Page 84 of Wild Hearts

All eyes flew to Alexandria.

Damascus, feeling guilty for her bullying, dropped to her knees before her sister. "My love, what's wrong?" Her eyes fell on Alexandria's belly, swollen beyond a doubt. "My God, you look months gone with child!"

"I am," whispered Alexandria miserably.

Tabrizia put her arm around her. "Why didn't you tell me ?"

Everyone in the room was stunned by the revelation. Paris exploded. "Those damned young Douglases, I knew they were wild and not to be trusted!."

Alexandria, in panic, shook her head. "It wasn't a Douglas."

"Then who? How?" shouted Paris. "If one of my men has molested you, I'll hang him before the sun goes down!"

She shook her head hopelessly. "It wasn't one of your men."

"Who, then? I'll have the name of the man with whom you've been playing the slut," he raged.

Alexandria raised her head, her eyes defiant now. "I will never tell you his name. I'd cut my tongue out first."

"We'll see about that, you little madam," shouted Paris, grabbing his whip and advancing upon the girl.

Alex, terrified for his twin, blurted out, "Stop! It was me. I'm the father."

Paris whirled upon him and the whip slipped from his fingers as the horror of what he was hearing penetrated. He took Alex by the throat and smashed a fist into his jaw. The boy fell in a bloody heap as Troy and Tabrizia ran forward to restrain Paris from more bloodletting. "Get them out of my sight, or I won't be responsible for what happens," ground out Paris, in the blackest rage any had ever seen.

The room was emptied. Tabrizia was torn between going to Alexandria or going to Paris. She went to Alexandria. "Come on, let's get you into bed, you are suffering from nervous exhaustion." She quickly undressed her and urged her under the covers. "I'm going to have Mrs. Hall come and look after you. She is just like a mother."

Alexandria began to laugh and cry at the same time. "Neither one of us knows what a mother is like."

"No, but we are both going to have to learn." Tabrizia smiled gently.

When she went to their bedchamber, Paris was drinking raw whisky. "I think we are cursed," he stated bleakly.

She knew what she wanted to tell him, but she must pick her words very carefully, lest she ignite his already lacerated temper.

"Nay"-- he shook his head—" 'tis not a curse, 'tis my fault." He looked into her eyes, and she could read the unbearable pain there. "I've done a terrible job bringing them up. From the beginning I've resented that the twins' birth killed our mother. They turned to each other, but I swear to you, love, I never suspected there was anything unnatural going on between them." -

"Nor was there!" declared Tabrizia emphatically. "Listen to me, darling. You mustn't torture yourself for one moment longer, thinking Alexander the father of her child. He just jumped in to protect her, the way he always does. He didn't realize how unspeakable such a thing would be. You know his only thought was to take her guilt upon himself."

Paris looked at her with a faint light of hope dawning in his eyes. "Do you really think it possible they were lying?"

"Alexandria is having a baby, but I'm absolutely convinced that Alex is not the father. I'll try to get her to confide in me, and between us we will put this whole mess right."

She reached out a comforting hand to him, then withdrew it quickly as he flared, "By God, I knew Shannon was a cock-chafer, but I'd no idea little Alexandria was somebody's night piece!"

"Night piece?" gasped Tabrizia. "Is that what I am to you?"

"Of course not! My darling, come here to me. I'm sorry you have to bear the brunt of my accursed temper, but sometimes this damned family has me at my wit's end." He pulled her down into his lap, and his lips brushed her temple. "You are so slim. Are you sure we are to have a child?"

"You'll have a son by November," she promised.

"You could be carrying a little vixen, just like yourself." He grinned in anticipation.

"Or twins," she teased.

His grin faded. "Don't even think that. Lord God. I am scared to death of your delivering one safely."

"I will be fine," she promised. "I want this baby too much for anything to go wrong. I'll talk with Alexandria."

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