Fortune's Bride

by VICTORIA MALVEY

  Rolling her eyes, Alyssa murmured dryly, "So speaks the voice of experience."

  "Mock me if you wish, but I've read enough stories to know about true love."

  "Darling Calla, those books you read aren't true to life." Alyssa grinned at her sister. "And even if they were, I assure you, Mr. Ian Fortune hardly cuts a romantic figure."

  "Fortune?" Calla whispered, her eyes growing round. "Your Ian's last name is Fortune?"

  This time Alyssa didn't even bother to correct Calla. "Yes," she answered with a sigh, "it is."

  "And the ton calls you—"

  "Fortune's Lady," Alyssa finished for her sister, already seeing the wheels spinning in her head.

  Calla's eyes rounded. "Then it's destiny," she murmured, pressing a hand to her chest.

  "No, it's a sorry coincidence." But from the dreamy look in her sister's eyes, Alyssa knew her denial went unheard. Sighing deeply, she braced herself for more questions about Ian Fortune.

  They weren't long in coming.

  "What does he look like?"

  Sinfully handsome. Alyssa decided her sister was determined enough without knowing that tidbit. "I don't want to—"

  "Tell me, Alyssa!"

  "Dark hair, blue eyes, tall." Crossing her arms, she gave her sister a disgruntled look. "Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

  "Hardly," Calla scoffed. "When you see him, does your stomach get all tingly?"

  Exasperated, Alyssa flung her hands in the air. "Yes, all right? What else do you want to know? Would you like to hear that when he looks at me with laughter in his eyes, I get flustered? Or perhaps you'd like to know about how exciting it is when he challenges me?"

  "Oh, Alyssa," murmured Calla, a smile upon her lips. "How wonderful!"

  "No, it isn't wonderful at all, not one bit of it." Alyssa rubbed at her temple. "Because despite how he makes me feel, I need to stay away from him. He threatens our life, our existence, each and every time he attempts to expose me in public." Sinking down into a chair, Alyssa looked up at Calla. "So, instead of spinning fairy tales about Ian Fortune and me, we'd both be better served if you'd think of ways for me to outwit him."

  "I hadn't thought of his teasing in that light before," Calla admitted as she took a seat as well. "If no one believes in Madam Zora anymore, you'll lose your income."

  "And we'll lose everything we've fought to regain," Alyssa finished soberly. "I don't say this to make you worry, Calla, but you must realize that I can't spend my time daydreaming about Mr. Fortune."

  "No, you can't," she agreed readily. "Indeed, we need to decide the best way for you to outsmart him."

  "That's right." Alyssa shook her ,head at her sister. "Mr. Fortune seems bound and determined to expose me, so we need to anticipate his actions. However, it won't be easy as we don't know what his next move will be."

  Frowning slightly, Calla bit her lower lip. "You're right After all, how will we know what he's planning?"

  "I don't know, but I do know how we can find out." Grinning broadly at her sister, Alyssa deliberately lightened the mood. "I am Madam Zora, so let's consult my crystal ball."

  Calla's laughter warmed Alyssa, making her believe everything would be all right.

  * * *

  Far north, Isaac Meiser knocked at the door of the Porter sisters' little cottage. He'd been unable to sleep, what with worrying about these two young ladies left destitute. With each unanswered knock, his anxiety mounted.

  Walking around the side of the cottage, he rose onto his toes to peer into the tiny window. Cobwebs arched delicately between the sheet-covered furniture. He sank back onto his heels, with a feeling of surprise mixed with dread.

  Where had the girls gone?

  The nerves jangling inside of him settled downward, forming a hard, cold knot in the pic of his stomach. He didn't know what had happened to the girls, but he would find out. There was no way he was going to live with the dire consequences that had obviously befallen them weighing upon his conscience. No, sir. Not one more day.

  And after he found the girls, he would convince the eldest, the charming Alyssa, to marry him. This time he'd make her realize she had no other option but to become Mrs. Isaac Meiser. The thought of having a fine lady as his wife sat well with him.

  Determination filled each step as Meiser headed for town to begin his search.

  * * *

  The Gypsy glowed this evening, Ian realized as he stepped into the Treports' drawing room. Watching her stroll around the floor, entrancing everyone with her tales, Ian leaned against the wall, utterly fascinated by her.

  The moment she caught sight of him, an odd expression of something akin to triumph flashed across her face. Yet, in a blink, it was gone, leaving behind the cool mask of Madam Zora.

  "This evening I have a special revelation for all of you," she announced, each word dripping with importance. "It has been revealed to me through the magic of my crystal bait that one among you has also been gifted with the sight."

  Lady Treport frowned, her brows drawing together. "Sight? Why, I do believe everyone in this room can see perfectly fine."

  "Of course, my lady, but the sight I refer to is the inner eye, the ability to see into a person and uncover all the mysteries of their past, present, and future."

  "Ahhhh," murmured Lady Treport. Leaning forward, she urged, "Do tell us who it is."

  Zora turned her gaze upon Ian. "The seer is none other than Mr. Ian Fortune."

  A bark of laughter escaped him. "I fear you have the wrong man, madam."

  "Come now, Mr. Fortune," Zora cajoled. There is no longer a need to hide your gift." Her eyes sparkled with mischievous glee.

  Well, two could play at this game. "Perhaps we should test these skills you claim I possess," he replied, stepping forward. "After all, it hardly seems tair that these fine ladies and gentlemen should believe this about me if I truly don't possess... a gift."

  "Ah, but you see, Mr. Fortune, I do have the inner sight, so I know if you only welcome your visions and accept your gift, and with proper schooling in the art, then you too will be able to help people."

  Fine side-stepping, Ian thought, but it wasn't going to work. "Still, I would feel better if you would volunteer to be my first... what do you call us? Customers? Victims?"

  Her lips twitched. "I reserve a special name for you, Mr. Fortune."

  "One best left unspoken in polite company, I presume."

  "Precisely."

  Ian couldn't help but laugh at the saucy Gypsy wench. The more he learned about her, it seemed, the more there was to discover. Her keen wit and penchant for secrets intrigued him immensely. "Then we'd both be best served if you would keep your... endearment for me to yourself." Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew her tarot cards, the ones he'd taken that first night and hadn't yet had the right opportunity to return.

  Gasping, Zora pointed to the cards. "Those are mine."

  The accusation in her voice didn't affect the grin upon his face. "Indeed they are."

  "I want them back," she demanded, holding out her hand. "I've been looking for them. Luckily, I had my crystal ball through which to see the future." Taking a step forward, she repeated her demand. "Please give them to me now."

  "Ah, ah, ah." Wagging his finger at her, he walked over to a small table. "Not so fast, madam. First I must read your future ... to practice my gift."

  The disgruntled expression that settled upon her face was priceless. "I am not in the mood for a reading."

  "I fear you shall have to indulge me, for I've been studying the art of tarot cards and simply can no longer fight this need to tell someone's fortune. And, surely, if anyone can understand that urge, it is you," Ian replied cheerfully.

  His Gypsy glared at him, before glancing around, undoubtedly taking note of the fascinated faces eagerly watching them. "Of course I understand the need."

  Though he knew he hadn't left her any other path to take, her response pleased him nonetheless. Holding out the cards in the palm of his
hand, he met her gaze. "You must cut the cards."

  Her hand remained firmly at her side.

  "What's the matter, Madam Zora? Not afraid of hearing your own fortune, are you?" Before giving her a chance to respond, Ian assured her. "There is noth-ing to fear... because I don't possess the ability to see people's futures any more than you do."

  "But you must, Mr. Fortune, if Madam Zora has seen your gifts," protested Lady Covington.

  "All Madam Zora has seen, my lady, is another way to bedevil me and we shall all see proof of that in a moment." Pausing, Ian lifted his brow. "That is, if Madam Zora isn't afraid to have her own fortune read."

  Lifting her chin, she accepted his challenge. "What I fear, Mr. Fortune, is the idea of such immense power in the hands of someone so inept at wielding it. You must have proper training before you can hope to understand your gift."

  "Then who better to ensure I don't misuse my power. As one trained in the art, you could guide me through the intricacies of fortunetelling, could you not?"

  "I'm afraid I don't have the time to teach you."

  Her feeble protest told him volumes. "That's hardly a convincing argument, madam. Besides, if you wish, I would certainly be more than willing to pay you for your time." Deciding it was time to play his trump card, he turned toward the group of people watching them in rapt fascination. "Does anyone here want me to read Madam Zora's future?"

  As a loud cheer rang out through the room, his Gypsy lady narrowed her eyes upon him, until Ian was quite certain that if she indeed possessed any powers, he would be struck dead in that instant.

  He widened his grin in response. "Come now, Madam Zora," he murmured, nudging his hand toward her once more. "Take a chance on fate."

  With murder in her gaze, she lifted her hand and cut the cards.

  5

  Separating the cards into three piles, Alyssa kept her gaze upon His Royal Arrogantness while she shuffled each group before stacking them back together. Automatically, she repeated this ritual three times, careful to use her left hand to separate and stack.

  "Why are you only using your left handr

  She answered confidently, not allowing an ounce of her nervousness to show. "It is part of the ritual as my left hand is closest to my heart."

  "Ah," Ian murmured. "A little trick of the trade, ehr

  Alyssa answered that comment with a pointed look.

  Once she finished, she handed the deck back to Ian. "I am ready to hear my future," she murmured softly.

  Lifting one brow, he sat down at her table and began to deal the cards in a straight line.

  Looking down at the table, Alyssa asked, "What are you doing?'

  "Telling your fortune," he replied, pausing for a moment before setting out the sixth card.

  "Not like that you aren't." She couldn't keep her lips from twitching. "If you wish to read my destiny, perhaps you should use proper placement of the cards."

  Ian didn't falter. Instead, he picked up her cue and responded, "This is the proper way to tell your future."

  "I think not. First you need to form a cross with the cards, then lay four of them around the cross, one card at the end of each point. Then you need to—"

  "I thought the Gypsies were a people ruled by emotion rather than structure."

  "We are, but—"

  "Then wouldn't you say it is far more important for me to place the cards as they feel right, rather than in a pattern someone has told me to use?"

  Caught, spit, and hung to dry, Alyssa knew Ian had outmaneuvered her. "I suppose it is," she conceded ruefully.

  "Very well, then." Setting down the remaining cards, he waved his hand toward the empty chair opposite him. "If you would be so kind as to take your seat, we can glimpse into your future."

  Glancing around the room, Alyssa nearly groaned at the avid gazes fixed upon her. Her plan had completely backfired. Instead of shifting focus onto Ian and keeping him far too busy with requests for predic-tions to pester her, she now found herself fending off not only the attention of the ton, but also Ian's bold taunts.

  Well, she was certainly up to the challenge. Smoothing her brilliantly colored skirts, she lowered herself into the chair, more than ready to match wits with him.

  After flexing his fingers, Ian turned over the first card. "Ah, the Six of Cups."

  "What does it mean?" whispered Lady Burke as she leaned forward to peer at the card.

  Closing his eyes, Ian pressed the card to his forehead. Alyssa almost burst into laughter at the ridiculous action. The Six of Cups foretells of Madam Zora's generosity," Ian pronounced in a clear voice as he lowered the card and returned his gaze to her.

  "I beg to differ, Mr. Fortune," Alyssa said dryly as she ran her fingers over the ornate card. Surrounded by the scrolled border was an image of a page presenting flowers to a child. "This card means that events in my past are affecting my present and future."

  Lifting a brow, Ian met her gaze. "While that is true, I am referring to your generosity in sharing your gifts with all of us." Ian's expression grew somber. "And this image tells of how your past actions affect not only your present and future, but those who believe in you as well."

  It wasn't difficult to catch his meaning. Nodding, she waved him on. The sooner he finished this mockery the sooner she could return home. "Very true," she murmured softly. "Please continue."

  His eyes gleamed as he nodded once, then flipped over the next card. The image of a man laying face down upon a blood-red floor was disturbing enough. The ten swords sticking out of his back gave even Alyssa pause.

  "Oh, my," murmured Ian. "That can't be good"

  Swallowing her instinctive dismay, Alyssa tried to keep her voice level as she explained, "The Ten of Swords represents trouble and suffering in the person's life."

  All teasing slipped from his gaze as he reached out to touch his fingertips to the back of her hand. "Are you in trouble? Is that why you've resorted to doing this?"

  Aware of the multitude of gazes upon her, Alyssa forced an expression of disdain onto her race, falling back upon the pretense of Madam Zora to steady her now shaky nerves. "I have not resorted to anything, Mr. Fortune. My destiny has chosen me. And as to being in trouble..." Pausing, Alyssa shrugged lightly. "Even if I were, I would simply place a curse upon the person causing me trouble and make him suffer."

  "Ahhhh." His grin had a decidedly wicked tilt to it. "Then I'd best be wary around the all-powerful Madam Zora."

  "Indeed," she agreed with a pert nod.

  Laughing aloud, Ian looked over at their captivated audience. "Should I stop now in fear of a curse or should I continue?"

  "Keep on reading the Gypsy's future!"

  "Get on with it, man."

  "Don't keep us in suspense."

  The urge to roll her eyes at the encouraging calls from the audience nearly overwhelmed her, but Alyssa managed to still the action.

  "You heard them, Madam Zora, so onward we go," Ian said, as he turned over the third card. "The Magician."

  Reaching out, she tapped her finger on the card. "Here is the proof that I am what I say—a gifted fortuneteller."

  "Excuse me, but I'm the one telling the fortune here," Ian asserted, sliding the card out from beneath her touch. Tilting his head to the side, he murmured, "And I believe you've completely misread this card. Through no fault of your own, naturally."

  "Then how do you explain away that card?" she asked, seeing a perfect opening to convince everyone of her abilities.

  "I don't." Ian shook his head. "Don't misunderstand me, Madam Zora. I fully believe that you are a talented magician, well versed in sleight of hand and other tricks meant to foot the senses."

  Feeling the mood of the crowd shift from excitement to wariness, she dismissed his assertion. "It is obvious you are unskilled in reading the cards."

  "Yes, but might I remind you, I wasn't the one who claimed I could."

  There was that sticking point again. Well, she'd backed herself into this corner
and it was up to her to get out of it. "Now that I think upon it, my vision was cloudy. It came upon me in the early morning hours, so perhaps sleep still clouded my senses and I misread the signs."

  "Finally, you begin to make sense," Ian mocked, the softness in his smile taking the sting out of the words.

  "I always make sense," she muttered under her breath, feeling a bit annoyed at her plan having been thoroughly thwarted. Clearing her throat, she moved to rise from her chair. "Since we both agree, I see no reason to continue with this pitiful reading."

  "Well, I think we should continue. I'm finding this most amusing," he protested.

  "So happy to be of service."

  "Come now, Madam Zora, surely you aren't without good humor. I would expect you to find amusement in my feeble attempts to tell your fortune."

  "Oh, do let him continue," urged Lady Covington. "This is quite entertaining."

  Left with no choice but to give in gracefully, Alyssa held back her sigh and nodded. "Very well then, Mr. Fortune. Please proceed."

  Without further urging, he flipped over the next card. "The Queen of Wands. With her beautiful gift of flowers, she obviously stands for love." The fifth card revealed a picture of two people facing each other with their palms touching. "The Four of Wands. This card stands for—"

  "Romance," Alyssa whispered, trying to ignore the jolt inside of her. She didn't believe in tarot cards, she reminded herself forcefully. However, the last card Ian turned over made her question her cer-tainty.

  The Lovers.

  "How very interesting," Ian drawled, tracing the outline of two naked figures—one male, one female— reaching out toward each other with an angel's hands guiding them together.

  The sight of Ian touching the card made her insides tingle with unbidden urges.

  "It would appear, Madam Zora, that you are about to meet the one man who completes you..." Pausing, Ian reached to clasp her trembling hand within his firm one. "And then you will become lovers."

  His voice rang with conviction as his prediction created longings within her that would better suit a young lady with marriage prospects than a penniless girl pretending to be a Gypsy. Closing her eyes, she broke off Ian's intense gaze, only to see vivid images behind her eyelids—visions of Ian kissing her, touching her, holding her.