at all romantic for her, I'm afraid. We had a bitch of a storm. She must be exhausted."

Troy grinned. "I'll bet she's exhausted; married to a ram like you, brother."

Damascus put her delicate nose in the air at her brother's lewd remark. Paris brought his wife's hand to his lips and murmured, "My sweet, I apologize for the coarseness of my family, but I know you forgive them because you love them."

Tabrizia's eyes searched his face. These were the first gentle words he'd uttered since they wed. Paris startled her again by acting completely out of character. He picked up Alexandria and threw her into the air in a display of brotherly affection. Her serious little face radiated joy that he had taken her advice.

Shannon laughed. "Well, it's the happiest news we've had around here in a long time."

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