Destiny of the Heart (Viking Destiny)

by K. Young

  “You mean to tell me the only reason you've not married before now was because of Charlie?”

  “Certainly not. I had other reasons, but also, I've never had the urge. No one has caught my fancy the way Kristen has.”

  Tristan took a deep breath and looked at his brother thoughtfully. He supposed he was being a bit harsh on him, but if Derrick settled down, Tristan would never see him. Derrick was the last tie Tristan had to his family and Scott was deliberately driving a wedge between them. Of course, Tristan's grousing certainly didn't help the situation. He decided that while he didn't care for this new development, he should give Derrick the benefit of the doubt.

  "You're falling for her." Tristan said.

  “Bite your tongue. I admit she is intriguing and I wish for her to be near; however, I'm not “falling” for her.” Derrick said stiffly. He wasn't ready to admit that maybe he was just a little bit in love with her.

  Tristan snorted. “If you say so, brother. But, I see no reason why you should worry over your other reasons. Seems to me you've already won the lady.”

  Derrick scowled. “You'd think so wouldn't you? But no, she has refused me.”

  The glass that was midway to Tristan's mouth stopped. "I beg your pardon?"

  "She said no."

  "Yes, I heard that. Have you completely taken leave of your senses? You have a marriage contract, Derrick. Her answer is a moot point."

  Derrick shrugged. "Her answer is important to me."

  "Bloody women! They cause the most atrocious behavior in men. Even the most sensible, logical man can become a blathering idiot when a woman is involved."

  "You know, you're in an awfully chipper mood there, dear brother. Having lady troubles of your own?" Derrick teased.

  Tristan scowled. He knew Derrick was only teasing, but the lad had no idea just how close to the mark he was with that jibe. He was of a mind to push Derrick just so he would be inclined to a fight. It would serve Tristan right to get some sense knocked into him, and Derrick was the only one to do it. A bloody pirate...in love! But, he would not be telling his brother that bit of nonsense.

  “So, is Kristen the only reason you stopped by?” Tristan asked curtly.

  “I hadn't planned to stop by at all to be honest, but Jack seemed to think I needed some sense beat into me. My men are at the tavern, by the by.”

  "Seems you could have sent a letter with this bit of news, Derrick." Tristan swiped his glass and stood to go stand by the window.

  Derrick frowned. "Yes, I could have. But, there's a little more to the story, and something I was hoping you might be able to help me with."

  "I can hardly stand the suspense." Tristan said sourly.

  "Kristen and I can leave if we're that big an

  inconvenience."

  Tristan grimaced at his reflection in the mirror but didn't turn around. "It's your call, brother."

  "What the devil is the matter with you?!" Derrick asked, loudly.

  It wasn't like Tristan to be so distant, and Derrick got the impression that it was more than Kristen or Chelsea that was weighing on him.

  "Nothing."

  "Horse shit."

  Tristan turned and furrowed his brow at his brother's foul language. They were gentlemen, and didn't speak that way, though Tristan supposed he was more pirate than gentleman these days. He turned back to the window. He heard Derrick stand up from his chair and set the empty brandy glass down.

  "Very well, I'll leave. But, whatever this is needs to find a resolution, Tristan. When I do get Kristen to agree to marry me, I'll damn well expect you there."

  Derrick turned for the door.

  "Wait." Tristan said as he leaned his forehead against the window. "Sit down."

  Derrick sat down and waited as Tristan wrestled with whatever it was he needed to say.

  "Has Scott ever explained why he kicked me out of the family?"

  "Yes. He said that you were detrimental to the family name with all your scandals."

  Tristan laughed and shook his head. "And you believed that?"

  "Well, you didn't deny it. We all thought it was rather ridiculous given Charlie's preferences. Why do you ask?"

  "Because, you need to know the truth."

  Derrick sat forward, his features schooled into a grave mask. Tristan never wanted to disappoint Derrick. Of all the people in the world, Tristan had always promised to watch out for his younger brother. The two had been inseparable in their youth, and Tristan was afraid he would lose his entire family. The knowledge had been weighing heavily on his mind, and honestly that was the only excuse he had for his recent behavior. But, Tristan was losing himself and he needed something, though he wasn't sure what. Absolution, perhaps.

  Tristan cleared his throat. He had faced many foes as a pirate, but he couldn't remember feeling more nervous. "Do you remember when the rumors first started about Charlie?"

  "Yes."

  "That one guy, the one who said he and Charlie had...that is, they...you know?"

  "Yes."

  "Scott wanted to buy him off, but Charlie insisted that he had never touched the guy."

  "Right. But, Scott didn't believe him."

  "Well, I did."

  "Ok, so did I. What's your point?"

  "Scott means well, but sometimes I think he sets the family aside for the sake of his responsibilities. He wasn't interested in setting the record straight, he just wanted it to go away. He does that, he throws money at - "

  "Tristan." Derrick interrupted.

  Tristan swallowed the last of his brandy, not sure it was going to help. "I went to visit him, Derrick. I only meant to scare him."

  Derrick exhaled slowly, an unpleasant feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. "You didn't."

  "It was mostly an accident, I swear. We argued, I pushed him. I only meant for him to confess that he made the whole story up. But, then he fell down the stairs and broke his neck."

  "Tristan - "

  "I sent for Charlie and Scott. I'm a lot of things, but I didn't mean to kill him."

  "Charlie knew about this, too?" Derrick asked angrily.

  Tristan nodded. Derrick couldn't recall a time when Tristan looked so emotional. It was hard to witness, but regardless, if it was an accident, it didn't explain why Scott had banished him.

  "I don't understand, Tristan. If it was an accident, why did Scott banish you?"

  "Because he doesn't believe it was an accident. I almost can't blame him. I'm not you; I don't have the idealistic view of the world. I was so bored with life in London it was making me sick. So, I started fights and ruined reputations for my own amusement. Looking back, I'm not proud. But, Scott and Charlie thought it best I leave for awhile."

  "Wait...Charlie thought it best you leave, too?"

  "They were afraid I'd become a bad influence on you."

  "What? Why are you just now telling me this?"

  "I was worried they were right."

  "That wasn't your call to make, or theirs. I can make my own decisions, thank you very much."

  "I know."

  "This is nonsense. You're coming home, end of discussion."

  Tristan snorted. "Don't rightly have a home to come to, now do I?"

  Derrick scowled. “Blister it, Tristan. You are as much a part of the family as I am. If you would just swallow your pride and talk to Scott, you would “

  Tristan held up a hand to stop Derrick. He had no interest in rehashing old arguments. “I didn't leave by choice, Derrick. Scott kicked me out. Told me to find something more indicative to my nature. I believe his exact words included pirate in them. It was his bloody idea, so I'll not be the first to swallow my pride, as you say.”

  Derrick growled. He had been trying for five years to get either brother to make an overture. Both were being unduly stubborn about it, and Derrick was afraid that he would never be able to get them to see reason. On top of that, he just discovered Charlie was a part of it, too. And, Tristan had killed someone innocent. A good thr
ashing was certainly in order, but death? Derrick's whole world was caving in around him and he had trouble breathing. He leaned back in the chair and stared at his brother.

  "Well, say something Derrick." Tristan said anxiously.

  "Tell me about Chelsea."

  Tristan fidgeted with his brandy glass before walking back to the table to pour himself some more. "You're not going to like the story." Tristan warned.

  "I gathered that by the way Kristen slapped you. She doesn't usually slap open-handed, you know. Usually it is a closed-fist. I'll have to think on what that means exactly, but I don't think it's good." Derrick stated.

  Tristan gave him a sour look as he resumed his seat in the chair by the fire place. He took a long sip from the brandy, buying himself some time, but Derrick was having none of that.

  "Good lord, Tristan. Is it really that bad?"

  "I came across her ship near a small island called Puerto Rico. I had some crew members who had been with actual pirates before me and thought to do things differently. There was even talk of mutiny. I had to show a strong front, or risk everyone on that ship being killed and myself being marooned. So, we boarded the ship and looted it, which is fine. But, one of the crew took a fancy to Chelsea. He wanted to keep her as spoils of war, and you can just imagine the horrors she would have seen at his hands. So, I challenged him for her." Tristan leaned back in his chair.

  "And?" Derrick prompted.

  "And nothing. I won."

  "Yes, but surely you could have returned her to her family when you dismissed those crew members. You did dismiss them, didn't you?"

  "Yes, of course." Tristan snapped.

  "Very well, why didn't you return the girl?"

  This was the part of the story that Tristan had tried many times to understand himself, but each time it became less and less clear to him. He swirled the brandy in his glass, wondering if Derrick would even speak to him after this next part.

  "I didn't want to return her. I wanted to keep her here, with me. I don't really know why, but I did. And, when we got back, one thing led to another and now she is staying."

  Derrick sat forward. "What do you mean, 'one thing lead to another?'" He asked sharply.

  Tristan frowned. Well, Derrick hadn't come right out and accused him of rape or anything, but it was damn close. Still, Tristan felt a little uncomfortable with this part of the conversation and didn't wish to continue it.

  "It's of no import - "

  "Please tell me you didn't." Derrick said sternly.

  "Didn't what?" Tristan asked, defensive.

  "You didn't rape her, did you?" Derrick asked, not wanting to believe his brother was that far gone.

  "I coaxed her. But, she cried all night after that." Tristan said, disgusted.

  Derrick leaned back. That was toeing the line and he didn't know what to say. Being out to sea was changing Tristan in ways that Derrick wasn't certain was good for him. Though it was obvious that Tristan and Chelsea liked each other, Tristan hadn't acted as a gentleman and that bothered Derrick. He frowned.

  "Well, say something." Tristan snapped after several moments of silence.

  "What would you have me say, Tristan? I don't believe you acted in a gentlemanly fashion, but this is your life. You're not a gentleman anymore, you're a pirate. So, in accordance with that, I think you acted the part."

  Tristan nodded. Derrick had always been the gentleman of the family. The others followed the social decorum, but Derrick never mistreated a woman. Even those he saw for pleasure were treated with respect and he never made promises he couldn't keep. Derrick was often disappointed with Tristan's harsher decisions, and he had stopped speaking to Tristan during the fiasco where he had purposely gotten caught with Lady Cecilia Renault. To be fair, the woman was spreading vicious rumors about Charlie. Tristan thought it was only fair to show her how a little gossip could quite ruin a person if they weren't careful. But, it was still a lowly pirate sort of thing to do.

  "I didn't hurt her." Tristan insisted.

  "I'm sure she feels differently."

  "Fine. I'm a horrible human being. Perhaps you should denounce me just as Scott has."

  Derrick shot out of his chair. "Don't you dare use that as an excuse for your behavior, Tristan. You were a cad before you left. I'm sure you remember Cecilia Renault. Some things are unacceptable brother, but don't guilt me because I understand the line."

  Tristan shot out of his chair and came nose to nose with Derrick. "And don't you walk into my home and presume to lecture me as if you were my elder. I didn't take it well from Scott, and I'll not take it well from you."

  "Fine. We're leaving."

  Derrick spun on his heel and set the brandy glass down on the table, then stalked to the door. Derrick was positively fuming inside, and he had no idea what had happened. One minute he was glad to see his brother and the next he was angry and ready to beat some sense into him. That was the way it had always been with Tristan. He was capable of being a decent fellow, but there was certainly a dark side in him that made him deliberately cruel. It went far deeper than Charlie, and Derrick wasn't sure if even Tristan knew what caused it.

  "Alright, alright...you bloody well win." Tristan grouched miserably from his chair.

  Derrick stopped at the door and took a deep breath. He turned back to Tristan.

  "It would be better if you didn't tell the rest of the family that particular story." Derrick said evenly.

  "I know."

  "What do you plan to do about it?"

  "I don't know."

  "May I suggest you do the honorable thing for once?" Derrick asked, his tone laced with reproach.

  "Watch it, Derrick."

  "Fine, but I know you are a better person than you let on to others. This isn't you, and I suggest you figure out what it is you want in life before you destroy the people who care about you most. I think I'll adjourn to the library for awhile."

  With that, Derrick left Tristan sitting in his chair with his miserable thoughts.

  ***

  "Alright, when Tristan comes toward you from the front you can most likely surprise him with a simple hit. Take you palm and thrust upward like so." Kristen demonstrated the move to Chelsea. "Aim for his nose and put all of your strength into the hit. This will cause him to tear up and buy you a little more time."

  Chelsea imitated Kristen's movements and practiced it on her own while Kristen watched.

  "Good. Now, you need to make sure that your stances doesn't give you away as he approaches. You will lose the element of surprise, and then the move can be easily deflected."

  "But, how am I to keep my balance and hit him if I am standing incorrectly?" Chelsea asked, confused.

  Kristen smiled. "It will take some practice, but it is possible. Try standing as you normally would and hit my hand. The strength of the hit should come from the movement of your waist, not your shoulders."

  She held up her hand for Chelsea to hit. Chelsea wasn't so sure about it, but she took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders as Kristen had taught her to do. Then, she struck out and hit Kristen's hand. It connected solidly and there was a loud smacking sound.

  She was only slightly disappointed to see that Kristen didn't even flinch.

  "Good, but you're still preparing your stance. Tristan will recognize it immediately and have you flipped on your back in record time. Just stand as you normally would, but perhaps a little sideways. It may help your momentum with the blow."

  Chelsea nodded and turned to her right in a sideways stance. She repeated her previous steps and swung around to hit Kristen's palm. There was another loud crack. Kristen still didn't flinch, but at least she smiled brightly.

  "Much better!" Kristen exclaimed. "You definitely should be to the side with this one, it just looks more natural. Now, let's say he comes at you from behind. He will most likely wrap his arms around you like so." She stepped behind Chelsea and embraced her intimately.

  Chelsea blushed, knowing it was one of T
ristan's favorite things to do. Also knowing that when he did reach for her like that, she could tell herself he wasn't all bad and actually believe it. She shook her head. Now was not the time to doubt herself when help was at hand. Kristen released Chelsea and launched into an explanation on what she needed to do. When she finished explaining it, Chelsea gasped and looked at Kristen in disbelief.

  "Kristen, I am not sure that I could hit him there. When I was young, I accidentally hit my brother there and it sent my father into a rage. He told me to never hit a man there, no matter the reason."

  "Well, I'm sure your father would change his mind in this case. Trust me, alright?" Kristen smiled and Chelsea nodded hesitantly. "Excellent. Now, let me see you do the move. Pretend I'm Tristan and I'm coming in to wrap my arms around you."

  Kristen moved toward Chelsea, and she took a deep breath to prepare herself, relaxing her shoulders and stance. When Kristen made contact, she did what Kristen had told her. She bent her knees, dropping her weight and leaning to the side, jabbed an elbow into Kristen's stomach, stomped on her food, and then lowered her fist into Kristen's groin area. Kristen took each hit in stride and felt good knowing she was helping someone help themselves. “Not bad. Just make sure the groin hit is more forceful. The harder you hit, the longer Tristan will leave you alone. Now, let's see it again.” Chapter 29

  "You did the right thing by coming to me, my pet." Adrian slid a finger down Alice's cheek as she stood before him.

  Once Lady Atchkinson had given Alice the information she needed, she returned her home with the promise to return and finish the job if the lady so much as breathed a word about what happened. Alice knew Lady Atchkinson was a resourceful lady and would find a plausible excuse for her absence, but Alice's bigger issue was that with Kristen out to sea with Derrick, Alice wouldn't make her deadline...again. The only option had been to do to Adrian and tell him the circumstances in hopes that he would give her and extension.

  "Do I get the extension, then?" Alice asked tightly.

  Adrian slapped her hard across the cheek he had moments ago been caressing. Her head snapped to the side with the force of the slap, and when she looked back at him, anger sparked her vivid green eyes.