Page 74 of Wild Hearts

Their young prisoner looked vastly relieved at the talk of exchange. He had been brought up on stories of Cockburn atrocities.

"Will we geld him first?" joked Douglas, effectively wiping the relieved look from their young prisoner's face.

"I'll go at first light; just me and the boy," said Paris. "They will be expecting me, and they might set a trap."

"How will you keep Ian or, for that matter, Troy from being at your side?" inquired James doubtfully.

"I command men easily; women are more difficult, damn them to hell," swore Paris.

A heavy frost had turned the world white as daylight approached on that February morn. As the two horses reined to a full stop beneath the castle walls, they pranced and snorted so their breath spiraled from their nostrils in the sharp, freezing air. All in the castle were aware of Cockburn's arrival. An urgent summons had come from Huntly to bring their fair prisoner down to the Great Hall.

The young man and maid in the great curtained bed had heard the summons but had not yet complied. Alexandria clung to Adam as if once she let him from her embrace, she would never know him again. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she whispered brokenly, "I cannot bear the separation."

He stroked her hair, then put her from him firmly. "You will. We both will, until I find a way. Where is the courage I admired so much in you?" he chided gently.

She slipped from the bed and groped for her clothes. "The buttons are gone from my doublet," she said helplessly, not even able to dress herself in her great distress.

Adam went to his armoire and took a fresh linen shirt. "Put this on underneath, then it won't matter if the doublet won't button. It will also remind you of me."

Blindly, she put her arms through and sat like a puppet while he finished dressing her, then went back to the bed to search for hairpins. She pulled on her cap, and he tucked in the bright, errant curls.

Huntly stood out of sight atop the castle walls and prompted Will in his negotiations with the Border lord.

Paris's voice rang clearly in the cold air. "I know 'tis a poor exchange, but I offer a Gordon for a Cockburn." He was careful to make no reference to Alexandria's gender in case they had not discovered her to be female.

At Huntly's instructions, Will called down, "We demand also the return of the chests of gold."

Paris's hand trembled slightly at his own temerity as he uncoiled a length of rope from his saddle-brow. "Ye are about to witness a hanging!" He spurred his horse toward a small stand of birch, and young Johnny Gordon screamed, "Help me!"

"Hold!" came the command from above. "If you hang a Gordon we will hang a Cockburn," it threatened.

Paris grinned and gave them an insolent bow. "The sacrifice is well worth it, to rid the world of .a Gordon!" He spurred on toward the trees, taking the second horse with him. At a leisurely pace he threw the rope over a stout limb and tested it. Then he began to fashion a noose from its length. He maneuvered the horse of the bound man so that he could loop the noose over his head when the portcullis of Huntly Castle was lowered to relinquish its Cockburn hostage. As Alexandria rode forward at a slow canter, Paris gave Johnny Gordon his freedom. He gave the horse a slap on the rump, and it took off for its home stable without delay.

Paris dismounted and was at Alexandria's stirrup in a trice. He looked up anxiously. "Sweetheart, are ye all right?"

When she saw the deep lines of worry and fatigue etched in his face, her conscience smote her sorely. When he saw that she was unharmed, anger quickly replaced concern. "When I am done with you, you will never play one of your damned female tricks again. You and your brother will finally be taught your lesson."

She gave a little grimace and said, "I don't care what you do to me; just don't punish Alexander for my sins."

Paris was angrier than ever as he exclaimed, "You two stick together, no matter what havoc you wreak!"

Halfway back to the ship, they were met by James Douglas, who had loaded the gold on a packhorse and was on his way to return what they had looted.

Paris's face split into a grin. "What, James? No faith in me?"

"I didn't think even you could manage an even swap!" remarked Douglas candidly. "How did you do it?"

Paris winked. "Pure humbuggery, but I was shaking in my boots, I can tell you."

On board the Sea Witch, the men all stared in silent embarrassment at the girl who had jeopardized their laird's plans.

Paris looked at the twins coldly. "I give you leave to remove yourselves from my presence." Then, when they were gone below, he threw his arm about James, and they laughed heartily at the great relief they felt. Paris ordered whisky all around before they weighed anchor and sailed for home, victorious. When he returned home, things were going to be different, he vowed. He was done with waiting; he had just proved the best way to take what you wanted in this life. He anticipated seeing his wife with great impatience.

When Shannon and Damascus arrived at the town house in Edinburgh, they were disconcerted to find that Margaret was staying there. Shannon knew how to be rid of her in a hurry and didn't hesitate to embellish her story. "Margaret, didn't you know Magnus has returned to Tantallon? Oh, he will be disappointed when he finds that you are not there awaiting him with open arms. You were all he could talk about; he missed you sorely. I declare I never saw a man so eager."

Damascus aided and abetted her sister. "I wonder what presents he brought you from London?"

Margaret looked surprised. "Is his daughter married, then?"

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