Page 71 of Wild Hearts

A fever of jealousy gripped him. He had to crush the childish urge to smash Orkney's gift. He bellowed, "Mooning over some damned toy he gave you. I won't have it, put it away!" His eyes lowered to the tempting swell of her breasts, beautifully displayed in the exquisite gown. "And another thing I won't have is you flaunting yourself naked before our company."

Her eyes widened. "I believe you are jealous," she said incredulously.

"Jealous?" He sneered, goaded beyond endurance. "I've a beautiful new mistress in the village of Cockburnspath. Why should I be jealous of you, madam?"

She couldn't be certain, but she suspected that he lied about the girl, else why would he be here every night, watching her undress? Nevertheless, she experienced a jealousy of her own and was stung to retort, "While you are off playing your silly games of war, I shall be free to enjoy Edinburgh and choose a lover."

His emerald eyes pierced her with their icy glitter, and his hands cupped her shoulders roughly. "If you ever yield to another that which you deny me, you sign his death warrant!"

CHAPTER 16

When James returned from Douglas with his hundred men, Shannon ran out to greet him as if he had been gone two years, rather than two days. Paris watched her run like some wild thing, the object of her love blotting out everything else in the world, and he knew that was what he yearned for himself.

The hundred Borderers alerted everyone at Cockburnspath Castle that a large raid was imminent, and the seeds of a plan began to form in Alexandria's head. She knew without being told that it involved the Gordons, and a thrill shivered along her spine as she thought of handsome Adam Gordon. When she saw the ships being provisioned, she could have jumped for joy! Ships were so easy to hide upon, they provided dozens of places for concealment.

By the early hour at which the men retired, Tabrizia knew the venture would begin on the morrow. James and Shannon went to her chamber the moment the evening meal was finished, and even Troy went upstairs instead of out on his haunts for the evening.

Alexander sat alone, staring into the fire, biting lips gone pale.

"Do you accompany my lord, Alex?"

"Aye," he said- bitterly, "but only because he gives me no choice."

Paris was almost stripped by the time she joined him. As she began to take the pins from her hair, he gave her his full attention. His eyes lingered at her wrists and neck as her fingers undid the buttons of her rather prim gown. She stopped in mid-button and turned to him. "You know Alexander's reluctance to go on this raid does not stem from fear?"

"Do I?" His eyes followed her hands as she lifted her skirt to remove a stocking. She continued firmly, "He simply disapproves of punitive raids. On principle," she emphasized. She lifted her gown over her head to remove it and found him almost beside her. "Did you hear me?" she asked.

He looked at her blankly, and she reminded, "I was speaking of Alex."

He growled. "If you think I'm going to discuss that young devil, you are sadly mistaken. Come to bed, I must be up before first light"

She sighed and knew she mustn't press him further if she didn't want his temper to erupt like a volcano. The room was overly silent for long minutes, then he said into the darkness, "Tabrizia... dammit, it's too painful for me..." The words seemed to catch in his throat. "I can't go any longer without..." He sighed deeply. "What I'm trying to-say is, Alexander can stay aboard ship; he need not come on the road."

She smiled into the darkness and whispered, "Thank you."

When she awoke in the morning, Paris was long gone, and she felt a great emptiness. She had let him go without a word, and though she feared greatly for his safety, pride had forbidden her from letting him know. If anything happened to him, she knew she would grieve forever over what might have been. If only he felt a small part of the love she felt for him, her life would be perfect.

Mrs. Hall came bustling in with a tray for her, and the moment she smelled the food, she was overcome by a wave of nausea and began to retch miserably.

"Och, my little lamb, don't tell me yer breedin'. My lord, all he had to do was throw his trousers on the bed."

"How can you joke about it?" exclaimed Tabrizia in a stricken voice. "Anyway, 'tis impossible. Don't you dare say a word about this."

A pale and troubled Tabrizia found Shannon vibrantly laughing and shouting orders to the servants. Shannon stopped abruptly and said, "Tab, whatever is the matter?"

"I'm afraid about the raid. Aren't you worried at all?" she asked in amazement.

Shannon gave her a firm, "No! If I admitted fear, it would show that I had less than supreme confidence in my man. He's doing what he must do, and I'm getting on with what I have to do. I need a million things before I go to Douglas, so I'm going into Edinburgh for a few days. Damascus is coming with me. If you hurry, you can come, too. It will take your mind from worries of Paris. Tell Alexandria she can come as well, but we are leaving very shortly."

Tabrizia smiled her apologies. "I think I've had enough traveling for a while. Did Paris leave behind enough of his men to give you safe escort?"

"There must be at least two kicking their heels about the barracks. I must hasten Damascus, or we'll never get started. Good-bye, darling, I'll see you in a couple of days."

Tabrizia didn't run into Alexandria, and it wasn't until the other girls had been gone for two hours that she began to hunt for her. When neither Mrs. Hall nor Tabrizia could find her anywhere, a ghastly suspicion began to form in her mind. She put on her cloak and went to the stables to see if the twins' horses were both gone. When she discovered the empty stalls, her worst fears were confirmed. Now she not only had to. worry about Alexandria's safety but also Paris's temper when he discovered his sister had gone on the -raid.

The Ambrosia and the Sea Witch were under full sail by first light on that second day of February. At first it had been undecided whether to make port in Aberdeen and ride north to Huntly, or sail right up around Kinnairds Headland and ride south to Huntly. They decided to let the temper of the Atlantic decide for them. They sighted Aberdeen just before the light failed and decided the seas were not angry enough to make them seek harbor. Further up the coast they anchored in Cruden Bay by Old Slain's. Castle for the night, and went over their plans. They decided to anchor their ships a short way into the mouth of the River Deveron, just north of Huntly. They would hit the castle first, after dark, in a surprise attack; inflict what devastation they could, carry off valuables and a Huntly or Gordon hostage, then fire the villages and the surrounding countryside on their way back to their ships. Paris sought out Alexander and told him he need not accompany them inland. As Paris searched his young brother's face, he could see he was tortured with indecision. Alexander opened his mouth to confide something to Paris, then clamped his lips firmly, his resolve taken.

The anchorage proved an excellent spot for concealment where the riverbanks were heavily treed. The horses were disembarked and allowed to graze all afternoon. It was mutually agreed that Douglas would command his own men and Cockburn would do likewise. Dusk fell early this winter's eve, followed shortly by a deep, ebon darkness, moonless and all concealing. The assault was planned for the midnight witching hour, when most would be abed.

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