Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny)

by K. Young

  “That was still no reason to oust a member of the family. What sort of scandals was he creating?”

  “All kinds. Purposely getting himself caught with a cheating wife so that he could lay her reputation to ruins, starting a fight in the middle of a ball just because he was bored, there was that time at the races that he hit some chap for running his mouth off about our Charlie. Things like that.”

  “What did the fellow say about Charlie?” She asked.

  Derrick stiffened and pulled away from her. He wasn't sure he was ready for her reaction to that part of his family secret.

  “We should go upstairs. We will be approaching the island “

  “Derrick, you are hedging.”

  “I do not hedge, m'dear.” He said stiffly.

  “What is the big deal? What did the chap say?”

  Derrick took a deep breath. “He said something about Charlie's preferences.”

  Kristen lifted a brow. She had heard the rumor of Charlie having a predilection for men, had even told the Lady Cecilia to mind her own business, but since the family hadn't denounced him, she assumed it wasn't true and someone was just trying to start something that wasn't there.

  “So let me get this straight. Scott denounced Tristan for starting a fight, but Charlie likes men, and everyone knows about it, but he is allowed to stay in the family?” She asked.

  Derrick nodded, holding his breath. He expected her to recoil in disgust or hate.

  “Well, no offense, but it seems to me Scott is a bloody idiot.” She said.

  Derrick said nothing. He only looked at her.

  “Derrick, what's the matter? You look quite pale.”

  “Yes, I suppose Scott is a bit on the idiotic side. Do you propose we kick Charlie out, then?” He asked defensively, his chest constricting in pain at the expected rejection.

  “Certainly not. He can't help who he likes no more than anyone else can. But, neither do I think Tristan should have been ousted over a trifle like that.”

  The relief that washed over Derrick made his head swim, and for a moment he thought he would collapse. She wasn't repulsed by Charlie, in fact, she accepted him and wouldn't scorn him. She must have noticed his change because she frowned.

  “Forgive me, m'dear, but there haven't been many women involved with my family that have been able to accept Charlie as it is a stigma that will follow them should it come out. We've all been hurt in some way over it.”

  “Well, those women aren't worth a moment's thought, then.” She said simply and laid her hand on his cheek

  Derrick turned his head and kissed the inside of her hand. "Come, we should be upon the port now." He smiled warmly and led her out of the cabin.

  Kristen followed, still a little bemused why any woman would turn one of the Shane men away just because of Charlie. It didn't make sense to her, but she certainly understood why Derrick had previously been so opposed to marriage. It made her heart ache to know that she could change Derrick's mind about marriage if not for her situation. Regardless of how she felt about Derrick, she wouldn't put his life in danger. She wouldn't put his family through the pain of losing him.

  ***

  Back in England, Mel wasn't faring quite as well as her friend. Alice had tied her up and hung her upside down, and Mel was in that position for almost two day before Alice took her down. When Mel did come down, she didn't feel so good. All of her blood had gone to her head, and to have it rush back to her outer limbs had them tingling like thousands of needles were poking her. Also, Mel felt extremely light-headed. Since Alice hadn't bothered to feed Mel or giver her water, she was dreadfully worried about the baby.

  After nearly two days of hanging, Alice took Mel down and tied her to a chair. She would have left her longer, but Alice didn't have much time. She needed to find Kristen before Adrian came for her, so she hoped that two days upside down was enough to make Mel talk. But, when Alice got a look at Mel, she wondered if Mel had a medical condition because she didn't look so good.

  "Are you alright?" Alice asked, frowning.

  "No, I'm not alright, you bloody twit. I'm pregnant, and you had me hanging upside down for two days."

  Alice flushed. She hadn't known that Mel was pregnant. Alice was many things, but she wouldn't murder an innocent child. She cut the ropes binding Mel's wrists so she could restore circulation to the area. Alice also gave her a crust of bread and some water, which Mel took readily enough.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were pregnant."

  Mel glared at Alice over the crust of her bread but didn't say anything. Alice cleared her throat and pressed on.

  "I don't want to kill you, given your condition, but I need to know where your friend is."

  Mel looked up and narrowed her eyes. "You're the one who kidnapped her, aren't you?"

  "Yes."

  "Who are you?"

  "No one of importance. I don't have time for your questions, Lady Atchkinson. Either you tell me where I can find Kristen, or you will lose that child."

  Mel gasped. "You're a monster!" She spat angrily, tears sparkling in her eyes.

  Alice felt every bit the monster, but there was nothing for it. She would not go back to Adrian. "You're welcome to believe whatever you like, but that doesn't change the fact that the choice is yours. Your friend, or the life of your child."

  To drive her point home, Alice pulled a wicked looking knife from a satchel that sat on a table near the women. She walked behind Mel and wrapped her free arm around Mel's upper body as she laid the knife across Mel's stomach. Mel inhaled sharply, and she felt miserable for the choice she was making.

  "She's gone with Derrick to Morocco." Mel cried.

  Alice ground her teeth and tossed the knife to the side, standing up and kicking the small table that held the satchel. All kinds of wicked looking instruments tumbled out of the bag as it hit the ground. Mel inhaled sharply at the sight of them, and recoiled in fear as she looked at Alice.

  Mel had no idea who this woman was, or what she wanted with Kristen, but it couldn't be good. She just hoped that Kristen would be able to forgive her when this was all done.

  Chapter 27

  Derrick's ship sailed smoothly into the harbor, and the men threw the anchor overboard. At the sound of the splash, Kristen was overcome with nerves. She had met Derrick's other three brothers, but that had been at social gatherings before she had become involved with Derrick, and there was positively no pressure. Now she was meeting Tristan, the pirate, and no matter how hard she tried, that little fact would not recede to the back of her mind.

  "Are you nervous, little one?" He asked as he noticed her trembling.

  "A little." She admitted.

  It was strange, but she felt as if she could be honest with him, for the most part. They had just shared their secrets with one another, well most of them anyway, and neither was concerned with the other's. There was still more she had to tell him, though. So, in that way, she was nervous. But, overall, she felt confident that she could at least be honest with Derrick.

  "You've nothing to fear, m'dear. Tristan will love you just as the rest of my family does."

  The promise had a strange effect on Kristen. Suddenly, she would give anything to feel his arms around her, so she wrapped hers around his waist. Derrick smiled as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. His little one was brazen, and she was endearing herself to him more and more each day they spent together. It was becoming exceedingly difficult to picture his life without her.

  They left the ship and went to shore where they were greeted by a couple of dirty looking pirates.

  "Well, I be a great son of a camel's turd, it's Derrick!" One said with affection.

  The one who had spoken was tall, broad of shoulders, and extremely dark skinned. Kristen could well imagine he was a fierce pirate and shivered at the cruelness she felt from him. The shorter of the two took notice of Kristen and spoke next, leaning in close to Kristen as he spoke.

  "I say, Derrick, what's with
the wench? Could we have her then?"

  Kristen grabbed the little man's ear and kicked him in the groin. He howled in pain and doubled over while his companion laughed so hard he snorted.

  “Spirited, she is. I would enjoy breaking her in, but the look on your face would suggest she belongs to you, Derrick.”

  Kristen noted that Derrick did indeed look ready to commit murder. But, she was furious that they were talking about her as if she weren't even there, so she decided to contribute to the conversation whether they liked it or not.

  “I belong to no one.” She replied angrily.

  “I don't believe you were spoken to, m'lady, so be good enough to stay out of our conversation.”

  “I'm sorry, were you speaking? My apologies, I don't speak idiocy, so you'll have to repeat what you said in English if you please.”

  Derrick burst out laughing. “Ben, you have no chance of winning with this particular lady. I would not cross her were I you, for her bite and her bark are equally painful.”

  “Wherever did you find her?” He asked, ready to slap her for her insolent mouth.

  He had, in fact, taken a step closer to her. Derrick's laughter stopped abruptly and his amber eyes began to glow, a warning sign the men were quite familiar with. Ben withdrew and raised his hands in surrender.

  “Apologies, Derrick. She took me by surprise, merely a reaction.”

  “See that you remember she is under my protection, and as such, whoever lays a hand on her or even so much as threatens her will have me to deal with. Make it known.”

  He grabbed Kristen's elbow and walked around the men. Kristen turned her head and grinned at the pirates who were scowling at her most resentfully.

  “Do not provoke him, Kristen.”

  “Why not? He provoked me.”

  “I can't always be with you and I wouldn't like it if something happened to you.”

  “Rubbish, I can take care of myself and well you know it.” She said indignantly.

  He smiled indulgently. “Yes, little one, but these men are pirates and they will not fight fairly. You cannot take on an entire crew of pirates alone.”

  “Alright, alright. You've made your bloody point!” She jerked her arm from his grasp and crossed them sullenly over her chest.

  “By the by, if you ever try to kick me where you did Aron, I will bend you over my knee and spank you.” He said in all seriousness.

  “D'you promise?” She cooed.

  Derrick laughed and shook his head. The woman was incorrigible.

  ***

  They reached the path that led to the house and continued down until it stopped at the front door. Kristen was enjoying the scenery of the island as she had never been out of Europe before. When the house came into view, it only added to her enjoyment. Certainly she had seen houses more grand, but she decided it was the simplicity and elegance that made this particular home more beautiful. The style of the house was not one found in England, she was sure.

  There were large white pillars that stood in the front with a gold brocade design wrapped around them. Directly connected to them was a simple wooden porch that sported an assortment of chairs and tables assembled to sit and enjoy the evening. One piece in particular caught her fancy and her eyes lit up when she saw it. The swinging bench was hanging from the overhead patio, and like the columns, it had that gold brocade design on it, with a soft, dark blue cushion covering it. Kristen could well imagine herself in a house like this one, swinging idly with Derrick by her side, enjoying the breezy afternoon or the tempting evenings. She shook the thought from her head, though. It was still far too dangerous to her peace of mind.

  Derrick noticed her look of happiness and wanted to make her feel that way all the time. He had asked her to marry him, not because he had taken her virtue, though that had been his excuse at the time, at least to himself. But, upon closer examination, he realized that he enjoyed Kristen's company and had no desire to leave her side. He wanted to make her smile, make her cry out in pleasure, but mostly he wanted her to want him. She seemed willing to do so thus far, except she still refused to marry him. He didn't understand it. His thoughts already in disarray, he again noticed her smiling at the house. For some reason, Derrick became angry. Ever since he had met Kristen, he had feelings that were totally irrational and he couldn't explain, at least not logically anyway. His only outlet had been to take them out on Kristen, which he did now.

  “Don't go falling in love with my brother, d'you hear?” We won't be staying long and he wouldn't want you anyway, soiled dove that you are.” He said harshly.

  Kristen gasped, taken aback. She hadn't done anything to provoke him and only this morning they had been sharing secrets with one another. Where the devil had that come from, and who did he think he was, speaking to her like that, she thought angrily. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as it often did when her temper was flaring.

  “Well, if he's anything like you, you arrogant ass, then I don't foresee that being a problem.” She replied tartly and brushed passed him to the door.

  Derrick was contrite. He hadn't meant to be so harsh with her, and it certainly wasn't her fault that he was having a hard time controlling his anger. He smiled at her words, though. She had no idea how close to the mark she was on Tristan and himself being alike. He'd not told her, but there was no hope of telling her now either, for the front door opened abruptly and they were facing a tall, slender maid. Kristen thought her exotic looking with her almond shaped, black eyes and glossy black hair swaying gently in the wind. The woman briefly glanced at Kristen, but when her eyes rested on Derrick, she immediately smiled and her entire face lit up.

  “Derrick.” She cooed. “It's been much too long. Tristan has been anxious to see you.” She hugged him, causing Kristen to stiffen considerably next to him.

  “I won't be staying long. I've just dropped by to discuss some business with Tristan. He is home, isn't he?”

  “Yes, his ship suffered some damage and he is home making the necessary repairs.”

  Derrick nodded and grabbed Kristen's elbow to lead her inside the house. Once they had stopped in the foyer, Kristen yanked her elbow from his grasp and crossed them defensively over her chest. He gave her a questioning look, but she was still angry with his harsh words and then his deliberate flirtation with the maid, who had at least disappeared for the time being, so she turned her back on him. She pretended to show interest in the items around her, but if she were being honest with herself, she was really just a little jealous. She almost snorted over the irony of the situation she had created for herself.

  She had wanted a marriage with no strings attached, and no emotion to enter into the business of it, though she hoped that perhaps one day she might feel something for her husband. But, the 'no strings attached' part she certainly had with Derrick. She could even enjoy Derrick's lovemaking, a circumstance that would make having children much easier. And, therein lied the problem. She enjoyed Derrick too much, and it hurt that he didn't return her affections. She wanted more than he could give her, and that would just make her miserable. Then, there was also the fact that she couldn't want him because it would be putting his life in danger. The constant pull on her emotions was taking its toll and she felt acutely irritable indeed.

  “Well, well if it isn't my long lost brother. How the hell have you been? It's been too long, and I have much to tell you!” A thickset man said as he grabbed Derrick in an embrace.

  Derrick was so broad himself that Kristen couldn't see his brother, though she was certainly trying. She was particularly interested in seeing if this particular brother was as handsome as the rest she had already met.

  “I've much to discuss with you, as well. In fact, you must meet Kristen.”

  “Kristen?” The man asked confused. “Since when do you bring women with you to my island?” Kristen thought he sounded almost affronted.

  Derrick chuckled. “Kristen, meet Tristan.” He stepped aside so that Kristen could get a goo
d look at him.

  Kristen was smiling, an effort on her part so that she could make a good impression. As she looked at Tristan, though, her smile faded and rather quickly. It was replaced with a frown, then a scowl at Derrick. They were bloody twins. Identical twins, though Kristen noted that Tristan's eyes didn't seem to light up the way Derrick's did.

  “I'm sure you're bloody well pleased with yourself, considering the conversation we had on the way in.” She grouched at Derrick.

  “Well, seems that you've nothing to worry about since we're so much alike.” He replied dryly.

  “On the contrary, I believe I like the look of him much better.” She purred, leaning into Tristan and smiling the smile that had men swooning at her feet.

  “It's very nice to meet you, Tristan. I've heard so much about you, other than how devilishly handsome you are, of course. That little tidbit was kept from me.” She ran a finger over his chest and batted her lashes at him.

  “The pleasure is all mine, I do assure you. However, if the look on my brother's face is any indication, I'd say you were most definitely spoken for, more's the pity.”

  Kristen smiled. This truly was too easy, goading Derrick. She wanted to show him what it was like to see her fawn over another man in front of him. Served him right. She just hoped his ego wouldn't be too bruised.

  “Posh! That brother of yours has assured me that he has no time for women, and he certainly wouldn't know what to do with one when he had her.” She had struck below the belt and knew it, but he had done much the same. Turn about was fair play. It wasn't her fault if he could hand it out, but not take it in turn.

  Both Derrick and Tristan looked at her as if she had sprouted another head. It wasn't ladylike to say such things, but even more so, to insult a man in front of his family was just downright rude. Perhaps this was how Kristen could rid herself of Derrick completely. But, the thought made her want to cry, so she set that to the side for the time being. Tristan recovered first and threw back his head in raucous laughter. Derrick scowled at them both, not the least bit amused. She grinned evilly at Derrick as he started for her.