Page 69 of Wild Hearts

"I know that," said Shannon weakly.

"What of Johnny Raven? Douglas would not stand for you having a lover," Tabrizia added.

"Thank God for that," breathed Shannon fervently.

When the men came into the dining room, they dominated it completely. One had red hair, the other black. Tabrizia arose to greet their guest. He bent low to kiss her lips, knowing full well it would annoy Paris. Her eyes laughed up into his knowingly. "If you like redheads, you have come to the right place."

James Douglas held out his hand in an invitation to Shannon. She was beside him in a trice, all sweet submission. Paris reached out to encircle his wife's tiny waist and gave her an amused, knowing glance. At last she had done something that pleased him, and she heaved a great sigh of relief that her plans had come to fruition.

After dinner, Paris told everyone, "I think James and Shannon should be allowed some privacy"; then he turned to Tabrizia and said loudly so that all could hear, "Are you ready to be carried to bed, my love?"

Why does he taunt me with love words in front of others? she thought wildly. Then, in a flash of brilliance, the idea came to beat him at his own game. She would become provocative and loving in front of the others, to pay him back and gauge his reaction. She lifted inviting arms to him and said huskily so everyone could hear, "Are you going to beg for my favors again tonight, darling?"

His hands were ungentle as he picked her up, and his rapier-sharp eyes pierced her with their warning brilliance. He dropped her on their bed, and she saw with satisfaction that the muscle in his jaw stood out with suppressed anger.

"I warned you once, I wouldn't be made a laughingstock. Beg for your favors, madam? You must be mad!"

She shrugged. "You take such pleasure in taunting me before the others. 'Tis a game two may enjoy. What do you wager that I am better at it than you, sir?" she provoked.

He turned his back upon her indifferently and took a book to the bed as if she bored him to death. She smiled a secret smile and went to the high mahogany chest that held her nightgowns. Slowly, she lifted a sheer apricot concoction and shook out the folds carefully. From the tail of her eye, she saw his eyes lift from the book to watch her. With deliberately slow movements she sat at her dressing table and bent to remove her shoes. Then she lifted the skirt of her gown, elevated her leg and slipped off one stocking. As she reached for the other stocking, she saw him lick lips gone suddenly dry.

She turned her back toward him and slipped her gown down to her waist. As she lifted her arms to put on the nightgown, she knew he glimpsed the side of her breast. Then she stood to pull down the delicate nightgown and step out of her gown and drawers. The book was forgotten now as he watched her openly. With maddeningly slow fingers she took the pins from her hair, one by one, until it fell to her waist in a tumbling mass of curls. She took up her brush and absently stroked at it, her eyes dreaming of something or someone miles away.

He cursed under his breath. "Are you corning to bed, or are you going to sit there all night?" he asked irritably.

She said absently, "Bed? No, I thought I'd read for a while." She took the book to the window embrasure, piled high with velvet cushions, and snuggled down for a good, long read. With a savage snort, he rose from the bed and headed up the steps that led to her old room. "Have the damned room to yourself, since I bother you so much!" Before he reached the top step, however, there came a low, insistent knock upon their chamber door, and Paris came down to answer it. James stood with his arm about Shannon and a look of apology in his eyes for disturbing them. "Can we come in?" he asked.

Paris held the door wide, then helped Tabrizia into a warm, velvet bedgown.

Shannon was blushing, a rarity for her.

James began, "When we get to Douglas Castle, we'll have a formal wedding in the church of St. Bride. 'Tis large and stately, and the bishop's prelate from Glasgow will officiate, but in the meantime, whatever am I to do?"

His hands cupped Shannon's shoulders and drew her toward his body. His eyes: feasted upon her mouth until she was breathless He appealed to the couple who were so newly wed. "I cannot leave her this night. Could we not drag the Cockburn chapel clergyman from his. bed. to say the words over us?"

Shannon swayed in his arms. His wish was her wish. Both were weak with desire. Paris almost savaged his friend, then the irony of the situation struck him, and he shook his head and laughed to himself. He reached for his cloak and said, "Come, we'll summon him. If I know aught of his whereabouts, he's in the barracks, drunk with the rest of the men at this hour."

As soon as they were alone, Shannon whispered to Tabrizia, "Lend me your little pearl-handled penknife." It took Tabrizia only a moment to discern her purpose. Shannon sagged with relief as she concealed it in her sleeve. "Let's not waken the others, they can come to Douglas and see me wed proper in-the church."

The two girls met the men coming back with the cleric, dwarfed between their great heights. Paris said, "No need to go out in the cold to the chapel. You will be wed no matter where the vows are exchanged." So they were married where they stood, and the cleric was left with open mouth, for as he said the final words, James picked up his bride and swept her from the room and up to her bedchamber.

Paris and Tabrizia returned to their own bedchamber. Their thoughts were all of the other couple and the obvious desire between the two that would not be denied. They were oddly tongue-tied with one another. Each longed for a tender word, a gentle touch, a love pledge, but each knew the possibility was too remote to hope for.

Morning brought the sails of the Ambrosia into view, and though Tabrizia dreaded her father's wrath, she was relieved that Magnus would be there within the hour. Paris had forbidden her to reveal what had gone on to his family, and she had been silent, but she fully intended to be private with Magnus and reveal every detail of Cockburn's wicked behavior. As she entered the dining room, Paris and James had just finished breakfast and they rose to leave. She gave Paris a triumphant look as she announced, "Take warning, milord, my father is here."

Paris exchanged glances with James. "He made good time. We can ask him for the Ambrosia, and appraise him of our plans."

Tabrizia was disconcerted. Paris seemed totally unconcerned about Magnus and his possible vengeance. Well, when she had finished her tale of woe, it would wipe that damned mockery from his face permanently. She watched from the clifftops as the small boat was rowed ashore, bringing her father and her dear Mrs. Hall. She saw James and Paris, down on the beach, drag the boat ashore and help the occupants to dry land. Mrs. Hall immediately began a slow ascent, but Tabrizia watched the men as they engaged in serious conversation. They did not seem to be shouting, or even angry, but spoke quietly, earnestly, nodding and agreeing upon matters. She went down the incline to help Mrs. Hall ascend the last few yards.

"Oh, lassie," panted Mrs. Hall, "I'm that relieved that ye didna go runnin' off to the Orkneys. And now ye are Lady Cockburn. I'm that happy, I could weep."

"Aye, that's how I feel," agreed Tabrizia dryly.

"You must be exhausted after that voyage. Let's get you to bed, and I'll send a tray to your room."

"Exhausted? Nay, nay. Never had such an invigoratin' time in ma life. The sea air is like a tonic! Ye left half yer pretty things at the house in London, but I've brought them safe and sound. As soon as those great louts bring yer trunks up, I'll have everything put away in no time!'

They walked back to the castle together, and as Tabrizia took the older woman's cloak from her, she hugged her plump little figure and whispered, "I missed you sorely. I'm glad you are back with me."

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