Page 81 of Wild Hearts

CHAPTER 18

Paris and Tabrizia rode to Douglas on the day of the wedding, savoring this precious time they had alone together. The wedding in the church of St. Bride was very stately and formal, and though the church was large, it was packed to capacity. Many of the village people crowded outside for a glimpse of the bride. Douglas Castle was most comfortable, even though it was a formidable stronghold. Vast monies had been expended on its comforts, and James's two younger brothers, Hugh and Will, outdid themselves entertaining the beauteous, redheaded Cockburn ladies.

The Great Hall with its roaring fireplaces was bustling with preparations for the evening's entertainment and feast. Feast was the only word to describe the plentiful fare Douglas had provided. Shannon's wedding gown was in her husband's colors of blue and white, the décolletage so daring that her pink nipples could be seen from a side view, which is exactly where her new husband would be sitting.

Paris and James sat together, deep in conversation, their women on either side. They spoke for so long, Tabrizia was piqued at his lack of attention. Not until James's attention wandered to his wife's magnificent breasts did Paris turn to Tabrizia to offer her some choice woodcock. She refused, to spite him, and chose from a platter presented from her right by Hugh Douglas. Hugh said something Paris did not catch, and Tabrizia's merriment rippled out across the table. She smiled so prettify at Hugh Douglas, he actually flushed. Paris cast a sidelong glance at the young man, then his glance traveled to Will Douglas, and he saw that youth also devouring Tabrizia with hungry eyes. She pretended to know nothing of it and said provocatively, "I fear you will spoil me. I shall be moped to death when we have to return home."

"Count on me, madam, to invent new amusements for you," teased Paris, but she did not respond with laughter.

A game of blind-man's-buff was proposed, and Paris hinted, "I'm sure we won't be missed, if we disappear."

"Oh, I don't want to miss the fun, milord. If you older men would rather talk, I'll join the young people."

He let the barb pass smoothly and replied, "Not at all. If you wish me to join in the games, I shall do so."

Whoever was blindfolded sought out their favorite so quickly, it was suspected the blindfold had a peephole in it. When it was Tabrizia's turn, the muscle in Paris's jaw tightened dangerously as she ran toward Hugh Douglas and felt him indelicately about the arms and chest. Pretending ignorance of his identity, her hands touched his face, then his hair, as she exclaimed, "A handsome devil, whoever he is!"

Paris walked over to Tabrizia and gave Hugh a warning look, so that the youth was left in no doubt of his displeasure.. Paris tickled her neck, and she swung around and groped for whoever had touched her. Her hands came into contact with the hard broad chest, and she knew his identity instantly. She feigned ignorance, however. "Is it Hugh?" she asked sweetly. Everyone howled with laughter and shouted, "Wrong! wrong!"

She explored further, her hand reaching up and tracing the strong chin. "Oh, 'tis Will," she guessed.

The laughter grew louder. "Wrong! wrong!"

"Let me feel your hands?" she begged. He held them out stiffly, and she took them between her own.

"Oh, I give up, I don't know these hands at all." She reached up and lifted the blindfold. She allowed her features to fall in disappointment. "Oh, 'tis you!"

For an instant she saw hurt in his eyes, then it was gone as they flashed angrily. "I thought I forbade you to wear revealing gowns," he growled.

"Revealing?" she gasped. "Have you noticed what Shannon is wearing?"

"I no longer have the controlling of her behavior, thank God," he spat out, and took himself off to drink with the rest of the men.

Though they were provided with a luxurious bedchamber, neither seemed to be in the mood to enjoy it. The quality of her silence told him that she would have none of him, and the annoying thing was that he didn't know what had precipitated her coolness toward him. A dozen times he almost reached out to her, but he wished to avoid a total rejection, so he left things as they were, hoping a new day would clear away the clouds between them. When she awoke, he was already gone, off for a day's hunting in the forests that surrounded the Douglas Castle. As the day wore on, he grew troubled that he had left her without a word, so he left the hunting party early. He would surprise her. He took the flight of stone steps two at a time, then checked suddenly as he looked up toward the gallery and saw a couple embrace and kiss. He knew it was Tabrizia, for she wore the fur cloak he had gifted her with. A black-biled rage consumed him as he flung back down the steps and went off to await Douglas's return from the hunt.

"What has savaged your temper?" asked James as soon as he saw him.

"Someone has played me false." His voice crackled. James recognized woman trouble when he saw it.

"Your brother Hugh is about to draw his last breath unless you can control him. We will be leaving at first light." Paris left him and returned to the Great Hall.

When Tabrizia saw him, she gave a little cry of delight and ran to greet him. The icy contempt she saw in his eyes prevented her from flinging her arms about him.

He said, "Such devotion is touching."

She searched his face, unsure of herself beneath his accusing glare.

"Upstairs!" he ordered.

"Milord, what's amiss?" she whispered.

"Get upstairs when I tell you!" he repeated.

She fled, ashamed that others were witness to the scene. Now she was angry, and when they were alone, she would tell him so in no uncertain terms. The stone walls almost shook, so hard did he slam the chamber door. She faced him defiantly, with hands on hips. He advanced on her in two long strides. "I'll have an accounting of your whereabouts this afternoon, madam."

She tossed her head and exclaimed, "Pish!"

He grabbed her roughly and shook her like a rag doll. "You faithless bitch!" he swore.

---