Wild Hearts (5 page)

Rogue Cockburn's suspicions had been right on target. Maxwell Abrahams was one of the most corrupt men in Edinburgh, but it would have taken a most discerning-eye to know that by his appearance. He was a small man of perhaps fifty years. Two- things about him were actually most attractive. His voice was pleasant and low, lacking the harsh Scots accent, and his hands were beautiful and expressive, albeit too white and soft for a man's. He almost always wore black, which emphasized the paleness of his skin.

He had summoned Mrs. Graham from the Edinburgh orphanage to his elegant home, as he did two or three times a year, so she could collect his charitable donation to the orphanage. What he always got in return for his one-hundred-pound donation was a boy of perhaps ten or twelve years.

"My dear Mrs. Graham, I am delighted to see you again. Allow me to offer you a glass of sherry, or do you prefer malt whisky? Ah, yes, I thought you might." -

Mrs, Graham noted his pallor and could plainly see the deterioration in the man. She kept her eyes lowered because she knew he would be shrewd enough to read her thoughts.

He sat down behind his desk and ran his beautiful hands over a small cash box. "My dear Mrs. Graham, this time I had something a little different in mind."

She was instantly alert. This man was her only hope for a comfortable retirement. She sipped her whisky and waited for him to continue.

"This time I have decided to take a girl instead." He smiled almost kindly. "She would have to be young, clean, biddable. Can you fill my order, Mrs. Graham?"

She shook her head emphatically. "Impossible, sir." The moment he had asked for a female, a picture of beautiful Tabby Lamont sprang into her vision; but it was going to cost him more than a hundred pounds. "I do have one female in my care the right age, but she is such a beautiful young virgin, I am presently negotiating a bride price with a certain nobleman," she improvised quickly.

"My dear Mrs. Graham, I will double whatever he offers."

She shook her head firmly again, seemingly appalled at his suggestion. "I wouldn't dare, sir. If this girl were not decently married, there would be trouble from certain high places. We, of course, are not supposed to know their parentage, but in her case, I have my suspicions. No, sir, it will have to be marriage or nothing I'm afraid."

"That is out of the question, Mrs. Graham." He smiled.

She took a deep breath and plunged in. "Mr. Abrahams, I am taking a great liberty, I know, but if you would heed my humble advice, a wife could be a most desirable asset to you socially. It would put an end to undesirable gossip, and I might add, this particular bride would connect you with a powerful Earl of the Realm. But, I have said too much. Let us forget the whole business!'

"My dear Mrs. Graham, I see no harm in taking a look at the young lady. Shall we say tomorrow at two? I'll drop by your worthy establishment:"

Tabby knew something eventful would happen that day, when Mrs, Graham singled her out for attention. At dawn, instead of dragging out the large iron pots for the porridge making, she was told to bathe and wash her hair. Mrs. Graham gave her a pristine white smock, with lace collar and cuffs, to wear, and brushed the silken mass of auburn curls about her shoulders. Mrs. Graham knew better than most that innocence was erotic to men.

Tabby tried to keep her excitement under control. After Lord Cockburn's visit, she had-waited for him to return month after month. When it finally dawned on her that he was not coming back, her defenses stiffened to protect herself from vulnerability. She swore an oath to herself that one day she would settle the score with him. How cruel to raise up someone's hopes, then dash them down so thoughtlessly. Well, she was a child no longer. She was almost seventeen, and the thought of revenge warmed her heart. When Mrs. Graham led her into her sitting room and she came face-to-face with Maxwell Abrahams, she was taken completely off her guard. "Oh, I thought you were Lord Cockburn."

Mrs. Graham's eyes darted to Maxwell Abrahams, and she saw that he had caught the significance of the child's remark:

Though Abrahams's sexual preference lay in another direction, he was nevertheless a collector of objets d'art and appreciated beautiful things for their own sake.

"This gentleman is Mr. Maxwell Abrahams"— she turned to him—"and this is Tabby Lamont. Exactly as I promised, is she not?"

"She is everything and more, my dear Mrs. Graham. I have come as a supplicant, my dear Miss Lamont. Would you indulge an old gentleman's fancy by dining at my home this evening?"

Tabby, never having received an invitation to dine out before, quickly said yes before he changed his mind.

Mrs. Graham stepped between them. "Wait outside," she ordered Tabby. When she was alone with Abrahams, she said, "I cannot allow her to leave with you. I'd never get her back."

"God rot you, woman. If it's money you want, I'll pay you now."

"Not just money, dear sir, not just money. A written offer of marriage, showing your intentions are honorable, would relieve me of responsibility should there be questions and inquiries about this... maiden." She emphasized the last word. "Her moral welfare is in my hands, and I am accountable, orphan though she may be."

He could see that he was going to have to capitulate to gain his desires, at least for the present. However, Mrs. Graham could present problems for him, and problems had to be dealt with.

"I have a very important piece of business to transact in Edinburgh Saturday, and I need the help of a ravishing female," announced Paris.

"Then by a process of elimination, it will have to be me," Damascus piped up.

"Rubbish!" snorted Shannon. "I've heard so much of it from you lately, I'm becoming a connoisseur of rubbish."

Paris turned from the two girls who were arguing and said, "Venetia, you are the perfect choice to accompany me to a society wedding."

She eyed him cautiously. "After the fling, beware the sting. Just how dangerous is this piece of business?"

"Oh, if it's dangerous, I'll do it, Paris, please," begged Alexandria, ever the tomboy.

"I know you would, sweetheart, but you are too young. Venetia, you must know I would never jeopardize your safety. 'Tis a simple matter, really. You will attend the reception with me. It's being held at one of the banqueting halls at Holyrood Palace. You must leave the moment the bride leaves, no matter how much you are enjoying yourself. I'll have six of my men accompany you. Make your way quietly to a big house on Princes Street close to the castle. When I quit this house, it will be your signal to ride like the wind with as much clatter as you can muster down the Royal Mile out of Castle Hill, past St. Giles Church and into the Canongate. By this time, you will have been very likely stopped by a troop of soldiers. Here comes the part you will love. You must play the role of the outraged beauty having her whereabouts questioned by common soldiers. Give them the dressing-down they deserve, tell them you are simply on your way to your uncle's town house for the night and be sure to let them know that Uncle Magnus is an Earl of the Realm."

"I'm to act as decoy while you get away." Venetia nodded as she memorized the instructions.

"Why couldn't I do-it?" pouted Damascus, putting her chin in the air.

"Your tongue isn't sharp enough." Paris laughed.

"Mine is," asserted Shannon.

"Yes, sweetheart, but you always want to do things your own way. You can't be trusted to follow orders, can you? Besides, I'll need you here to receive my prisoner."

"What exactly is this piece of business?" she demanded.

"A kidnapping for ransom."

Paris had to restrain himself all week: A dozen times he wanted to rescue the Lamont girl before she committed herself to the disastrous marriage, but he knew Abrahams would never pay a ransom for a female, unless that female was his lawful wife. A wedding celebrated in front of Edinburgh's leaders of society would obligate him to retrieve a stolen bride at almost any cost.

The banqueting room at Holyrood Palace was hot and overcrowded. Resplendent in violet-colored velvet doublet ablaze with a crest outlined in emeralds, Paris looked a slave to fashion. The lovely young bride, smiling shyly, seemed lost in the vast assemblage of unfamiliar faces. Then she saw him, and her eyes lit in recognition. Her heart fluttered in her breast as he swept her from head to foot with his piercing green eyes. A quick finger to the lips and a negative shake of his head warned her not to speak to him. Anger rose up in her, and a strange desire to deliberately disobey him began to grow, but to her consternation she found that she dare not goad him. Then Lord Lennox was introducing him to Abrahams.

"I am honored by your presence, Your Lordship," Abrahams greeted him smoothly. "My only regret is that we've never done business together. Perhaps now that we have met we can rectify that situation."

Paris lifted his glass and toasted lightly. "To our future dealings." He moved off into the throng so he could study Abrahams. He was small, in his mid-fifties, with a distinctly evil air. The formal black wedding attire made him seem most sallow and sinister. His eyes were hooded and shrewd, and Paris realized he would have to be sharp to come out ahead in any transaction with the man. Then Paris turned his attention to the bride. He caught his breath at the loveliness before him. He cursed himself for never giving her a thought. In the two years since he had seen her, womanhood had blossomed. The curve of her cheek against the cream lace made his heart beat thickly, and the Titian tresses, just the color of his own, sent desire flooding through him. Her round breasts swelled temptingly above the neck of the wedding gown, and as he lifted his eyes from her bosom, he got the full blaze of her amethyst gaze. They looked at each other, her eyes darkened to violet, her lashes lowered and her shoulders drooped. He reluctantly broke his gaze. and made his way over to Venetia, who was holding court of her own. "I'm leaving now. Remember your instructions."

When he climbed in the casement window on the third floor of the mansion on Princes Street, the velvet and jewels were gone. He wore a rough leather jacket with his weapons in his belt. Leather jackboots came halfway up his thighs, and all identifying badges and devices had been removed. He grinned as he realized he had picked his moment well, for the young bride was just being helped to remove the heavy lace wedding-gown. As the motherly maid lifted off the garment, a button caught upon one of Tabby's curls, and the servant clucked and gently untangled her. She stood in exquisitely embroidered pantalets and gasped as a tall figure swung into the chamber. Her maid, Mrs. Hall, stepped protectively between them, ready to do battle for her newfound charge. She was a small, plump woman with gray hair and merry eyes, but they held a fierce challenging light at the moment.

Paris laughed. "Gently, mother. The lady knows me.'

"I know you for a damned rogue," she hissed, and he was pleased that she had remembered his nickname.

Mrs. Hall spoke up. "Ye canna come in here. 'Tis my young mistress's wedding night. Her husband is impatiently awaiting her this-very moment."

Tabby, forgetting her tantalizing state of undress, added, "I thought you would come to see me but not this way. My husband will kill you— perhaps I should let him."

Her words amused him. He laughed until the cords in his neck stood out, brown and strong.

Fear sprang into her eyes. "Hush, keep your voice low!" she begged. "Mrs. Hall, please don't inform on him, he will only stay a moment." She raised liquid eyes to his in supplication. "My lord, your last visit brought me nothing but misery. Please, I beg of you, don't spoil things for me now."

He was dazzled by her youthful loveliness. Never in his life had he wanted a prize more than this one. "Spoil things?" He raised an eyebrow, dark as a raven's wing. "You want this marriage?"

Her eyes glowed. "Of course, 'tis a dream come true. You know how many years I waited to be rescued from that place. I will be grateful to Mr. Abrahams for the rest of my life. He is my savior. Look"— she threw open the wardrobe door—"all these beautiful dresses were made for me. I've been living here for a week, to prepare for the wedding. It has been like heaven. The food! You wouldn't believe the food. I can eat as much as I want— he doesn't mind. I even have my own maid, Mrs. Hall. Mr. Abrahams delivered me from my purgatory. I feel I'm in paradise. He is the most generous man in the world, just like a fa—"

"Stop it," he ordered. "Dammit, he is not your father, wake up!"

Her eyes widened in fear. "Please don't shout, he will come in here."

"With my man's knife at his throat, he is hardly likely to do that. Mrs. Hall, pack her some clothes— one bag only," he cautioned.

"What are you doing?" she gasped in disbelief.

"Kidnapping you." He grinned, and his eyes sparkled.

"You cannot. You wouldn't! Oh, God, not when everything is so perfect." She wrung her hands in distress. He was ignoring her plight. She could see that her words would never sway him from his determined course. Her distress turned to anger at the sheer arrogance of the man. "I shan't go with you! Take yourself out the way you came in," she ordered.

"Will you dress, or will I take you in your underdrawers?" he said, smiling.

She went faint with shock as she realized that she stood arguing with him in a state of undress. Her hands trembled as she tried unsuccessfully to cover her half-exposed breasts from his avid gaze. "You are serious! You monster! Have you seen the beautiful bed I have to sleep in, with silken sheets?" she demanded.