by K. Young
understand her hesitation if she had been told otherwise. But,
he still felt like there was more. Something else was holding
her back from him.
"Kristen - "
“Please don't. I don't want to argue. I've agreed to
marry you, for better or worse, so perhaps this arrangement
will suit us amicably. I require children of you, but beyond that,
you are free to do as you wish. We can get to the specifics of
the contract tomorrow as there are some things you should
know, but there is also quite a bit of money that passes to you
with our marriage.”
“You're the most infuriating person I've ever met! Has it
even crossed your mind that perhaps I don't want my life to
continue the way it was before and perhaps that is part of the
reason I asked you to marry me?” He yelled.
Kristen just stared at him, not sure what to say. She
was certainly curious to know what other reasons he had for
wanting to marry her, but she didn't think he would answer.
And, Derrick was fit to be tied he was so angry. How dare she
suggest that he keep living as he was? Stubborn woman that
she was.
“I need some air.” He said and walked to the door she
was still blocking. “Excuse me.” He said roughly.
Kristen moved to the side, and Derrick slammed out of
the room. She swiped angrily at her tears, cursing herself for
the emotional weakness. She didn't know what was wrong
with her, but she knew if she kept up her fishwife theatrics,
Derrick would grow weary. She couldn't help it. She wasn't
entirely honest with him about not trusting him; she did. And,
she felt certain he would be faithful to her, knowing that
Derrick had no such reputation around town.
What really bothered her was that she was putting him
in danger for her own selfish reasons, and she didn't know
how to tell him. It was he who shouldn't trust her. But, her
emotions got the better of her and it was simply easier to take
them out on Derrick. She sighed heavily and walked to the
chair by the window. The sea was calm that day, and Kristen
desperately needed calm.
Chapter 30
Derrick stomped down the stairs, anger accentuating every step. He was pretty sure the whole island could hear him coming down the stairs, but he didn't care. Things with Kristen were a vortex of emotions that he was struggling to figure out. It was all so new to him and he was never sure which way to go with her. But, he supposed that was one of the things he liked about Kristen, the fact that she always kept him on his toes. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he headed straight for his brother's study. He didn't bother to knock, just walked right on in. A privilege afforded only to Derrick.
"She bloody well agreed to marry me. Do you have a priest on hand?" He asked tersely and grabbed the brandy before falling into a chair near the fireplace.
Tristan frowned at his brother from behind his desk.
"You know, for something you wanted so desperately an hour ago, you seem a bit displeased with the results."
"Aye."
"Explain."
"Where the devil did it come from? She said no just before I made love to her and then right after she agreed. Was she caught up in the moment or was she serious. I don't know. But, it felt more like she had simply resigned herself to it. When I asked her about it, her response was "why not?" As if this is an everyday occurrence in her life, saying yes to marriage proposals."
"Why look a gift horse in the mouth? Women and their idiosyncrasies will always be a mystery."
Derrick snorted and poured himself a glass, then quickly downed it. His block scowl wasn't much improved with the alcohol.
"She spouted some nonsense about me and the maids here warming my bed, but I know there is something she isn't telling me."
"Did you tell her you have never tumbled the maids here, despite their best efforts?"
"No."
"It might help."
"It's not important. She said that only because I pressed her, and she only suspected that when we arrived, not having prior knowledge of you or the island."
"You could try asking her what it is, you know?"
"I could." Derrick took a drink. "But, I don't think she would tell me. Kristen isn't exactly an open book."
"Well, I'm afraid I'll be of no help then. I'm not exactly the emotional type, but there is a parson somewhere on this island. I'll send someone to town to fetch him. I don't suppose Kristen has a trousseau?”
“It's likely that she does, but it didn't make this trip. Come to think of it, neither of us are entirely certain how she came to be on my ship. If I had to guess, I'd say Oliver had something to do with that.”
“Oliver?”
“Another long story.”
“It seems I am missing quite a bit of fun back home, indeed I am.” Tristan laughed.
“Perhaps you should return home and find out.” Derrick added hopefully.
“No.” Tristan's eyes twinkled despite his adamant refusal.
Derrick sighed. “Very well. Do you think Chelsea has anything that Kristen could wear?”
“Perhaps. I'll see what I can do.”
“Excellent. Now, be a good chap and distract me.”
Derrick and Tristan drank themselves into a stupor until the dinner bell rang. As they got up to meet the ladies, they were tripping and laughing over themselves. Neither were in a condition to be around women, but they couldn't bring themselves to bow out from dinner. They walked as best they could to the stairs to greet their ladies, but had to lean on each other for support.
Chelsea reached the bottom first and gave Tristan a disgusted look. He laughed and offered her his arm, but she brushed past him with a smug look on her face. Tristan looked at his brother, and Derrick did his best not to laugh, but it was too much. Derrick doubled over and held himself up with his hands on his knees. Tristan scowled and pushed him causing Derrick to topple over. Both brothers started laughing and pointing at each other. Kristen and Chelsea were simply annoyed.
“Really, Derrick. It's not that funny.” Kristen said dryly.
Tristan sobered a little at the scathing look Chelsea was giving him and turned to follow her into the dining room. Kristen rounded on Derrick and tsked loudly as she helped him up from the floor.
“Thank you, m'dear.” Derrick added as he held onto her.
“You're welcome.” She tried to walk away, but he held her close.
Derrick looked her over. She had changed for dinner and looked positively fetching in the rose colored gown she had no doubt borrowed from Chelsea. The color was rather flattering with her honey blonde hair and blue eyes. Derrick looked down at himself and was slightly embarrassed that he hadn't changed. Getting foxed with his brother had left little time to think of anything else. But, the sudden realization that he now had the right to buy her as many dresses as she wished made him smile and forget his own embarrassment.
Kristen returned his smile, though she had no idea what he found so amusing. She didn't think it was her because he had been looking her over appreciatively. She wanted to look beautiful for him at dinner, and she was quite pleased to see that she achieved the desired result. The fact that he hadn't changed for dinner was a comfort to her. She was already nervous and if he had dressed up for dinner, she would have been an absolute mess.
Kristen never imagined her wedding would be a grand spectacle, but she expected something more than getting married on a small island with naught but her future husband with her. She had long ago come to terms with the fact that her mother would never see her get married, but had at least taken solace in the fact that Mel would be there. Now, she wouldn't ev
en have that. She didn't blame Derrick, though.
“You look beautiful, darlin'.” He slurred over his words.
Kristen snorted. “You're drunk. I suspect the floor looks beautiful to you right now.”
Derrick wrinkled his nose. “That's a disgusting word. Gentlemen do not get drunk.” He swayed into her and breathed on her face as he spoke.
Kristen leaned back and grimaced. “Your breath says otherwise.”
Derrick frowned and blew into his hand, sniffing it. The sight was rather funny to Kristen, and she covered her mouth trying to hide her grin. Derrick saw it, though. He smiled and winked at her.
“Shall we go in to dinner, m'dear?” He offered her his arm.
“Yes.”
Kristen took his offered arm and they walked into the dining room. Derrick walked her to her seat and held the chair for her. That small consideration warmed her heart because it was usually the servants who held the chairs for the ladies. And, if Chelsea's look of longing were any indication, Tristan had not done the same for her.
“Well, now that we're all gathered, would either of you ladies like to tell me what you did today?” Tristan asked conversationally.
To give him credit, he realized that Derrick had just made things harder for him where Chelsea was concerned. He offered to fill her plate for her, but Chelsea wasn't impressed.
“Nothing that would interest a cold-blooded pirate such as yourself.” Chelsea spat.
“Oh, I think you might be surprised what interests a coldblooded pirate such as myself, m'dear.” He grabbed her hand and began sucking gently on her fingers, his tone sensual and his look smoldering.
Chelsea blushed. Kristen smiled. Derrick chuckled.
“I say, ol' man, perhaps Kristen and I should leave you two alone, eh?” Derrick winked at his brother.
But, Chelsea was in a state of panic. It was bad enough that Tristan was violating her right there in front of everyone, but for Derrick to suggest leaving them alone was too much. She yanked her hand from his grasp and began speaking to Kristen in her own language.
“No, please. Do not leave me alone with this monster!”
“Enough, Chelsea. When you are around me, you will speak English, unless of course it is in passion, then your language is permissible. Now, be a good girl and tell me what you said.” He smiled at her.
“No, I don't believe I will.” She lifted her chin a notch in defiance.
Kristen burst out laughing. Her eyes lit up and she seemed genuinely happy in that moment. It was a sight Derrick would never forget, and one he intended to see more often.
But, Tristan didn't see what was so bloody funny. Perhaps it was the fog of drink, but he had the distinct impression that these two were conspiring against him, and they had just managed to one up him. It didn't sit well with him. He rounded on her and narrowed his eyes.
“Since you seem to find it so amusing, why don't you tell me what she said.” He demanded.
“No, I don't believe I will.”
This time Chelsea joined Kristen in their laughter. Tristan looked at Derrick for help, but Derrick just shrugged. He didn't think they would ever fully understand these two women, but he was also of a mind that they had somehow just been one upped. At Tristan's sour look, Derrick burst out laughing, which only caused Kristen and Chelsea to laugh harder. Soon even Tristan was laughing and the mood in the room turned a bit more cheerful.
The servants brought the meal, and the four of them took turns telling stories of their childhood. It was pleasant, and Kristen found she was actually enjoying herself. Her troubles forgotten for the moment, she decided to tell the story of how she had met Mel. She laughed with everyone else, for it was a funny story, but she fell short when she again remembered that Mel would not be there to see her get married. She rose from the table, tears in her eyes.
“Excuse me. I...I must take my leave.” She darted from around the table and ran out the door before the tears started streaming from her eyes.
Derrick rose to go after her, confused and worried, but Chelsea drew him up short.
“No. Leave her be. You and Tristan are much alike, no? You care only for yourselves and no others?” She asked coldly. Her heart ached to see her friend so tormented.
“What the devil are you blathering about woman?” Tristan asked, annoyed.
Derrick simply looked at her, his face devoid of any emotion.
“Can you not tell how unhappy she is? It is not that she must marry you, for I think that is something she wanted to do anyway. But, to force her to marry you here, where she has no family or friends present to witness her day. That is something a woman wants no matter the circumstances. Second to that is that she loves you. She does not say it, but I know. If you do not return her love, then tell her so that she may move on with her life and marry another.”
Derrick ground his teeth and tried to control his rising temper before responding. He knew Chelsea meant well, but if one more person told him to let Kristen marry another man, he might just rip their arms off and beat them to death.
“She will marry no one but me, and that is final. You speak of things you do not know. Kristen is a very
straightforward woman, and if it were love she sought she would have told me that.”
“Something you are conveniently forgetting is that while she is a straightforward woman, she is still a woman. It does not take words for another woman to understand love.” At that point she switched to her language. “As she knew that I was also in love.” Chelsea looked at Tristan sadly.
Tristan had remained quiet during the conversation simply because he agreed with Chelsea. But, when she switched to her own language again, he became angry and opened his mouth to argue. Chelsea knew it was coming and rolled her eyes. She sighed and got up from the table.
“Tristan, you cannot control everything about me, much as you would like to. I will speak my language when it suits me for it is my own.” She turned on her heel and left the two brothers there in the dining room, more confused than they had been earlier, and certainly more frustrated.
Derrick looked at Tristan. Unanimously, “Bloody hell." Chapter 31
The next morning Tristan stood by the French windows in his study. He was contemplating whether or not Derrick would appreciate the wedding gift Tristan planned to give him. There was no help for it now as Kristen was due any moment. Derrick had decided he would seek out the parson himself since he felt honor-bound to apprise the man of the situation and ensure that he would still agree to perform the ceremony. Tristan accepted the opportunity to get to know his sister-inlaw better. As he stood there, staring out to sea, there was a knock on the study door.
"Come in." He called over his shoulder.
The butler opened the door and bowed. "Sir, Lady
Kristen to see you."
"Thank you Eddings, that will be all."
Eddings bowed again and opened the door wider to
admit Kristen. Once she walked inside the study, he quietly closed the door. Kristen looked at the closed door and then turned her suspicious gaze back to Tristan. She had no idea why he requested an audience with her, but whatever it was, she was sure it wasn't good.
"You wanted to see me?" She asked.
Tristan chuckled. "I did, but I assure you, I mean you no harm."
Kristen nodded, but he noted that she did not relax.
"There are a couple of things I wish to discuss with you. I suspect you will have lots of questions, but keep in mind that time is of the essence as Derrick won't be gone long."
Kristen merely raised an eyebrow. She was intrigued, but she would not badger him with questions. Again, Tristan chuckled.
"Derrick said nothing seemed to ruffle your feathers, at least not by way of outward appearance. Perhaps you won't have as many questions as I thought. You are, indeed, quite calm for a woman. But, forgive me, I digress. First of all, Derrick tells me that you do not have your trousseau with you this trip. Allow me to rectify that for yo
u, if I may."
Tristan crossed over to a closet and pulled out an elegant white dress. It was sleeveless, and the bodice portion was covered in a delicate floral stitching studded with diamonds. The material was silk and flowed to the ground, and there was a long train attached. There was also a veil studded with diamonds in the same design as the dress. It looked as though the veil would fall just below the chin.
Kristen gasped, tears flooding her eyes. It was a beautiful gown, and a lovely gesture. Her eyes flew to Tristan's.
“It was my mother's dress. She always said that it was made from love and it would be worn in love. When I left England, I took the dress as a reminder of my family. Though it doesn't seem that way, they are very important to me. I think she would be honored if you wore her dress.”
“Thank you, it is lovely. But, I don't believe I can wear the dress the way she intended. It would not be worn in love and I ”
“Am I quite mistaken then that you do not love my brother?” His amber eyes searched hers, daring her to defy him.
“Tristan, things between your brother and I are complicated. It is not that simple to say that I love him. Certainly I've developed a fondness for him, but that hardly warrants such a gift as your mother's wedding dress.” She lowered her eyes.
“Nevertheless. She would have wanted you to wear the dress. Please, take it.”
`He walked to her and handed her the dress. Then he walked back to his desk and sat down behind it, putting distance between himself and Kristen.
“Now, the second matter. You may wish to sit for this part of our discussion.”
In Kristen's experience, whenever she had been told to sit for something, it was a good idea to heed the advice and she did not deviate from that now. She took the chair opposite Tristan and gently folded the dress across her lap. She looked at Tristan when she was ready.
"I thought it prudent for you to know that none of the maids here, past or present, have warmed Derrick's bed."
Kristen blinked several times, not entirely sure what to say to that. She had begun to suspect that Derrick wasn't actually the rake he lead people to believe he was though she was certain he dallied when there was a need to do so. But, since her decision not to marry him wasn't actually based on that, she had nothing prepared for this discussion.