Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny)

by K. Young

  "Fine, Derrick. I don't have time for this, now let me pass." She insisted.

  He chuckled, but had to wonder at her anger. Was she late to meet someone, or was it simply that he was delaying her? There was nothing in her eyes to suggest that she wanted to be with a lover, but there was something, he just couldn't place it.

  "Well then, I shall speak quickly so as not to keep your lover waiting." He added, just to see her reaction.

  Kristen wrinkled her brow, wondering what the devil he was talking about, but gave nothing else away. Derrick was somewhat disappointed, not able to tell one way or the other if she was meeting a lover as he reaction could go either way.

  "If you win, your freedom is your own. If I win, you agree to become my mistress." He stated baldly.

  Kristen gasped at his nerve and impropriety. She decided that whatever childish fantasies she harbored for this man were now tamped down in disgust...mostly, anyway. The very suggestion that she, a lady of breeding, should be any man's mistress was just as vile as marrying her stepfather. Were all men truly this despicable? Not to mention the fact that if he wanted her, he could have had her when she presented the marriage contract to him. The only thing she could work out in her head was that he wanted his freedom to gallivant about with other women.

  "I will not agree to those terms, you disgusting lecher. If you wanted me so badly, you should have agreed to the betrothal." She huffed.

  Derrick was somewhat surprised by her response, but quickly realized he shouldn't be. Whatever circumstances had brought her to this cave, it wasn't to meet a lover. She was an innocent, and he had just offended her. A soft smile played at his lips. A hungry possession played at his nerves. He was determined to possess her, by any means necessary.

  “Either those terms, or we shall see how well you fare with seven of my men to just yourself.”

  “Have you no decency?!” She fairly screeched at him, tears shining in her eyes. This whole ordeal was becoming much more than she could bear.

  Seeing her so close to tears, yet fighting them off, caused a sensation in Derrick's chest he couldn't recall ever feeling before. Not sure what the sensation meant, but becoming angry with himself for putting her through such an ordeal, he decided it was best to direct his anger at her.

  “Hardly, madam.”

  Kristen's small hope of him being a gentleman dashed, she thought quickly. If she agreed to this ridiculous wager and won, she would never have to see him again and her freedom would be her own. If she lost, she would have to become his mistress. Either scenario lead her away from her stepfather, so perhaps it was worth considering. Even as a mistress, she could buy a husband when the time came.

  Honestly, she didn't care for that scenario at all, it being just as disgusting as her stepfather's proposal. And, despite her body's reaction to Derrick, she hated him for what he was putting her through. What's worse, she could actually lose to him. But, even if she didn't agree, her chances were slim against seven men, especially after all of the energy she had expended thus far. It was better to fight one man and at least attempt to gain her freedom.

  “I accept.” She whispered in fear.

  “What was that?” He demanded coldly, not seriously wanting to fight her, but knowing she would be going for blood.

  “I accept.” She said more loudly and raised her head to meet his gaze.

  He could see the loathing in her eyes, and again he wondered if he'd just made a terrible mistake.

  “Good. I have only one condition before we begin.”

  “And that would be?” She asked uneasily.

  “No knife, m'dear. I don't want one as I'd prefer not to mar your beautiful skin with a jagged edge; however, I do want a fair fight.”

  “This is hardly a fair fight.”

  He merely shrugged, so she did the same. “Fine, agreed.” She set the knife to the side, then turned to face him. She lifted the edge of her skirts to tuck them inside her belt, giving herself some leg room.

  Derrick was momentarily mesmerized by the look of her trim ankles and the lust he'd been battling all night came raging to the forefront. He stepped toward her, merely to kiss her, but she interpreted it as aggression. She hissed and swung a punch that landed solidly across his jaw. He took several steps back from her in stunned silence, and became a little uneasy as he saw her crouch, preparing to attack again. She could rival many of the men on his crew and those he'd faced in other countries. Men trained for combat and to kill, yet she put them to shame with her graceful movements.

  Kristen was anxious to get out of the caves before any more damage was done. As she looked around to figure out her next move, she noticed a large crate to her right and darted toward it as a thought came to mind. As anticipated, Derrick moved with her, only to be struck in the face with her descending foot as she ran up the side of the crate and spun her body around, bringing her foot down. She landed a foot or so away from Derrick. He snaked his arm out from under himself and grabbed her ankle, then turned his body over and spun out his leg, hitting her legs and knocking her to the ground. He immediately grabbed her wrists and straddled her to keep her from getting up.

  “Well, I must say I expected more from you, Kristen. Nevertheless, a deal's a deal, so how 'bout a kiss to seal the bargain?”

  As he leaned in for the kiss, Kristen slammed her head into his, causing him to release her wrists and lean back just enough where she could wrap one leg around his neck and the other to kick him off of her. She quickly scrambled behind him and held him in a choke hold.

  “I gather you didn't expect that, Lord Shane. But, it seems I've won and as such, I'll be leaving. I think you are a disgusting pig and I hope never to see you again, so since I can't have you following me...”

  She reached for the nearest object to her. Grasping it firmly in her hand, she hit him over the head with the heavy object, a vase as she glanced at it, knocking him unconscious and shattering the vase to pieces around them. Letting him go, she got to her feet and backed away from him. Keeping a wide berth between herself and Derrick, just in case he was faking it, Kristen went back to retrieve her dagger. Getting too close was out of the question, it was how people got themselves trapped.

  She looked around the cave. Boxes were smashed where heavy bodies had collided into them, the silks were strewn about, and many of the other goods were smashed to bits. She noted that two of the three men she had fought before were still unconscious, but the other had left the cave, presumably to have his wound tended. That meant others would be coming soon and it was best she wasn't there when they arrived. She looked at Derrick again and felt a slight twinge of guilt.

  It was actually odd, her emotions playing havoc with her mind. She had liked him immensely until he suggested she be his mistress, and even then she felt all tingly. If she were honest with herself, she might realize she didn't mind being that close to this particular man.

  But, she had her own agenda and had to ensure her safety. He had chosen not to move forward with the betrothal, so she didn't think he would fit into her plans.

  He was no longer for her. She left the cave as quickly as she could, not sparing another glance back, but knowing the man would never be far from her thoughts.

  Chapter 6

  Kristen paced in front of Meloney Atchkinson's parlor window. She had arrived so early that morning that the maids had to be roused in order to prepare a room for her. She felt horrible for the trouble, but she didn't have anywhere else to go just then, and she was desperate, exhausted, and looked terrible to boot. Meloney's butler, Chester, clucked his tongue disapprovingly, quite freely telling her of the hour. She had been in no mood, and had promptly told him to prepare her room and save his sermons for someone who gave a damn.

  He had puffed up his chest at that, and she immediately wished she could take it back. It wasn't his fault that she was going through this, but Kristen hadn't slept in several days, anxious to find a way out of the mess she was in. Her one and only hope at an easy sol
ution turned out to be an awful cad, and now she was back at square one, needing a husband and having no idea where to begin with such a task. Not to mention the fact that she was worried someone was trying to kill her based on several seeming attempts on her life recently. Another reason she had been so short on temper lately. At any rate, she would certainly have to apologize to the old butler for she had no call to be that way with him.

  It seemed she would be handing out several such apologies that day because she had also demanded that Meloney be awakened with all due haste. She regretted the hour being so early, but she had to be assured of Meloney's assistance before she could do anything. After the events of the previous night, Kristen's time was running out and she had to settle her future quickly. As she continued her pacing, Kristen caught a glimpse of herself in one of the window panes. She gasped at the sight and swore bloody vengeance on Derrick if she ever so much as laid eyes on him again.

  She looked like hell twice over, and really, having spent the last two weeks there, she should rightly look it.

  Unfortunately, Meloney's servants wouldn't know her troubles and were likely to talk something fierce, which meant that just about everyone in London was going to know she turned up on Meloney's doorstep looking battered and roughed up, at an ungodly hour. With Meloney's husband out of town, it probably wouldn't look good for Meloney, either. Kristen sighed because if she didn't relieve the pent up emotions, she might just burst into tears.

  When Kristen concocted this hare-brained scheme of running away from home and proposing marriage to someone, she didn't think about what it could do to Meloney's reputation. Not to mention, if Kristen's life were in danger, then Meloney's might be, as well. The thought of something happening to Meloney because of her gave Kristen pause, and she bit her lip as she thought more about what she was asking her friend to do. Perhaps the safer option would have been to be Derrick's mistress. But, that thought only angered her further, so she pushed it out of her mind.

  She was so involved in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps in the hallway, nor did she hear anyone enter the room.

  “Kristen, what's the matter?” Meloney asked, sleep still heavy in her voice.

  Kristen started at the sound of Meloney's voice and turned to her, running when she finally saw her. The tears she had been fighting all night could no longer be denied and they fell profusely over her bruised face. Getting a good look at her in the light, Chester had the grace to look ashen and contrite in his earlier treatment of her, so he began backing out of the room before his presence became a source of irritation for the lady again.

  Meloney saw her friend's face and gasped, horror and concern competing for dominance in her features. She held her crying friend and walked her to the couch, then immediately ordered Chester to her bidding before he could leave the room while she gently patted Kristen's back.

  “Chester, we're going to have an early morning. Please wake Mrs. Sterling and have her prepare breakfast ”

  “No, Meloney, please do not disturb your household any further on my account.” Kristen pleaded miserably.

  “Posh! My household thrives on being disturbed. Nothing they like more. Now, as I was saying, have Mrs. Sterling bring me a wrapped slab of cold meat when she brings in the tea. Be sure she brings both straight away; by the looks of it we'll need the tea to fortify us. Kristen love, your face is going to bruise something terrible. Have Kristen's normal room prepared properly and a bath taken up to be ready when she goes upstairs. Tell Nelly to get two or three of my dresses out for Kristen's use and prepare an appointment with my seamstress as soon as the hour turns decent. Also, bring me the witch hazel and some cotton swabs. Thank you Chester, that will be all for now.” She waved her hand to dismiss him.

  “Wait!” Kristen cried.

  Both Chester and Meloney looked at Kristen. Chester was wary, but Meloney was merely curious, not yet aware of what had transpired between them earlier. Kristen jumped up from the sofa and walked quickly to the dear butler. She took his hands in hers and smiled as best she could with her face now swollen to twice its normal size.

  “Chester, I'm truly sorry for my behavior this morning. I had no right to be so rude.” She said, keeping eye contact so that he knew she was sincere.

  “Lady Kristen, please do not fash yourself. I was merely surprised at the hour and should most assuredly apologize to you for lecturing when it is not my place. I do assure you that it won't happen again.” He pulled his hands from her grasp and gave a formal bow, but Kristen wasn't mollified.

  As soon as he rose from his bow, Kristen embraced him with a hug and then kissed his cheek. “Chester, you're a dear, dear man. Please, never change.” She smiled warmly and then returned to her seat on the sofa with Meloney.

  Chester rubbed his cheek and smiled fondly. He had always enjoyed having Lady Kristen visit for she was a warm girl. A little odd, but always very pleasant. He had been surprised by her abrasiveness this morning, but he quite forgot about it as soon as he saw her face. The poor girl had probably been through hell and back and here he was lecturing her about the time when she was in need of their help. And then, to have her apologize to him? He felt very much like a pompous ass.

  “Very good, m'ladies. I'll just leave you to your conversation.” He bowed out of the room and went to do his bidding. After he left, Kristen returned her attention to Meloney. She didn't know why, but she was quite nervous. Perhaps because her future hung precariously in the balance?

  “Thank you for your kindness, but I do not wish to trouble you Mel.” She said, using her childhood nickname for her dearest friend.

  “Nonsense, love. You're never a trouble. You're my best friend and as such, you're welcome at any hour, any time, regardless of what Chester says.” She added the last bit in a teasing manner, trying to entice a smile from Kristen. It worked. “Now then, since we have you smiling a bit, what the bloody hell is going on?”

  Mel was a no nonsense kind of woman. She spoke her mind and didn't give a fig for what anyone thought. Kristen could remember getting into many a scuffle because Mel had said the wrong thing to the wrong person in their younger days. They both seemed to think it adventurous at the time. Kristen's mother had taught her how to fight and defend herself when she was younger, to protect her from her mother's past she had said at the time, and it was something Kristen practiced constantly. She had relished the opportunity to wipe the floor with someone who had taken offense to whatever Mel had said, and it was how they had come to be friends. They were at school together, and Mel was being picked on by a group of three girls who didn't like the way Mel had said some word. Kristen had stepped in and punched the lot of them. They had been inseparable ever since.

  Growing up, Kristen never had any serious beaus. They were all too afraid she would beat them if they crossed her the wrong way, but that suited Kristen just fine. She had seen what men could be like and didn't have an interest in settling down. She didn't want to end up in a marriage she abhorred as her mother had. Mel, on the other hand, didn't have a problem in this area, save her mouth that got her into trouble with men later. But, she had learned to curb her directness a little by her first season out and had been considered the reigning debutante that year. Kristen had been in Italy with her mother at the time, having told her mother she had no desire to be a debutante, but instead wished to travel Europe before having to settle down.

  Meloney was married off that first year, and it was a love match according to her. It wasn't a wonder that Guy Atchkinson fell head over heels in love with Mel. She had long black hair, which she usually wore down instead of the current fashion which was to wear it up, that was straight and glossy. Her eyes were of a cobalt blue and they sparkled with such mischief, you couldn't help but to smile. She had skin of peaches and cream with the most adorable freckles across her cheeks and nose; it was a wonder the whole of London wasn't head over heels in love with her. Her outrageous fashion and charm had won many a man over that season, but the dis
reputable rake, Guy Atchkinson had won her over completely.

  Kristen thought their story was rather romantic. It was the fairy tale every girl secretly dreamed of, whether she realized it or not. A former rake was the best husband to have because they reformed for love. Every woman wanted to have a man change their ways for her, to prove she was the most worthy goal in his life. Nice guys are well and good, but women want a man they've tamed themselves. But, with Mel and Guy, Kristen was genuinely glad they had found each other. Mel's no-nonsense attitude was rather abrasive to most men, and Mel had admitted to fears of being alone forever because of it. To Guy, she was the perfect woman, and he loved her for her frankness.

  Mel tried to explain the feelings that Guy evoked in her, but Kristen had never felt that way before and couldn't understand the power they could hold over a person. After meeting Derrick Shane face-to-face, she most certainly understood them now, however much she wished she didn't. The man was positively infuriating, and she was still smarting over his obscene request that she become his mistress. But, it was better to put thoughts of him from her mind and get on with the business of finding a husband.

  "Mel, it is a long story and I need some help, but I fear asking you to get involved." Kristen said at last.

  "Then let me save you the trouble, I'm quite involved. Now, get on with the story, if you please."

  Kristen smiled. That was simply Mel's way. No matter what Kristen said or did, Mel was there to help. But, it did ease Kristen's mind tremendously that she was willing to help.

  "You're a dear friend, and I thank you for your willingness to help, but it would be best if you heard the whole story first, and then made your decision. You have your own family to look after now."

  "Posh! You're just as much a part of my family as Guy, and he would understand besides. Now, do tell me what is going on dearest. You have me a little worried."

  “This whole ordeal is absolutely horrible. You would not believe the troubles I've had in the last two weeks.” Kristen stopped as the parlor door opened.