Wild Hearts (24 page)

She cleared her throat. "At seventeen years of age, I've just discovered I am a Cockburn, and must admit it has some advantages. However, like all the Cockburns, you take the greatest pleasure in issuing your orders every time you speak. Now, if we are to have any sort of relationship without constantly being at each other's throats, you'd better stop your demands and listen to a few of mine," she told him firmly, sounding much more confident than she felt.. She knew she must gain some sort of control from the very beginning, or she would never be able to call her life her own.

Magnus solemnly held up his hand. "No more orders, lassie, I swear it to ye."

"Good. From now on I want a say in everything that affects my life. I don't want other people making my decisions for me." Magnus waved his hand. "Done, done! Say no more. Pack yer things and we'll be off home where you belong, until we find a decent husband for you."

Tabrizia rolled her eyes to the ceiling and shouted, "God give me patience! You've just sworn you'd give me no more orders and in the very next breath you're at it again. In the first place, I have no clothes to pack. I don't have a stitch to my back. I am-naked. As well as clothes, I wish to have a pistol of my own. I swore a vow never to go undefended again, and I want the gun today." Her eyes, clouded. "I already have a husband, although not a decent one, I'm sorry to say."

He patted her knee gently. "Ye've been a widow for hours, lass. A rich widow, I might add, and I've the legal will to prove it."

Her hand flew to her throat. "Maxwell Abrahams is dead? My God, how?"

"House burned to the ground." Magnus waved his arm in dismissal.

"No... oh, no! Dear God, what have I done?" She thought she would faint but hung on to consciousness desperately. "I set fire to the house and killed him," she whispered, horrified.

Magnus frowned. He could see she was devastated at the thought of what she had done. He could clearly see that her nature could not bear up under the weight of the deed she thought she had committed. "My oath that you had nothing to do with Abrahams's death. He died by my hand, but I swear to you it was in self-defense. He threw a knife at my back that only missed my heart because of the protective mail I wore."

Tabrizia shuddered and closed her eyes.

"You're a sensible lass and must realize you're well rid of that bit of trash. How fortunate that ye were visiting yer father when the tragic fire struck," he emphasized.

She remembered how much she had wanted Abrahams dead a few hours back, and how, if she had had a weapon, she would have done the deed herself. She nodded. "I am well rid of him, and I owe you a debt of gratitude. But just as I am rid of one husband, you would wed me to another. I cannot stomach such a thing."

"Listen to me carefully. I am going to get you legitimized, so you will get that portion of my estate that legally goes to my children. Also, tomorrow I will put your husband's legal will in probate. You will be a wealthy young woman, able to pick and choose your next husband from the highest in the land."

"You will leave me part of your estate that was to go to Paris Cockburn?" she questioned.

"Aye, but the young rogue will still get the title and Castle Tantallon." He looked into her veiled eyes. "Tell me true, what is between you and Paris? We must guard your reputation like the crown jewels. Once a lass gets a bad reputation, it clings like the stink on a dead man."

"There is nothing between us, save betrayal and hatred," she flared.

"Softly, softly. I have to be sure there's no dalliance going on with a married man. I know a woman finds the dangerous ones more attractive than other men."

Tabrizia and her father talked for two more hours. They discussed and argued and finally compromised on many pressing matters and agreed to discuss everything that came up that would have an effect on her life as his daughter. It was decided that Tabrizia could stay in Edinburgh at the town house for the time being, until she was furbished with a new wardrobe and until the legal papers were filed satisfactorily. Magnus, against his better judgment, gave her a pair of his smaller pistols along with an interminable lesson on how to clean, load and handle them with care. He agreed to ride to Cockburnspath to fetch her precious Mrs. Hall, and when he returned, Tabrizia was elated that he had also brought Alexandria with him for a visit. She knew he had only done it because he thought it proper for her to have another female with her, but on such a small point, she decided not to argue.

The images of the next fortnight merged into a wondrous blur of activity for Tabrizia. The most expensive dressmaker in Edinburgh was brought to the town house to provide her with a magnificent new wardrobe. A large chamber, along with the boudoir and dressing room, was completely stripped and refurnished with the very best that money could buy. Magnus gave her an allowance, and Tabrizia and Alexandria turned the shops of Edinburgh upside down in a mad dash of extravagance through jewelers, milliners, modistes and furrier shops. In the evenings, Magnus escorted them to the theaters and plays that were part of the city's rich array of entertainment, causing no little stir among the leaders of society: If any thought it outrageous that one so newly widowed was enjoying such a full social life, none was so foolish as to let it reach the ears of the Earl of Ormistan, who so obviously doted on his newfound daughter. After all, the girl was swathed in black, even though that black was a new sable cloak.

After the theater and a late supper one night, Tabrizia and Alexandria sat in bed and talked until the fingers of the dawn stole across the sky.

"How did you ever get permission to come and stay in Edinburgh?" asked Tabrizia.

"I didn't. Paris has not been fit company for the family since you left. He dines with his own men in their hall, drinking deep, which turns his temper murderous. Even the servants aren't fool enough to come within arm's reach. So I left him a message that I was going to Tantallon."

Tabrizia shuddered. "I don't wish to hear about your brother. What of the girls?"

"Venetia's betrothed to David Lennox, and the wedding is to be very soon. Naturally, Damascus is mad as fire because she isn't first, and I believe Shannon's on the verge of accepting a proposal from Lord Logan just so she won't be outdone."

"Shannon is foolish. Logie is a nice enough man, but she could do so much better. I don't think there's a more attractive woman in Scotland," concluded Tabrizia sincerely.

It didn't take long for father and daughter to have their first battle of wills. One morning at breakfast, she brought up the subject of business. "My education in financial matters has been woefully neglected; and since you have a reputation for being such an astute businessman, I think a few lessons might be in order."

"Whist, lass, no need to trouble yer pretty head about such nonsense," said Magnus as if he were speaking to a five-year-old.

She told him frostily, "I thought you told me I was about to become a wealthy woman. I shall need to know how to run my financial affairs."

"Ye will not! Not until yer twenty-one and of legal age. I am your legal guardian and will take care of all your financial affairs."

Hands on hips, giving full vent to her temper, she cried, "What? You old hypocrite! You swore to me I would have a say in everything that affected my life. Now you're telling me I've four more years to wait until I can make my own decisions?" She was outraged.

"Stop acting like a man! What will people think?"

"I'm not acting like a man. I'm acting like a Cockburn, and I don't give a damn what people think. Besides, I don't want that old swine's money; it's tainted."

"I'll hear none of that foolishness, girl!" he ordered. "If you don't use it for yourself, put it aside for your children. Look after you and yours, for no one else will," he admonished.

"When you put It that way, it makes sense." She threw down her napkin and came around the table to him "You see how I need your guidance? There are so many things I want to do. For instance, the land that the burned house sits on must be worth something. I'd like to sell it and give the money to the orphanage to make it a better place for the children who have to live there."

"Hmmph, I can see y'er serious about these financial affairs, but ye don't seem to grasp the scope of yer wealth. Abrahams's vault at the bank was filled with deeds to scores of pieces of land and castles he's given out money on. He, and now you, own mortgages from half of the landowners in Scotland.''

"I'd like to see these papers," she declared, showing a keen interest.

Magnus stood up and took a turn about the dining room. He came to a halt before her. "What you need is a secretary, a man of business with a head on his shoulders for figures. I'll get Stephen Galbraith to go over all these things with you. What do you say?"

"It Sounds like a wonderful idea to have a man of business, until I learn enough to handle my own affairs, of course." She added stubbornly, "Who is Stephen Galbraith?"

"He is a nephew of mine. My wife, the countess, was a Galbraith. Stephen's mother and my wife were sisters. His mother, Katherine, is Mistress of the Bedchamber to the Queen...She accompanied her to England. I'll invite him to dinner, and then if you think you can get along with him, I'll hire him for your secretary."

Tabrizia had grave reservations about meeting another of Magnus's nephews but was pleasantly surprised, at the gentle manners of Stephen Galbraith. He was a handsome man with fair hair and aquamarine eyes that sparkled with what seemed some inner amusement. He looked to be in his early twenties. He was well muscled, his body bearing an easy grace. There was a marked difference between this man and the Cockburns. Where they had an untamed, rough, sometimes menacing quality, this young man was cultured, polished and obviously a gentleman.

Magnus's voice boomed his welcome as he drew Tabrizia forward for the introduction. "This is my daughter, Stephen. Rumor has likely flown before her, and you know all about her."

"For once rumor did not exaggerate." He kissed her hand. "You are wondrous fair, cousin."

"Thank you, Stephen. Has my father told you that I need a man of business, not only to help me in financial matters, but also to complete my education and teach me about business matters so that I am better able to make decisions for myself?"

Stephen bowed to her. "He has indeed, and I am most willing to do what I can for a couple of months. Unfortunately, at that time I'm going to the King's Court in England, My mother has secured a place for me in the Queen's household." He grinned an apology. "I am led to believe great fortunes are to be made in England at the moment, by canny Scots."

"And do you need to make your fortune, sir?" asked Tabrizia.

"Indeed I do. I am only a poor second son. When my father died a few years back, the debts were crippling. That is why my mother took a-post with the Queen."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry into your business."

Stephen smiled. "Not at all, I have no secrets."

She found she liked him more each day, enjoying both his openness and his manners. He treated her like a woman of intelligence, and she was flattered. Tabrizia could clearly see that Stephen had begun to court her. She enjoyed the light flirtation in which she had never had a chance to indulge before. They were often thrown together, going over hundreds of papers that had belonged to Abrahams, and consequently a friendship began to emerge and deepen.

"Stephen, my father tells me I have no legal rights until I am twenty-one. He is my legal guardian for at least four more years."

"That is correct," he said carefully.

"What I thought I might like to do is set up my own residence. I do not really fancy living at Tantallon under my father's thumb. I would rather be independent, but I know he wouldn't hear of such a thing. He wouldn't even let me stay in Edinburgh without Alexandria as companion. So you are telling me he can prevent me from making my own decisions for at least four years?"

"He is your guardian until you are twenty-one..." He paused for effect, then went on carefully, "Or until you marry."

Her eyes widened. "If I married, Magnus would not be my legal guardian anymore? Oh, but then of course my husband would run my financial affairs."

"Not necessarily," Stephen pointed out. "When there is a fortune involved, it is common practice and common sense also to have a premarital contract drawn up, setting out the terms of the agreement exactly. After all, marriage is a partnership, and the benefits and responsibilities of both partners should be legally set down on paper so that your husband would not be able to take advantage of you."

"I see," said Tabrizia slowly.

"Now that I know you seek a husband who will allow you a great deal of freedom, may I add my name to your list of suitors?" he asked lightly.

"You may." She nodded and laughed prettily. "I'll tell you a secret. You are the only man I know of whom I'm not afraid."

His eyes sparkled. "Borderers are a breed apart. They are filled with a swaggering braggadocio. They live at the top of their voices; every last one so hot-spurred, they would rather fight than eat! He watched her carefully to gauge the effect his words had upon her. "They do everything to excess— cursing, drinking, wenching killing. Their women have a pitiful time of it. I know, I watched my mother age with every raid my father made. Oh, sometimes he would ride in, triumphantly flushed with victory and presents, but mostly it was ugly wounds he brought her to tend. Inevitably, he was brought home feet-first one day."